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Getting Your Fair Share Requires Giving Your Fair Share

Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he or she is good at doing.

Quincy Jones

This is the time of year when I tend to be a bit more sentimental, pray a little harder for world peace, and think about how I'll do things better next year. The best part about the holiday season, for me, is observing the selfless act of giving and the joy it brings to others. Fortunately, we can extend this spirit of the holidays throughout the year and contribute significantly to the success of others - simply by being generous.
It's no secret that entrepreneurs are an industrious bunch. We tend to be ambitious, eager, and hyperfocused on ourselves and our work. Our creations are sacred, and our ideas - those are always billable, right?

You can be an expert in Pareto principles, customer satisfaction practices, and marketing communication but, in the end, people are not as interested in your quality standards, CRM strategies, or clever copy as they are with the way you conduct yourself when responding to the requests of others.

You've probably been approached, as I have, by novice entrepreneurs who wanted to take a look at your contracts, proposals, or price list. Or maybe they wanted to know how you get your customers and how you built your business.

Giving away your time, ideas, and counsel might seem more than a tad uncomfortable at first. But the only sure-fire business practice today is generosity. Trite as it may sound, the more we give, the more we do get in return. And one of the most rewarding ways is to extend fellow entrepreneurs a helping hand.

If you have "no trespassing" signs on your file cabinets, office doors, Palm Pilot, and computer, think about taking them down and letting others in. Your experience is just what a fledgling entrepreneur needs to get their business off the ground. I remember the first time I shared one of my contracts with a budding entrepreneur who was strapped for cash and didn't know the first thing about client agreements. He was so thankful, he almost cried.

While I'm not suggesting that you post your business' intellectual property in an Internet chat room, I am suggesting that, as entrepreneurs, we have a sense of responsibility to nurture the up-and-comers who will one day take our place in the business community.

And there are significant rewards for magnanimity: The people you help will become your greatest source of referrals, positive publicity, and testimonials. The goodwill you generate from your own generosity will do more for your reputation than any amount of advertising you could afford.

What about giving to the competition? In my view, there is no such thing. If someone else is out there doing what you do, make them a comrade, work together, and share the benefits of a strategic alliance. Don't fall prey to the scarcity mentality; remember, there is plenty to go around for everyone. Competition exists only when we're afraid of it.

Continue the spirit of the season by stepping into the role of mentor and role model. It doesn't take a lot of time to answer a question, make a referral, or e-mail an agreement. Today, when it's difficult to even get a phone call returned, your munificence will stand out as an act of kindness that will not be soon forgotten.

If you are just starting out and don't yet have access to mentors and experienced entrepreneurs, you can benefit by forming a mastermind group with other emerging business owners. Pledge to help one another get ahead. Offer ideas, encouragement, referrals, and resources. And, for goodness sake, do business with one another. Share your contacts, leads, and other information that can help your colleagues. The allegiances you develop now will last a lifetime.

If you still need convincing, just think about the economy and the state of business in America. If you don't think that fostering entrepreneurship and helping others to build strong businesses is a grand contribution to our country, you're wrong. Help one person build a better sandwich shop, and you've helped him, his family, and his community. Imagine the possibilities if every business person helped another become more successful.

My point here is that getting our fair share requires giving our fair share. Entrepreneurial success brings with it a sense of accomplishments so immensely fulfilling, it is only fair to share that success with others.

Debra Davenport, PhD, is a Master Professional Mentor and the president of DavenportFolio, a licensed firm with offices in Los Angeles and Phoenix that mentors entrepreneurs and professionals. She is the creator of the Certified Professional Mentor® designation and certification program and the author of The Ten Commitments of Highly Successful People. debra@davenportfolio.com or (866) 232-6492.

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