Give And Take – Why Helping Others Drives Our Success

In an ever changing world and one in which the majority of jobs are now in the service sector as opposed to manufacturing, a world of increased competition but also opportunities, the need to find and nurture talent is more and more critical to the success and growth of any orgnaisation. Whilst many tools have been developed to be used by HR teams to train, develop and assess employees this book gives us an altogether new insight into how different people might operate.  

This book is reviewed by Tina Vajpeyi

Working hard, having great skills and talent and of course a little bit of luck help towards success but what Adam Grant has researched over the last ten years is that there is a fourth element which is critical to success and this is how an individual interacts with others. Success relates not only to individuals and companies but also to communities impacted perhaps by a politician, a health care worker or any other person.

 

Adam Grants work has led him to identify three traits, givers, takers and matchers and this book gives interesting insights backed up with case studies, research and stories of people from diverse backgrounds and how their traits have affected their careers and positions.  

In his extensive research and analysis he shows that whilst there are some people who may appear to be givers they are actually takers and there are ways to spot them and perhaps guide them to correct their methods of work. One may have assumed that takers who work on a premise of self promoting themselves and getting what they need from their co workers do get ahead of others. What we see in actuality is that givers who pay more attention to what others need from them are ultimately more successful. Interestingly in the early years of their careers the research also shows they can be the least successful but as their work leads them to a stage where more team work is required and where their skills have also become more developed the results become better.

The method of this book is academic in nature but keeps you turning the pages with its wide spread of characters and roles they work. It leaves much to ponder over and put into practice when analyzing our own or the working traits of others.  It shows how people can be modest and yet influence others but it also highlights case studies of those who give and yet burn out, unfortunately there isn’t a 100% success rate. Towards the end of the book the section on action for impact gives various tools and resources that can be implemented to encourage the action of developing givers. 

  

About the Author

Adam Grant is the youngest professor at Wharton Business School and has been honored as one of Business Weeks favorite professors and one of the worlds top professors under forty. He has also been a junior Olympic spring board diver, a former record setting advertising director and a professional magician.