Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. – Frank A. Clark
A word about generosity
The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins.
A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, “Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar’s need. Why give him gold?” Alexander responded in royal fashion, “Cooper coins would suit the beggar’s need, but gold coins suit Alexander’s giving.”
Generosity is one of the great privileges of your leadership. It’s where your words and actions align for the benefit of others. It’s about the impact you desire to have as a leader and stepping up with a generous heart to make it happen.
Generosity will take on many forms for you as a leader. Learning how to manage and make the most of your opportunities will require discipline on your part. Be that as it may, the most successful leaders are the most generous leaders. Here are three ways to express your generosity as a leader.
Be generous with your time
Time is the most precious commodity you have as a leader. We go to great lengths to manage it and protect it. Jim Rohn was right when he said, “Either you run the day or the day runs you”. So when it comes to generosity, the giving of your time is one of the most generous acts of your leadership.
Think for a moment about the impact that your time could have as a mentor, or time spent out of your office with your team, with a local charity, or with your place of worship? Your generosity could be the difference-maker that someone has been waiting for.
Being generous with your time is to understand that it’s not about what you are giving up or sacrificing, but what you are contributing. It’s about servant leadership.
Be generous with your talents
Your expertise as a leader can be an invaluable source of inspiration for those you serve. The things you’ve learned, the wisdom you can share, and the pitfalls to avoid can be priceless for aspiring leaders.
Regardless of your vocation, your talents as a leader can serve people from all walks of life. Your life lessons and experiences may not mirror that of everyone you meet, but your message and encouragement can make a huge difference in their life. (Read What I Wish I Knew About Leadership 30 Years Ago)
Give it some thought. What talents do you possess that can add value to those in your sphere of influence? Don’t underestimate your contributions nor deprive others of your gift. Your message may very well be the one they need to hear.
Be generous with your treasure
One of the blessings of your leadership is found in the sharing of your treasure. This, of course, is not about a dollar amount, it’s more about the attitude and generosity of your heart.
This treasure I speak of includes the generosity of your finances, but it not limited to that. By all means, be a blessing with your finances. But your generosity can be shared through other resources such as a good book on leadership that could be helpful.
Generous and selfless leaders are in high demand and are needed now more than ever. Click To TweetNow is not the time to hold back, now is the time to step up and show the world what generous leaders look and act like.
Generosity quotes
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it’. – Proverbs 3:27
“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late”. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need”. – Khalil Gibran
“Where grace happens generosity happens”. – Max Lucado
“Generosity isn’t an act. It’s a way of life”. – Chip Ingram
A final word
As a leader, commit yourself to the selfless life of generous living and leadership. Together we can show the world a better way to do leadership.
©2018 Doug Dickerson
