Summary of Give and take book
🔑 Fundamental Thought
Adam Grant looks at success depending on interactions with others. He notes three different kinds of employees that show up for work:
Give to others without expecting anything in return.
Takers: Give theirts top priority and aim for more than they offer.
Matchers: Seek justice. They seek to donate as much as they receive.
Grant’s major realization:
Long term, givers are the least successful but also the most successful. It relies on their giving.
🧑️ The Three Interaction Styles
Share freely time, knowledge, and energy among others.
Pay attention to serving others.
Usually over time, develop networks and confidence.
Should they fail to establish limits, they may burn out.
2. Pupils
Look for as much as you can while giving little.
Might succeed fast but usually lose trust.
can foster poisonous societies.
3. Calculators
Work in reciprocity: “I’ll help you if you help me.”
Play fair, but you have less positive influence than givers.
At both the top and bottom of the success ladder, success and giving givers rule.
At the bottom of the success ladder are givers who are too generous and self-sacrificing, leading to their burnout.
At the top are smart givers who support others in meaningful and sustainable ways.
Givers lose long-term since they:
Establish outstanding goodwill and trust.
Promote teamwork.
Get help when it is needed.
Turn into go-to people.
🔧 Tools for Successful Givers
Establish limitations. Say yes in part. Steer clear of being a doormat.
Help in high-impact ways: offer recommendations, create introductions, and share knowledge.
Steer clear of burnout by looking after yourself so you might keep giving.
Apply the “5-Minute Favor” Rule; if it takes less than five minutes, just do it.
Establish systems of giving; surround yourself with matchers or other givers.
🧠 Fascinating Ideas from the Book: Often speaking with humility, vulnerability, and empathy results in more trust and influence than dictating conversations.
Often, givers inspire others to be more giving, so they foster good team cultures.
One taker in a team can reduce the overall performance and morale, so it is important to conceal their negative impact.
🏁 Last Thought: Perfect success isn’t about rivalry. It has to do with contribution.
Grant encourages readers to be generous leaders, but to do so thoughtfully.ghtfully. Giving does not mean nodding yes to everything. It entails maintaining your success while yet adding value for others.
In the long run of life and employment, givers win—not by being naive but by being thoughtful, strategic, and really helpful.