In the world we live in today, with the current crisis, the shape of capitalism, and consumer relationships growing ever more intense, it no longer makes sense to give more than what you will get in return. And that’s a shame. Most of the strongest relationships we build throughout life are about giving. No, I’m not talking about money; I’m talking about exchange without expecting immediate payback, about giving yourself, about doing more than what is asked of us. We do this for our parents, our loved ones, our children, our friends. We do it to be well liked, to impress, of our own free will, and sometimes because we see a need in someone else. When it comes to the workplace, however, little is done in this sense. Most of the time, our work is not seen as part of our life; it is treated merely as the break we take to earn a living. It’s no wonder there is so much talk about the impulsiveness of Generations Y and Z, financial instability, the constant need for change, and the lack of commitment to work. This isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about attention, about valuing what we have to offer, about going the extra mile so that, further down the road, we can see the quality of what has been built. Back when the only currency was service, giving back 12 eggs after receiving 12 eggs was an insult. It was like putting an end to the relationship, drawing a line. What made each exchange so necessary for life to go on was the “debt”: that little bit extra which implied there was still something left to give, to offer.
Giving before gaining, being willing to spend a little extra time outside working hours to help a coworker with a task, making the creative effort to develop a solution that will bring real satisfaction, sharing the best of what you have even when it isn’t required: this is the shortcut to stronger, more genuine, more lasting relationships. Over time, we realize that these are the relationships that lay the foundation for future flights. For instability by choice, not instability imposed by a lack of options. We still need one another in every sphere of life; after all, life is about the people we meet and the things we create with them. All of these aspects are essential for us to enjoy our work and be good managers.
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