Everyday Significance: 6 Ways You Can Give More Than You Take

At a Maxwell Leadership conference, I had the privilege of hearing Angela Ahrendts speak.

Angela, who served as Apple’s Senior Vice President of Retail from 2014 to 2019 and as CEO of Burberry from 2006 to 2014, was talking about her leadership journey. She said that the best advice she ever received was from her dad, who told her, “You will never be happy unless you learn to give 60 and take 40 – in everything, not just at work.”

That message struck a deep chord with me. It’s a call to adopt a mindset of generosity, empathy, and contribution – an intentional choice to give more than you take.

John C. Maxwell captures this sentiment beautifully in his book High Road Leadership. He says that giving more than you take is about tipping the scales in favor of others. It’s about leaving every person you meet – and especially those you lead – better than you found them.

Generosity in All Things

We often equate giving with financial generosity, but the truth is that financial resources are just one piece of the puzzle. There are many ways to give, and each one can make a meaningful difference. Below are six impactful ways you can uplift and empower others, using what you already have.

1. TIME AND ATTENTION.

One of the most valuable gifts you can give to others is choosing to be present and attentive to them. Showing empathy, being genuinely interested in others’ lives and thoughts, and actively listening without seeking to respond can build trust and connection, which is critical in today’s world where true attention is rare. You can also give your time and attention in the form of volunteering in a community project, and have a lasting effect on those you serve.

2. SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE.

You can use your skills to serve others by helping them solve problems or move forward in some way. For example, if you have well-developed public speaking and facilitation skills, you can use them to train and facilitate discussions to help people learn. You could also mentor others and help them learn from your journey so their learning curve becomes shorter and smoother and they get ahead more quickly.

3. OPPORTUNITIES.

Open doors for other people and give them access to opportunities that would otherwise not be available to or for them. This could take many forms, including inviting them to serve on a team, project, or working group that will help them contribute as they become better. Alternatively, if you happen to be in a room that they don’t have access to when growth opportunities are being discussed, you could propose their names and vouch for them – of course, if you genuinely believe that they can deliver – knowing very well that you will not gain personally for doing so.

4. CONNECTIONS.

When done thoughtfully and intentionally, connecting people within your network is a powerful way to give. As you introduce them, consider adding a quick note on what the two people have in common, to get the conversation rolling. Then get out of the way – unless invited to stay – and let the parties figure out how to work together or add value to one another. In the book Leadership Gold, John Maxwell encourages leaders to be connectors, not just climbers. He says that if you take a connector’s approach to leadership, you have a much better chance of succeeding, because no one ever achieved anything of significance alone. But even if you don’t succeed in a given endeavour, you will have at least made some friends along the way. Thoughtful connections can go a long way in building a strong, supportive network.

5. MONEY OR OTHER RESOURCES IN KIND.

In that same book, John Maxwell says that anyone can be financially generous, whether they possess little or much, because generosity has everything to do with your mindset, not your net worth. You could therefore choose to give financial resources to support others. Even small donations can add up and make a significant difference. Alternatively, you could give in kind. For example, donating farm produce, books, or toys to a children’s home could positively impact the lives of those children.

6. EXPERIENCES.

Creating and sharing experiences with others is a powerful way to give because experiences often have a lasting emotional impact and can bring people closer together. By inviting someone to join you in something they may not typically have access to but which they value and would enjoy, you can create meaningful memories. This could be a sports event, a concert, a cooking class, or even a weekend getaway. Experiences don’t have to be grand or expensive; the key is the thoughtfulness behind it. The shared moments could mean more than material gifts because they deepen connections and can have a lasting impact on how others feel, long after the moment has passed. You could also end up inspiring others in unexpected ways.

Giving more than you take—practicing the 60/40 rule—is about cultivating a mindset that focuses on enriching others’ lives without expecting anything in return. Every person has something to give. Whether it’s your time, skills, opportunities, connections, resources, or experiences, your contribution has the power to change lives.

Today and every day, ask yourself: What will I give to help someone else get better and move forward?

Wondering how else you can give more than you take?

John Maxwell says, “When you intentionally use your influence every day to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you achieve significance” – and if that’s something you’re seeking, you can get your copy of his positive impact guidebook, Intentional Living, at the Maxwell Leadership store. Click here to pick up yours today.

H4: About the author

Joyce Kaduki is the co-founder of Primo Strategy Limited – a leadership development, coaching, training, and consulting company – and is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team (MLCT) member. She specializes in coaching, speaking, training, and facilitating DISC. Joyce works with leaders to help them discover their strengths and improve their leadership and communication skills. She has coached leaders and business owners from 17 countries on five continents and has more than 12 years of experience in leadership, teaching, training, and consulting within the private, non-profit, and faith sectors. She has conducted assessments and facilitated team discovery, growth, and strategy sessions to improve teamwork, organizational culture, productivity, and tangible results. Joyce serves on the MCLT President’s Advisory Council.