Why being helpful is the best strategy

Some people think they show their value by being scarce. Like a scarce resource as in the case of gold, they think by decreasing their availability and support for people around them, they will be perceived as being more valuable. Hence, you have to play phone tag with them to get a hold of them and if you do it takes ages to make appointments because there is always something "very important" in the way. If you ask them for support they will decline pointing out their lack of time. Now either you are dealing with a truly busy person who is focused on solving problems for people on a higher level or you are dealing with someone who believes in scarcity and will interact only to get direct benefits.

Adam Grant writes about how generosity with your time will lead to more personal success. In his book "Give and Take" he examines three types of people  – givers, takers, and matchers. Givers will pay favors generously, while matchers look for a quid pro quo. Takers, however, are solely promoting their self interest. His research indicates that the most successful people are often givers.

Let's turn this around: Imagine someone will be there 100% percent listening to your request or issue and then make a genuine effort of helping you. They are really resourceful and will always help to get you ahead in some way or other. Now, that person will be valuable for  many people.  Now you might say, that people abuse that level of support and availability and instead of getting ahead yourself you will constantly help other people get ahead. But wait a sec, this is exactly what's necessary for your own succeess: The more value you create for other people the more successfull you will be. That is almost an economic law of nature.

Your choices have consequences. If you are helpful, sometimes people will not be grateful. Other times you will be repaid a hundred times. Overall research indicated, you will be more successfull because of your productive attitude which will be rewarded. Most importantly though, its not only about business. It is about the impact you have on the world. And that impact is not measured by how well known you are or how wealthy you are, it is measured by how much you made someone's life a tiny bit better.