Leading With Generosity
Leading With Generosity
How to cultivate it in your own organization
By: Vaughn Troyer, CIC, President of Hummel
In today’s competitive and fast-paced world, business is often seen as a selfish pursuit of profit and success. Many people might assume that to be successful in business, one has to be ruthless, greedy, and exploitative.
In contrast to these qualities, I have seen businesses thrive by embracing the characteristic of generosity. In this article, I will share some of the benefits of business generosity and how you can cultivate it in your own organization.
I am fortunate to live and work in Holmes County, Ohio, and be surrounded by many examples of generosity. Every weekend, one can fi nd a fundraiser meal or an auction that is being funded by donations and manned by volunteers with the intent of helping a non-profit or somebody in need. I have observed many benefits of giving more, both for ourselves and for others.
Living with an open hand increases our happiness. Studies have shown that people who are generous are happier, healthier, and more satisfied with their lives than those who live tight-fisted. Giving activates the reward centers in our brains and releases hormones that make us feel good. Giving also reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, which can negatively affect our health and productivity.
Giving more improves our relationships. When we are generous, we build trust, loyalty, and goodwill with our customers, employees, partners, and suppliers. We also attract more people who share our values and vision. Giving more creates a positive reputation and a strong network that can support us in times of need.
Giving more enhances our impact. When we are generous, we make a difference in the lives of others and in the world. We help solve problems, meet needs, and create opportunities. We also inspire others to be generous and multiply our influence. Giving more aligns our business with God’s purpose and mission.
Giving is a spiritual discipline that detaches us from the attitude of “it’s mine” and instead reinforces the reality that we are simply stewards of that entrusted to us for a short time.
Business generosity is not a one-time event but a lifestyle. It is not something we do out of obligation but out of gratitude. It is not something we do to get something back but to give something forward. Here are some practical ways to give more in our business:
Give more of our time. We can volunteer our skills, expertise, and experience to help others who need them. We can mentor, coach, or train someone who wants to learn from us. We can serve in our community, church, or a nonprofit organization that aligns with our values. Create a structure that allows employees to use work time to serve local organizations.
Give more of our talent. We can use our creativity, innovation, and excellence to create products or services that benefit others. We can also use our platform, influence, and network to promote causes that matter to us and to God. We can share our stories, insights, and lessons learned to inspire and educate others. Find ways to give of these work-related resources.
Give more of our treasure. We can donate a portion of our profits, revenue, or assets to support organizations that are doing good work. We can also invest in social enterprises, microfinance, or impact funds that generate both financial and social returns. We can also offer discounts, scholarships, or grants to customers or employees who need them. Create ways that staff can both give to such projects and help decide who receives the funds.
One of my foundational principles of generosity is the recognition that everything we have belongs to God. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This means that we are not the owners of our resources, but the stewards. God has entrusted us with what we have, and he expects us to use it wisely and generously.
When we acknowledge that God is the source of our wealth, we are more likely to share it with others and honor him with our giving.