In his influential 2013 book Give and Take, organizational psychologist Adam Grant argues that, contrary to popular belief, highly successful people tend to be among the most generous in the workplace. Why? Leaders who demonstrate generosity by giving away their time and attention to others are able to build relationships and communities that can stand the test of time.
Give and Take was a best-seller because it thoroughly debunked the notion that nice guys finish last in the professional rat race. In fact, people who are altruistic with their time and expertise — offering them without expecting reciprocity — are the ones who can get the most out of others, delegate effectively, and resolve conflicts. In essence, givers have the right leadership skills for today’s workplace.
While the book is undoubtedly a force for good, it ultimately argues that generosity as a way to improve career outcomes, almost like a karmic reward for unselfish people. In reality, there’s so much more that Grant could have said about the individual benefits of generosity and service, including ones that are detached from monetary value.
In this blog, I’d like to make the case for why generosity is a pathway to a deeply fulfilling life.
Fulfillment Beyond Achievement
Many of us spend years pursuing goals that seem like they should bring lasting satisfaction. We work hard, save diligently, build careers, and strive to provide for the people we love. But these pursuits often reveal an uncomfortable truth: achievement and fulfillment are not the same thing.
Social science research consistently shows that once our basic needs are met, happiness is less dependent on accumulating more and more for ourselves, whether that’s wealth, degrees, or awards. Instead, happiness is increasingly shaped by the connections we form with others. It’s dependent on a sense of shared purpose.
In other words, fulfillment is often found not in what we acquire, but in what we contribute. This idea appears across cultures, religions, and philosophies throughout history. It can be achieved in many ways: through volunteering, mentoring, charitable giving, or simply listening with intention. And these acts of generosity, small and large, help us feel connected to something larger than ourselves.
Why Service Matters
Service is often misunderstood as a sacrifice: We’re giving something away, like our time or energy. But those who serve quickly realize that it gives something back.
When we help others, we strengthen our sense of meaning. We gain perspective on our own challenges. We deepen relationships and cultivate gratitude. This may explain why some of the happiest and most fulfilled people are those who dedicate themselves to causes beyond their own interests. Their lives are not necessarily easier, wealthier, or more comfortable. But they often possess a stronger sense of purpose.
Generosity as a Practice
Naturally, a question arises in all of us: How can I contribute? Too often, people are overwhelmed by that question and freeze up, rather than start small.
Generosity does not require grand gestures. In fact, its greatest power may lie in its accessibility. A generous life can begin with small, everyday choices. It might mean offering encouragement to a struggling colleague. Or sharing expertise with a peer while not expecting anything in return.
Financial generosity matters too, but the idea is ultimately about much more than money. Time, attention, empathy, patience, and wisdom are often the gifts people remember most. Over time, acts of giving become less like obligations and more like expressions of who we are.
Final Thoughts
When I recently revisited Give and Take, my main takeaway was this: Individual achievement and generosity are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they’re intricately connected. That reminder should shape how we behave in the workplace. We should seek to be generous wherever we are. After all, a successful life is not measured solely by what we accumulate, but also by what we contribute.
When we stop focusing exclusively on our own happiness and begin investing in the well-being of others, we often find the fulfillment we were seeking all along.
About VALUABLES
Many financial advisors focus on communicating with clients to provide complex analysis of the investment markets and economies. However, we have learned that most clients are not particularly interested in this complex analysis. Most clients hire an advisor for their knowledge of the markets, not for their ability to explain that knowledge. Most want to know what time it is, not how to build a watch.
Experience has taught us that wealthy families care most about using their wealth as a means to a desirable end, which is to achieve a more satisfying, fulfilled and impactful life, and to fulfill their most important Life Values.
VALUABLES is a periodic article series focused on the concepts, systems, and habits which we have observed among families who have been successful in this quest to use their wealth as a tool to live a life of significance. The most successful families share a set of habits, systems, and insights which enable them to use their wealth as a tool to fulfill their Values and what is most important to them.
We named this article series VALUABLES, because it provides an exploration of those habits, systems, and insights. We hope it will help you to consider your assets and possessions which are most valuable to you, and how you can use your financial wealth to enhance and cultivate your true “Valuables”.
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