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Have you ever had a friend, colleague, or stranger ask you for a favor? Most times, when people in my life ask for help, I will often lend a hand—no matter the issue. Taking care of people is something I take very seriously, and I pride myself that those in my life can count on me.
However, as the clock ticks throughout my career, I have found it interesting that the desire to help business owners with their favors is often not reciprocated. Whether you find yourself running a multimillion-dollar business or working on a small project, you will always find those who ask for more than they are willing to give.
Knowing this truth, why do we continue to give to those around us—knowing that our request is unlikely to be carried out with the same fervor? The truth is that a giving heart is almost always rewarded. In the short term, an unreciprocated action might make one feel undervalued and taken advantage of. Still, over time I have always looked upon these situations with happiness. Each interaction has taught me a lesson, whether it be in business or life. By choosing to not expect back what I have given, I can always walk away with a positive experience.
When it comes to your business, understanding this concept is vital to building a long-term brand. By eliminating the necessity of reciprocity, your customers, vendors, prospects, and employees are empowered and feel valued. Giving more than expected fosters a reciprocal relationship as a byproduct of operating your business with an open mind. As the adage goes, under-promise and over-deliver!
I have found that the core to my success in scaling my business has been accomplished by taking this principle and applying it to various partners across all levels of my organization. When you create a business model of over-delivering, you open the door to building a long-term relationship with valuable brands and businesses. This allows you to reach a broader audience and share your message across other target markets. Thus, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
Aiming for reciprocation in your business and personal relationships will be a long road, but you can achieve it! It will always start with you willing to give more than you receive. For some of us, this will be a struggle. It takes time to get used to, and sometimes you will face situations where others might take advantage, but it will strengthen both you and your business.
Take the first step today and aim for reciprocation in every area of your life, starting with: “How can you give more than you did yesterday?”