In a world often driven by transactional relationships, the “Give First” principle emerges as a transformative approach, reshaping the fabric of professional and personal interactions. We used to be protective in the past; as any business idea, if released, could have destroyed a business. But now the world has changed. Innovation is about collaboration, and in this new world; sharing can be your biggest advantages. This is why we need to go from a protective and taker mindset to have a giving mindset. To give, without expectation to receive anything in return. This principle, eloquently championed by Brad Feld and illustrated through Adam Grant’s research, offers a compelling framework for building meaningful and productive networks.
Brad Feld and the Techstars Ethos
Brad Feld, a prominent figure in the startup world, has been a staunch advocate of the “Give First” ethos. As a co-founder of the Foundry Group and an early-stage investor, Feld’s influence is evident in the startup accelerator Techstars, where this principle is ingrained in its code of conduct. The Techstars’ code outlines seven guiding principles, emphasizing proactive help, quick responses within the network, creating virtuous cycles, and appreciating assistance received. This approach underscores the importance of giving without immediate expectations of reciprocity, fostering a community where support and collaboration are paramount.
Adam Grant’s Research: Givers vs. Takers
Adam Grant, in his article “In the Company of Givers and Takers”, contrasts the two archetypes in the professional world: givers, who contribute without seeking returns, and takers, who aim to serve their ends. His insights are further supported by a meta-analysis led by Nathan Podsakoff from the University of Arizona. This study, encompassing 38 organizational behavior studies across more than 3500 business units, discovered a strong correlation between employee giving and positive business outcomes. It found that generosity within an organization leads to increased productivity, profitability, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and lower costs and turnover rates. This research underscores how generosity can significantly impact business success.
Personal Experiences
My journey through Silicon Valley offered a first-hand view of the “Give First” principle in action. When I went to a meet up event, I didn’t even need to ask for help; I shared what I did and people asked me: “did you meet x? he can help for y” and then offered an intro. In Silicon Valley, helping others, sharing knowledge, and making introductions without an immediate quid pro quo is not just a moral choice; it’s a strategic one. This environment taught me the power of building networks by valuing others first.
(on the right, a video of my time in Silicon Valley)
Or another example; for years I have been willing to on calls, where I knew there is nothing for me “in” ; you go on some of them; because I want to solve a larger cause; the one that is beyond youself; and that’s what I call purpose.
Conclusion
The key lies in shifting from a transactional to a relational approach. Instead of giving only when a return is guaranteed, which often leads to selfish behavior, we should focus on being helpful irrespective of the expected return. This mindset shift addresses a larger systemic issue: the prevalent self-focus in professional environments. In today’s multi-stakeholder economy, moving from an ego-centric to an echo-centric approach—focusing on networks with shared intentions rather than solely on oneself—is essential.
Source:
https://www.techstars.com/code-of-conduct
https://hbr.org/2013/04/in-the-company-of-givers-and-takers
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6649387698807275520/
