The Law of Receptivity
Over the last four weeks, we’ve discussed the first four Laws of Stratospheric Success from the Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann: The Laws of Value, Compensation, and Influence (Sales & Leadership), and Authenticity. In this week’s training topic, we dive into the fifth law, The Law of Receptivity.
The Law of Receptivity – The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.
Downloadable PDF Training Topic Sheet
I don’t know about you. I was told from an early age, “It is better to give than to receive” You see, most of us are naturally good at giving…it just seems like the right thing to do most of the time. However, I typically struggle to receive anything, which could include gifts, money, or even something as simple as a compliment. I find it very difficult to receive from people and by doing this I have stopped good things coming into my life and denied other people the joy of giving.
I’ve been known to shrug off a compliment and even refuse to be paid for tasks for which everyone else charges or at least requested less than was customary for a project. There is a very well known company that trains their employees to say, “My Pleasure” when they are thanked for doing something. In essence, they are stopping the flow of giving and receiving by disallowing their customer’s gratitude. “My pleasure” suggests that they might not have done it for you, but instead for their own pleasure. I’d recommend, they first say, “You’re Welcome!” Then, “It’s my pleasure to serve you.”
While I still believe it is better to give than receive, I have learned there is a flip side to that coin. If there are no receivers, there can be no givers. For Giving to work, there has to be someone receiving…full circle. Can you imagine a gift exchange like this? You invested a lot of time, money, energy, and thoughtful consideration to find the perfect gift, and, at the moment of exchange, they said, “No thank you. I don’t accept gifts. I only give gifts.”
As Pindar is explaining the law, Joe comes to understand, “All the giving in the world won’t bring you success, won’t create the results you want, unless you also make yourself willing and able to receive in like measure. Because if you don’t let yourself receive, you’re refusing the gifts of others – and you shut down the flow.”
For that company that says, “My pleasure,” I hope one day they will learn to say, “You’re Welcome.” And, for my good friend, Jerry Szeszulski, who once taught me about this law first hand when I shrugged off his compliment about a suit I was wearing…Thank You, sir!
For sales, please know that it is okay to get paid and get paid handsomely for the value you bring and problems you solve.
In The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, Joe goes on a journey learning that giving is the key to success and becoming a Go-Giver transforms not just his business…it transformed his life.
This is one of my most recommended books and a very easy read. If you haven’t read the book yet or if you’d like to pick up a copy for a friend, you can pick it up for as little as $5.77 plus shipping, on Audible for $9.30, or sexy hardback for $16.93 on Amazon.
Downloadable PDF Training Topic Sheet
PS For a little self-challenge this week, seek first to say, “Thank you!” Also, for a little game, pay attention to how many compliments you give this week and track the responses of the people you’re giving them to. (Caution: Show grace, as they might not be aware of this self-sabotaging practice of deflecting compliments.)