Give and Take: Book Discussion

Book Discussion

According to Adam Grant, author of Give and Take, “highly successful people have three things in common: motivation, ability, and opportunity. If we want to succeed, [there is] a fourth ingredient, one that’s critical but often neglected: success depends heavily on how we approach our interactions with other people. Do you try to contribute to others without expecting anything in return, do you seek to claim as much value as you can from the relationship, or do you aim for a fair exchange? In short – are you a giver, a taker or a matcher? Grant has found that these three approaches underpin all our relationships and networks.

Givers – give to others without expecting anything in return. They are focused on what others may need from them. They never seem too busy to help out, they give credit to others, mentor generously, and actively share their time, knowledge, ideas, and connections.

Takers – seek to maximize what they can get from others. They see the world as a dog-eat-dog competitive place, and in order to succeed they need to promote their competence and ensure they get credit for their efforts. They become defensive and protective about knowledge and resources.

Matchers – strive for an equal balance of giving and receiving. They believe in fairness, so when they help others they expect an even exchange of favors. They give when they believe they will get something of equal value in return and help those who can help them in return.”

Work through this fascinating book with UA Leads facilitators to identify what type you are and practice strategies to gain balance in your interactions and work with those who have a different approach.