Takers are self-centred, cunning to the core. Their entire focus is on how to take things, benefits form others. Takers put their own interests ahead of others’ needs. They try to gain as much as possible from their interactions while contributing as little as they can in return.
Matchers like to preserve an equal balance of giving and taking. Their mindset is: “If you take from me, I’ll take from you. If you give to me, I’ll give to you.”
Givers provide support to others with no strings attached. They are ready to help others and contribute to others wellness. Givers give because they consider welfare of others.
Azim Premji of Wipro has mentored many successful business leaders and supported many social entrepreneurs through his investments and guidance. Premji has also set an example for corporate citizenship and philanthropy in India and beyond. He has shown that business success and social good can go hand in hand. In 2001, the Azim Premji Foundation was established, a non-profit organisation that aims to work towards improving the quality of education in India. Over the years, Azim Premji has donated large portions of his wealth to the Foundation. Azim Premji is a Giver.
Adam M. Grant is an American popular science author, and professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania specializing in organizational psychology. His book ‘Give and Take’ talks about a revolutionary approach to success, Adam Grant categorizes people into three types: givers, matchers, and takers. According to Grant the same definition mentioned above; givers proactively help others, matchers have a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” manner, and takers are the suck ups and backstabbers of the world.
The world would be a wonderful place if we would have a healthy surplus of givers. Grant writes about the advantages of adopting a giving approach in the workplace, and many of his suggestions and anecdotes can be applied to the library science field.
One does not automatically relate giving with success. Yet, giving can lead to greater success for oneself and others. According to Grant, extensive research reveals that people who give their time and knowledge regularly to help their colleagues earn more raises and promotions in a wide range of settings. Grant often appeals the symbol of a pie throughout the book: Givers increase the size of the pie and, therefore, can cut generous slices all around.
Ratan Tata is regarded as a successful industrialist of India; he is also well-acknowledged for his philanthropic contributions. There isn’t a single person in India who is not acquainted with his unique individuality, and many entrepreneurs not only draw inspirations from him but also look up to him as an example. Ratan Tata is also a Giver.
Givers are more successful as leaders because they help others around them grow. Leaders who give naturally see abundance and potential in those around them. They offer support and share knowledge generously.
Like Adam Grant, Jim Collins also speaks about successful leadership who are givers. Collins is an American researcher, author, speaker, and consultant focused on business management and company sustainability and growth. His model, Level Five Leadership represents a unique combination of executive capabilities, something that allows them to ensure their organizations become the best. Level one is the foundation position; at this level a leader relies on rules, regulations for taking any decision. Level two is called permission where the leader learns to function on the permission level; they merely comply with orders. At level three which is called production, either the leader is producing results for the organization and adding to its profits or is failing to do so. Many people never move up from Level 2 Permission to Level 3 Production. Why? They are incapable to produce results. When that is the case, it’s usually because they lack the self-discipline, they procrastinate, and they lack skills or not productive.
You find good leaders at Level 4 which is called ‘people development’. At this level leaders invest their time, energy, focus and assessment into developing others around them as leaders. This can be a difficult shift for highly productive leaders who are often misunderstood because nobody likes to change, and constantly work, nobody likes putting in more hours. Developing others to become leaders requires lot of patience and courage.
It is rare to reach Level 5 which is called ‘Pinnacle’. Pinnacle leadership focuses on building trust and respect, and challenging individuals to reach their highest potential. It focuses on building relationships, encouraging self-awareness, developing communication and problem-solving skills, and inspiring others to take ownership of their work. The individuals who reach Level 5 lead so very well constantly because of which they create a legacy in the organization they serve.
A legacy is the symbol of leaders who attempt to lead with a calling to a life-giving mission. Self-sacrifice and deep levels of service to others are necessary. They make the essential decisions, hire, and support the right people, guide daily efforts, and leave the organization or effort better off than when they assumed leadership responsibilities.
Narayan Murthy of Infosys is compassionate capitalist, management visionary, and dedicated moralist, Narayana Murthy placed India squarely on the global map of India’s IT dominance. He has been listed among the 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time by Fortune magazine. He has been described as the “father of the Indian IT sector” by Time magazine and CNBC for his contribution to outsourcing in India. He is an example of Pinnacle leadership.
Grant notes that most people are matchers, and matchers are people who want to see givers rise to the top and takers fail and get to desert. Today the business world, political world, NGOs, educational world, healthcare, agriculture, commerce, legal world every sphere of life requires GIVERS. Try to become a giver whichever walk of life you serve.
