Givers vs. Takers: Who Gets Ahead

Givers vs. Takers: Who Gets Ahead

 
We are way past the era of the alpha executive. Research shows that dominating power-seekers are not the ones who succeed in an organization — the best managers are those who collaborate with people, without trying to control them. According to this fascinating research by Adam Grant, professor of management and psychology at the Wharton School of Business, presents a fresh way to look at people in the workplace. 
 
Givers:
 
Givers believe in helping others in various ways such as, by making an introduction, giving advice, providing mentoring or sharing knowledge, or showing up early or staying late to a colleague out, without any strings attached. They prefer to be on the contributing end of an interaction.
 
Giver’s Values
Helpfulness  - Working for the well-being of others
Responsibility – Being dependable
Social Justice – Caring for the disadvantaged
 
Takers:
Takers are people who, when they walk into an interaction with another person, are trying to get as much as possible from that person and contribute as little as they can in return, thinking that’s the shortest and most direct path to achieving their own goals. 
 
Taker’s Values
Wealth – Money, material possessions
Power – Dominance, control over others
Winning – Doing better than others 
 
Matchers:
 
Matchers try to maintain an even balance of give-and-take in their interactions. They try to be fair and a sense of quid pro quo in their dealings with others. They keep score of exchanges, so that everything is fair and really just.
 
Matcher’s Values
Just – Treat people equally
Practical  – Mindful of results and action involved
Vocal – Express their feelings 
 
Who gets at top of success ladder?
 
This surprises many people: it's the givers. As they look for ways to expand the 'pie', so that people everybody around them can be better off too. They make it clear that their colleagues really matter to them. And so, giving is a better path to success than taking. It may not pay off directly, givers lead more meaningful lives than takers. Therefore, they end up building deep relationships with people who often become sources of creative ideas and opening doors to new opportunities. 
 
 
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