In his excellent book Give & Take, Adam Grant outlines three archetypes in human nature – Givers, Takers & Matchers.
I share my take here on these three archetypes in business.
Givers are those business owners who generously give to others without expecting favours returned. They go out of their way to introduce you to that important contact, pass on a book or listen to your problems and even give free advice.
Givers always seem to have enough time for everything and everyone. Often selfless, they allocate time, money and resources to serving others. They typically possess high emotional intelligence and limitless energy.
In Stephen Covey’s landmark book ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, Givers have a high balance in their emotional bank account.
Takers are constantly searching for what they can get from others. They are often shameless in their request for favours of money and time. Takers typically have no expectation of reciprocating a favour.
Takers seem oblivious to their condition and can be prickly when challenged on their constant ‘take-take-take’ attitude. Takers are often of a low EQ, narcissistic and passive aggressive types who simply see people as pawns in their quest to get ahead.
In Stephen Covey’s ‘7 Habits’, Takers have a huge overdraft in their emotional bank accounts.
Matchers are people who keep score on who is in front or behind on the scoreboard of favours. Their act of giving is done on the proviso of receiving equal in return. Everything is strictly quid pro-quo.
Matchers can experience a bumpy road in relationships as they are either in a state of bliss from current gains or experiencing resentment of unrequited favours. People around Matchers discover over time that the scoreboard is measuring everything exchanged in their relationship.
Matchers can be a little like socialists. Always just in front or just behind. They exchange their goat for your sheep, only to realize that you no longer have the sheep nor want their goat.
So, who wins in business?
Some Givers may experience poor productivity, less earnings and limited success as a result of their selflessness. However, it turns out that of the high achievers, there is an imbalance of Givers represented in this group. Givers make a bigger impact with a huge army of followers.
Takers are not cool.
Matchers break-even at best.
Givers are inspiring.
Be a Giver.
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