Value: Givers vs. Takers

Intro

Value. I’ve been thinking about givers vs. takers. We’re all in either bucket at different points or situationally based on the nature of our professions, etc. But more broadly, what’s your mindset with giving vs. taking?

The Story

As an individual or as a company? Adam Grant explains these profiles well, but here’s my version:

Bucket 1
I’ve worked with some- pure abundance. They get it. And would never expect anything in return when they offer value of some kind. And even if they did, you would never see it, hear it, or feel it. They actually do want to help, enjoy helping, being an abundant partner, and see building relationships as a core tenet of business and as a path to success.

Bucket 2
Others- they expect exact reciprocity for everything. Like a vending machine. And they are just looking at you as an object to pull from. They give off that feeling and they keep score. They’re here to get theirs, with no regard for others. Looking for a referral fee for the local mechanic or dentist.

Everyone has responsibilities to take care of, so no judgement here, but a few people I have been fortunate to know, have really taught me about spending my time in Bucket 1.

Bucket 1 builds.

Bucket 2 bleeds.

Value stems from Bucket 1–abundance mindset, driving value, more created than taken, explained in a concept Andreessen frames up well:

“The world is a very malleable place. If you know what you want, and you go for it with maximum energy and drive and passion, the world will often reconfigure itself around you much more quickly and easily than you would think.”

—Marc Andreessen 

Closing

One valuable lesson I learned was in 2024 while doing some consulting work. I realized the more I gave advice, help, knowledge, the more likely I would earn trust to work with the client. If you are able to charge $X and make it happen, by all means, no reason to slow play by giving free work away. But if you’re pushing and pushing and selling on hard mode, try something different. Try giving, and giving, until you have earned their trust to charge a fee. Be there for them, show them, show up, share, deliver. This doesn’t mean give away full products or services, but do a free call or two, advise them on some preliminary work, or send them something you have built. Whatever.

The key here is just start working with them, don’t sell them, don’t ask for something awkwardly, give more of you, and get business in return. If you can smoothly transition from Introduction, to Deeper Dive, to full on Engagement, you can at times, just start versus asking. While everyone else gets bent out of shape on working for a fee, you’re going to earn the win, get sale, and kickoff the engagement by doing. The fee will come if they’re the right customer. They will want to compensate you for your expertise or product. They will want your counsel, so show them a preview of what it will look like.

Credit: Alex Hormozi on the ideas that allowed me to put it to work.

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About the Author, Graham Peelle