The power of giving

BY THOMAS MCMURTRY

During a casual meeting with a department of transportation, we discussed initiatives the safety director was leading and the challenges he faced One challenge he described stayed with me long after our discussion. His superiors desired a way to view crash data and identify the worst road segments in the state, but his staff was overwhelmed with data processing.

I recognized an opportunity to assist. I requested three years ’ of crash data from his staff and started mapping each crash location in my free time I presented my data, and we talked about ways to improve the process Continuing to help with the project was going to take more time then I had, but the department of transportation recognized value in it. They ask me to compile a plan and they would compensate me for my work That began a three-year process of building and refining the state’s first Safety Index The simple act of gifting time and talents came back as a benefit

Giving Pays

The concept that giving pays seems counterintuitive. How can giving something away for free yield more in my pocket? The answer is because it builds trust We have more confidence in people we trust and are more willing to work with them However, the dividends from giving may not manifest themselves immediately It often takes longer to see the reward in being a giver In “It’s a Wonderful Life,” George Bailey made many selfless acts of giving throughout his life with little or no reward, but in his moment of need, the whole town supported him We never know how giving to others now will benefit us or our organization down the road.

Giving Helps

Last spring, I met with the economic development director of a town in Wyoming She informed me they had been awarded a grant to fund an update to its master plan and she would be assembling a request for proposal (RFP). Although reluctant at first, she eventually accepted my offer to give her several examples of recent RFPs for similar master plan updates I shared four examples including two from the same state, which she used to draft her RFP.

This story, however, does not end with a compensation for me or my company Another firm was awarded the project, but I still believe that sharing the RFPs was the right thing to do. And even knowing the outcome, I would do it again

It is important giving be done without the expectation of recompense. It poisons the gift and can strain the relationship if a gift is expected in return I helped the town with the RFP because it felt good, and I had no expectation that KLJ would be awarded the project. Giving is not a strategy; it is a way of life.

Learn to be a Giver

We should think about this principal every day, especially with clients But we can’t think about it as pro bono work or giving work away for free. It is precontract work and is setting us up for future success by building trust

It is important for us to strive to be better givers. It may be difficult to think of things or ways we can give to others now, but it’s surprising how many opportunities exist We should all find something we can offer to someone or something we can do to help a client or coworker today I believe all of us will find that the time we dedicate to giving is rewarding

I am lucky to work for a company with a giving culture. I work with so many people who volunteer and who are willing to spend extra time helping each other I believe you will find the time you dedicate to giving to be rewarding and it will make us all better.

Thomas McMurtry Business Development Specialist KLJ thomas mcmurtry@kljeng com

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