Being generous means, give more than needed. How is giving more profitable? We are in the people business, not the jewellery business, not the consultancy business, not the real estate business but people business. We interact with people, we do business with people, and therefore are in the people business. No matter what we offer, we have to deal with people.
Generosity doesn’t always relate to money.
We can also be generous with our time. I would argue being generous with time is more important. If we can serve our client by thinking of what will help save them time, they will be more generous towards us, ultimately making it profitable to be generous. Generosity doesn’t always come easily, I struggle with it from time to time. I have noticed my mentors, and they are very generous with the business information and advice they share. It has 2 main advantages, first, by sharing the information, coming across as an authority in that matter, and secondly by divine deeper in to the subject when questioned by their audiences.
For us to start of with the generosity mind set, it involves celebrating the small wins. This helps with acknowledging the fact that we have accomplished certain things we set out to complete. We get excited about what we finished so far and have the momentum to continue till the end of each project. When we celebrate it give the entire team a greater feeling of self worth. It also helps create a bond and tighten the relationship they have with us. We by default will only be generous when we feel we have enough, this is a great way to start thinking abundantly and sharing more.
Generosity is a positive feeling we give out in the world. Being generous attracts people. It will also help us attract the right team players, ensuring great chance of success in our projects. It will definitely rub off on our clients when done in an authentic way. We have to start seeing being generous as an investment.
When our generosity and actions align we are authentic. Sending gifts during the holidays to our clients, but throughout the year not treating them generously does not add up. It doesn’t build trust. Without trust there can be no relationship, without trust we will not succeed. We need to develop a generosity mind set in which we give occasion or not. We have to give not because we can, but because we get to.
This raises the question, can we be too generous? Can we be taken for granted for the work we are giving up front? There is a difference between making a living and being generous. We should get paid for the craft that we have developed. We can be generous with the information about the craft, or to help our audience.
Doctors are generous with providing information about how to prevent an illness, but if we are unwell and have to have a surgery, it would be silly to ask them for the operation for free. They need to make a living so that they can provide information to us which can be beneficial to us. There are obligations we have to make a living, and then there is being generous.
Generosity might just be one of the secret ingredients for future success. People who will be more generous with the information they share might be more likely to succeed. We have to go first, give valuable information away for free, build trust with the people we serve and the business will take care of itself.
Question: How are you being generous with the knowledge you have?
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Inspired by a conversation between Robert D. Smith and Michael Hyatt
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