I can’t help myself. I like Dr. Alan Zimmerman’s Tuesday Tips. Even though I don’t know what he’s a ‘Dr’ in and he hard sells to me in between the interesting bits.
I’m a bit late, but this is an example from last week, with a link to his site at the end:
From Alan Zimmerman’s Tuesday Tip
“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President
I’ve noticed that people fall into one of two categories: givers and takers.
I’ve also noticed that the takers are the unhappiest people on Earth. And it’s no wonder. When their entire focus is on “What’s In It For Me,” they’re bound to offend their coworkers, customers, friends, and family members and have problems with them.
By contrast, those who experience the most success in their businesses, their teams, and their families are givers.
So I ask you … “Are you a giver or a taker?”
Abigail Van Buren, the syndicated columnist, gives a great way to answer that question. She said,
“The best index to a person’s character is:
a) how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and
b) how he treats people who can’t fight back.”
A taker ONLY treats people well when he’s out to get something from them. A giver treats people well ALL the time.
To be a bit more specific …
1. Takers seldom think about others
They’re self-absorbed … with their interests, their desires, their wants, and their needs.
They’re kind of like the father who was asked by a young man if he could marry his daughter. The father asked, “Can you support a family?”
The young man said,”Yes.”
“Good,” replied the father. “There’s six of us.”
Alan then goes on to look at leadership styles – givers or takers. Here’s the link:
Givers or takers – Alan Zimmerman’s Tuesday Tip, January 27 2009
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