The Supernova Multiplier

CHAPTER 9Giving to Give

What does your volunteer involvement look like? How are you giving back to your community? You may be volunteering in a Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, serving on your local school/arts council/museum/scouts board, or on a committee at your church or place of worship. If you come from a medical background it might be the local hospital board, the American Cancer Society, or Little Red Door. If you belong to a charitable group, fraternity, or non-profit, and serve on their board in a leadership capacity, you are involved in the community.

We don't need a reason to give—we just do it because we know it's the right thing to do. It is natural to want to help each other be safe, successful, and happy. As author Adam Grant discovered in his research for his book Give and Take, the world is made up of three kinds of people: givers, takers, and matchers. Grant asserts that all three types can be successful but the givers are the most successful (and the happiest). “Being part of a group with shared interests, identities, goals, values, skills, characteristics, or experiences gives us a sense of connection and belonging. At the same time, being part of a group that is clearly distinct from other groups gives us a sense of uniqueness.”

Becoming known and trusted in your community is necessary if you want to do business in that market. In fact, community involvement makes you into a marketing magnet. At no point do you actually ask for business. It will come to ...