The Give-Get Principle. You Give Something. You Get Something.
The Give-Get Principle is very easy to understand. Each person learned this principle very shortly after birth. You give something, then you get something. "Something" is the relative term.
Shortly after birth, we learn that if we cry (give), we get attention. Thereafter, if we give a high-pitched scream, we get yelled at. Not too difficult.
Then, we start interacting with others outside our family. We learn about money and that is where most people think the majority of this topic lies. The Give-Get Principle isn't about money at all. It is simply a principle that relies on personal interaction with another. If I give you money, I get a product or a service. If I give you friendship, I get your support.
Here's where the problem lies among young professionals. The young adults entering today's workplace have been given a tremendous amount of opportunity in their lives. Sure, some may have had it harder than others, but the fact of the matter is that in general, today's younger workplace generation hasn't had to give much to get a lot. This comes to them in the form of a shock on their first job.
Upon graduating, finding a job, an apartment, finding new friends and the like, new graduates are still given everything. Some may argue, but it isn't until one become solely supported by one's own accord that they can appreciate and understand the difficulties of the Give-Get Principle.
If I want a promotion, an office with a view or a company cell phone, what must I give? If I want a raise, how much of myself must I give the company? If I want a new flat screen TV, how much money will I have to give to get it? How long is that going to take me to save up for it?
In my research, I've had several tell me how a young person can adapt to understand this principle. It isn't so much as understanding as it is adjusting to the differentiation between instant gratification and working for something. This is where the true problem lies for unrealistic young people. Time is a very difficult concept for some to understand. There isn't a four-year track anymore and a ninety-day probation seems like an eternity.
So here's how to adapt. Using the Give-Get Principle, if there is something you want to Get, find out what you have to Give. If you want a promotion, then you must work harder and probably smarter than those in possible competition for the promotion. Exercise caution, however, nobody likes a coworker out for their own good. Today's workplace is about teamwork and winning, not whining. Don't whine. Take on a leadership role, at the correct time, on a task that suits your absolute strengths and excel past your supervisor's expectations. Do this a few times and you'll be on your way to promotions and the other stuff that goes with it.
If you want to succeed, you must Give, before you can Get. That's what this world operates on and how you'll get ahead. Learn how to play the workplace game and you'll be destined for great things.
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