The Generosity Advantage
Skill can’t compensate for a stingy heart.
Advantage grows when it’s given.
Generosity multiplies influence.
7 Practices of Generous Leadership
- Courageously give yourself first. Generosity is about who you are.
- Slow down. You can’t be generous and frantic at the same time.
- Show up to bring advantage to others.
- Stand up for others.
- Forget barter. Don’t give to get. Give to give.
- Earn to give. Don’t give it all away. Earn more so you can give more. Define enough.
- Feel it. An open hand that doesn’t touch you is nice, not remarkable.
Bonus: Honor open-handed leaders.
Generosity Requires Four Strengths
- Humility: Acknowledge you didn’t get here alone.
- Courage: Resolve to give when scarcity scares you.
- Compassion: Commitment to seeing the person, not simply the resource.
- Connection: Appreciate that their success is your success.
Challenge
Half-hearted liberality is barter. No-strings-attached lifts you above the pack.
Some take advantage of liberality. Be wise. But be more generous than wise.
Final Word
Success requires skill.
Greatness requires generosity.
Let what comes to you flow through you.
How might leaders practice open-handed leadership?
What Makes you Great and Much More
Read: Givers and Takers by Adam Grant
Generosity–recognize greatness.
As Ken Blanchard said, “Catch people doing something right.” Reward and recognize both effort and results. Let people know—you noticed!
Dan, this comes at a perfect time for me. Starting something new requires finding the balance of giving and needing something to sustain the giving. I like that it boils down to intention, your heart and courage!
Yes! Be more generous than wise. Or at least more promiscuous than calculating or cautious. Often we want to control our gift, or limit what the recipient might do with it. So yes, be more generous than wise!