Success depends not only on talent, passion, and hard work but also on how we treat our fellow human beings – friends and colleagues as well as competitors and opponents.
Science distinguishes three basic types of social behavior: Givers help others without expecting anything in return. Matchers strive to balance giving and receiving. Takers enrich themselves at the expense of others.
Adam Grant, a professor at Wharton Business School, has studied the long-term effects of these behaviors on careers and success. In this book, he presents his surprising result:
Both the most successful and the most unsuccessful people are givers.
How does this happen? If you are helpful and generous as a giver, but at the same time do not allow yourself to be taken advantage of and consistently pursue your goals, you will have greater long-term success than matchers and takers. However, if you thoughtlessly sacrifice yourself for others, you quickly become a "doormat" and lose strength and motivation.
The book is entertaining, based on extensive scientific studies, and filled with compelling current and historical stories from sports and business.
It is motivating to see that one can also be successful with decency, attention, and responsibility and for the benefit of others – and that egoists lose out in the long run.
🎧 Suitable as an audiobook? Yes!
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