Givers and Takers

20/07/2020

Good morning leaders,

I hope you feel refreshed from the weekend and you are looking forward to a good week.
‍
This week’s leader’s letter is about Givers and Takers.
‍
Adam Grant the organisational psychologist is well known for his books, podcast and his TED videos.
‍
Adam has created excellent phrases and uses very clear messaging (sprinkled with some humour) from findings and his studies to improve businesses and teach the next generation of leaders.
‍
I highly recommend you watch his TED Talk Are you a giver or a taker?
‍
The Givers and Takers talk and his findings really stand out and will stand the test of time.
‍
As we have all been challenged recently humans show the best and absolute worst of ourselves. However some people have something baked into them that just cannot be shaken off. In problem raisers, problem solvers and problematics I break down in a slightly different direction.
‍
The TLDR of the Adam Grant findings:

‍Takers
‍Takers are ‘what can you do for me’ people. You are likely surrounded by them. Takers progress in the short term and seem to be rewarded. Takers like the name suggest take and rarely think about those around them. Although they raise in organisations quickly, they drop just as quickly.
‍
Givers
‍Givers on the other hand, are for the long game, Givers think about others, they want to improve those around them, they teach, they share, they bring others together for the right reasons.

To quote Adam….
‍“Givers make organisations better”

In this time of change, consider how you want to progress, how you wish for your people to understand you, your leadership and the culture you are trying to create or recreate with the ever changing landscape.

Right now is a great time to address existing issues and issues potentially bubbling up under the surface.
‍
Find the Takers and consider how that one bad apple can really impact your team.
‍
If you are a Giver who was burned, consider how you can embrace your giver side again. Attempt to remove or dilute that bad experience.
‍
Remember when you picture a taker from the present or your past, they generally lose.
‍
If you are a taker, I would recommend you look around you and see how quickly you have impacted the team and consider how you move yourself into giving more and taking a lot less.
‍
Go and give!
‍
Thanks and have a great week.

‍Danny Denhard
‍