As much as I think of myself as an other-focused person, there’s a great deal to learn about living a givers-gain life. That’s why the authors Bob Burg and John David Mann different approach in The Go-Giver, prompted me to contact Bob to interview him. The Go-Giver, written like novel, is really a parable where the main character Joe, not too familiar with the upside of the philosophy, meets quite successful and interesting people, all the while, unknowingly, falling in love with the Go-Giver concept. I hope you can and will join me in listening to Bob Burg Thursday, Nov 12 and then IMMEDIATELY put any one of the Five Stratospheric Laws of Success into action with online speed networking; if you can’t be there then read further to discover my learnings as an introvert in business with Go-Giving being my philosophy by necessity.
Self-promotion for introverts can be a difficult path if they follow the many extroverts methods or plans. We’re just not wired that way. When I started in sales, it wasn’t because I wanted to be in sales but instead an executive recruiter encouraged me. Why? I think because I had so thoroughly prepared for the interview they thought I could sell!
My first learning of being a go-giver was with a man, Glenn W. Turner, when I was just 23. Glenn had launched a cosmetic company and my husband and I were building a dream team because Glenn espoused, “If you help others succeed then you will succeed.” Sounded easy and it worked.
Fast forward about 10 years when I heard a similar thing from Zig Ziglar, “When you help enough other people get what they want it life, then you will have what you want.”
Then in about another 7 years when I joined Ivan Misner’s BNI business networking referral organization, I heard a name for the philosophy, Givers-Gain. It’s the belief that when you set goals to help others, in particular in business, and you work to achieve this, you usually gained the most out of the experience. It’s the law of recirpocity – indirect or direct.
Then in 2008 I read The Go-Giver, and discovered five laws of the go-giver. It’s a rewarding way to live and work.
I often do pro-bono speaking; it’s part of my marketing. Now all this time later (did you count the years?!) I am amazed and surprised at how many people don’t either know about this belief or don’t practice it. It’s worked for me all along the way in my business career. Even at one point when I veered off course, took some hits and bumps, it was still working!
Back to my point: I believe this is intuitively easier for introverts. Why? Because as business networking has become an in-your-face self-promotion, people tend to retreat from it. For the introvert who is very naturally slow to self-reveal, it’s easier to become other-focused. How? Well, we tend to want to know a lot, have a curiosity about many things. We can transfer that curiosity to other people, and ride along on our own slow self-reveal. And if we can learn to live the Go-Giver laws of stratospheric success along the way then Burg and Mann’s book sub-title becomes reality: “A little story about a powerful business idea.”
There are two actions you can take right now:
One, read the book which you can buy through Amazon or possibly find at your library; and then two,
Join me in listening to Bob Burg Thursday, Nov 12 and then IMMEDIATELY put any one of the Five Stratospheric Laws of Success into action with online speed networking. It could be just what you need to help you and your business results!
What has been your experience with the Go-Giver philosophy if you know of it? Since it is similar but different than Giver’s Gain would you comment on your experiences?
Bob Burg. LOL. I have been using quotes from him since I learned how to network… a whole 10 months ago…but have yet to read the book. 🙂
I learned the concept as pay-it-forward and soon found many other names for it.
Bonnie, Where is the movie “Pay It Forward.” movie? I have not seen it.
Interesting, that Bonnie 100% extrovert and I am 100% introvert and the same principle works for both of us.
Here are some quotes on networking I like:
Networking is not an event, but a process: a way of life.~Pat Weber
“It isn’t just what you know, and it isn’t just who you know. It’s actually who you know, who knows you, and what you do for a living.” Bob Burg
“You can use your business card to get the other person’s business card. As far as I’m concerned, this is the one truly legitimate benefit of business cards.” Bob Burg
“Position yourself as a center of influence – the one who knows the movers and shakers. People will respond to that, and you’ll soon become what you project.” Bob Burg
“The pros, the champions, the ones who are determined to succeed (and you’re one of them), do the little things right, consistently.” Bob Burg
“The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves, continually put the other person’s needs ahead of their own.” Bob Burg
Oh, Pat, I love how you challenge the extrovert in my. Right now I’ll comment on Giver’s Gain. After I listen to you interview Bob, I’ll comment on being a Go-Giver.
I was most touched by the movie “Pay It Forward.” I, a flaming extrovert, give and give and give… just because. I love how I feel during and after I do. In the grocery story, while driving, anywhere and everywhere… A smile, a kind word, a complement, letting someone in front of me… those are tiny givings.
Helping someone in need, coaching or giving marketing ideas. Recently, neighbors were having a birthday party for their 2 year old. He’d just lost his job and they didn’t have money for party goods, so I climbed up in the closet and kept handing things down to the mom. What fun to go to the party full of smiling face.
Talk to you on the call.
The Energizer Bonnie
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Yes indeed Bonnie! I actually do believe being a Go-Giver doesn’t not know any extrovert or introvert boundaries. As you said in your comment, “Helping someone in need,” can be on everyone’s to BEING list if they want to put it there.
Thanks for your comment.
Jim I LOVE all those Bob Burg quotes! I’ll be listening for more of them in my interview.
This one: “Position yourself as a center of influence – the one who knows the movers and shakers. People will respond to that, and you’ll soon become what you project.” Bob Burg ~ just getting ready to talk about that one and how I accidentally got on that track!
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you for your kind post and mention of John David Mann’s and my book. I was honored to have the opportunity to coauthor this book with John, who is the most talented writer I know.
I’m very much looking forward to our interview. I also appreciate Jim’s kind words above and Bonnie’s helping out her neighbor as she did. Awesome!!
Best regards,
Bob
Bob thank you and John David for your message; timely and timeless.