Comments on: Living Givers Gain With Your Professional Contacts

By: Jason Alba

Jason Alba — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:41:25 +0000

thanks for your comments everyone

@Marcia, you know what I love about what your mother says? To me, she’s saying “don’t prequalify WHO you are giving to, based on what they may give you back! Give because it’s the right thing to do.” Very cool.

By: Marcia Robinson

Marcia Robinson — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:53:45 +0000

Love the principle and I always add to it, something my Jamaican mother would say, “It is not who you give to, that you get from.”

Giving really does come back and we might miss it, if we are focused on getting only from where we gave!

Marcie

By: Charlotte Weeks

Charlotte Weeks — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:10:15 +0000

I’ve found that if you consistently give of yourself whenever you can, it will definitely come back to you! It can be hard to not focus on your own needs when you’re in a desperate situation (like needing to find a job yesterday!). Keep in mind, people really want to help those who have helped them. Of course, this is not always the case with everyone. However, if you make a habit of giving, you’ll have more people than not willing to do what they can for you.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:44:12 +0000

Hi Jason,

Wow, I needed to read this today. Recently I felt as if I’ve been doing all the giving. I think I was starting to keep track. Hey, I’m only human.

After reading your post, I wrote to someone who has been really helpful and supportive to me. I told her again how much I have appreciated her support.

The giving definitely feels good! Thanks for getting me out of my funk!

By: Karin H

Karin H — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:14:54 +0000

Hi Jason

Ah, the wonders of proper unconditional Givers Gain. Can I just plainly redirect to a blog post?
http://www.thekissbusiness.co.uk/2008/05/passionate-abou.html

I am passionate about givers gain – the right way. Our business wouldn’t be where it is now without it.

Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

By: Jason Alba

Jason Alba — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:49:22 +0000

Roy, great story!

As someone who constantly thinks about people with this question in mind “would I hire this person?,” I can tell you that your email, with good intentions, showed a lot about your own character.

I would want you on my team, because if you’ll do that for one of your guys, I know you’d add tremendous value to my division, treat the customers right, not take all the glory, etc.

So, I missed this point, but living Giver’s Gain is a great way to showcase your integrity (and other characteristics).

By: Roy

Roy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:46:05 +0000

Jason,
Great post. I’m one that absolutely agrees with what you’ve said. I had a similar experience with a job, though not quite your experience.

A few years ago I contacted a VP in a different division at the company where I worked, having heard that he had an opening for a manager. I sent him an email, recommending someone that reported to me (in a management role at the time). I said wonderful things about my guy, and at the end of the note, I added a “P.S.” I wrote that I was interested in learning more about how the VP’s division was structured, what they were working on, etc. He invited me to meet with him for 30 minutes to discuss this.

On the appointed day and hour I arrived. We introduced each other, went into a room and came out 90 minutes later. In that time, I learned about the division, the VP and had a job offer! I didn’t visit him with this in mind at all. Our conversation went really well, and I found out later that he had asked around about me and heard some decent feedback. I took the job.