You Get What You Give: The Law of Reciprocity
Value Based Networking is all about you creating value for others first and not expecting anything in return. It’s about all of your relationships being based or founded on the notion that you have value you can share with others, for their benefit, not yours.
This may be hard to comprehend, but if you approach your relationships with the thought of providing value first, before anything else, an amazing thing will happen.
The Law of Reciprocity
It’s all based on the Law of Reciprocity. The law states that whatever you do will be returned back to you. In other words, if you want to create success for yourself, help someone else become successful.
When it comes to success in your life, the law of reciprocity will help you gain unparalleled amounts of success. The more you help others gain what they are looking for the more you will be helped in return. It may not seem like this is the case on the surface but you cannot give without receiving back.
Giving and receiving favors is a common exchange and is an implicit assumption in most of our relationships. Everyone must benefit from a relationship and invest in the relationship and acts must be mutually rewarding.
For example, I love to read and research topics. So, when I come across an article that I think will be of value to my colleague Doug, I send it on with a note. I provide value to him and I get a kick out of helping him with new information he might not otherwise have access to.
By doing for others you make favorable impressions on them and relationships blossom as you extend courtesy, kindness, honesty, respect, and other favors. Even if favors are small, such as the example I just mentioned, they accumulate over time as you build trust and create a history of what to expect from each other. People evaluate your actions and motives through giving and receiving.
Reciprocity is a basis of trust and a basis for legitimate power. The principle is that others will reciprocate in kind based upon the way you treat them. The world gives you what you give to the world. In fact, oftentimes the world gives you back much more than you may have given in the first place. And what better way to build trust and respect in a relationship if you are always looking out for and helping others?
Keep in mind that reciprocity isn’t something that is always instantaneous; therefore, persistence is vital. Even if you’ve found yourself saying, “I’ve tried that and it doesn’t work,” don’t give up! At the proper time you will reap the harvest – and it will be bountiful By understanding and using the power of reciprocity, you can improve your current relationships and build new and lasting relationships that will power your future.
In life and work, you get what you give. So go out there and give it your all, because in the end, it will come back to you.
