Intentionally Giving Back to Others

Many of you know I work for a Fortune 50 company at its Corporate Headquarters. This week, my manager and I sat down for my performance review. During the meeting, he gave me a really nice compliment. He said:

“Some people are energy neutral. 

Some take more than they give. 

Some give more than they take. 

I’d put you in this last category.” 

Nice, right?! This got me thinking about how I try to give back at work and how I positively contribute to others.

Three categories came to mind of how I do this and how I’ve seen others do it as well. What’s more, they’re easy so you can do them, too!

1)    If a problem, bring a solution

Early in my career, I had a superior tell me he appreciated the fact that when I identified a problem and wasn’t able to work through it on my own, that I would always come to him with a few potential solutions — rather than just the problem. This stuck with me as a valued practice I’ve continued to do.

So my mantra and advice is: When needing to take a problem to a superior, be ready to offer one or more possible solutions.

Leaders love options! While they should be good decision makers and experienced problem solvers, you can make their lives easier by offering solutions. If you’ve already dug into, researched, calculated or analyzed potential ideas, you’ve saved them a ton of time and expedited their decision-making process. They have enough to deal with without us dropping more in their laps and expecting them to handle.

Related to the idea of ‘when there’s a problem, offer a solution,’ I recently read something Brené Brown wrote in her latest book: Dare to Lead. She wrote:

“In our company, you aren’t allowed to criticize without offering a point of view in return—if you’re going to tear something down, you have to offer a specific plan for how you would rebuild it to make it stronger and more substantial.”

Brené also wrote about “cheap-seat behavior,” in which ‘criticizing or tearing down without a plan for how to rebuild’ can be categorized. I would argue that ‘whining about a problem without offering potential solutions’ could be categorized that way, too.

If you’re wanting to make positive contributions in the workplace, put this advice into practice and consider how you can get out of the cheap seats and into the game to give to others.

2)    Be a mentor or advocate for others

I currently have three active mentor/mentee relationships at work. One individual is new to our department so we’re working together on projects. This allows her to shadow me in some situations and dabble in creating new deliverables, which I’m happy to have her do. In other situations, in which she takes the lead, I can give her advice and guidance behind-the-scenes on next steps. We have an excellent relationship and are both finding value in working together in this mutually beneficial partnership. 

My other two mentees are individuals who are interested in working in my department someday. I’m assisting them in learning more about what we do and how we do it, while they are both sharing more with me about the departments they work in, which broadens my horizons. Again, mutually beneficial relationships.

I also consider myself an advocate for these two individuals. If an opening arises in our department, you can bet I’m going to recommend them for the job. I’ve already talked to my management about their skills and experience on their behalf.

Over the years, I’ve also been the mentee and had others help me in my career. Now I’m at a point where I feel I have something of value to offer others. Being able to give back in that way feels awesome! I thoroughly enjoy helping others learn, grow and develop – especially when it may lead to advancing their careers.

The mentor/mentee relationship is a specific, easy-to-implement way to get started giving back and contributing to others in your office.

3)    Get your voice in the room

Lastly, I’ve heard this phrase many times in the past few years: “Make sure to get your voice in the room.” What does this mean? It means:

• Positively contribute in meetings
• Influence in positive ways
• Share information that is beneficial for others to hear
• Ensure when exposed to higher-levels of leaders that you are heard and seen

Now, there’s a balance to strike here, of course. We all know those people who talk just to hear themselves talk. Or, who share information no one else truly has a need to know. So take caution, and ensure you’re not talking just to talk.

But when you can bring valuable information, a new or different perspective, a question no one else has voiced, thought leadership and influence, you should definitely “get your voice in the room!”

My manager (the one who paid me that great compliment this week)said he wants to hear more from me. He’d like me to have a greater presence within our department. He told me I have great comradery and influence with my peers, and that I’m well respected and appreciated by my leadership. Again, what wonderful things to hear!

Knowing others view me as someone who gives more than I take makes me feel so good. I want to be intentional to continue living that way.

It reminds me of the Rascal Flatts’ country song, My Wish, which says:

“I hope you always forgive and you never regret

And you help somebody every chance you get

I hope you find God’s grace in every mistake

And always give more than you take.”

How about you? Which category do you fall into – giver, taker, or neutral? What other ways do you contribute positively and give back at work? I’d love to hear about it.

Yours intentionally, Amanda

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