Are you a giver, taker or trader?
We humans relate to resources especially money in three specific ways, creating a complex set of transactions that benefits all humanity. Some individuals move through life with open hearts and a readiness to share, much like a child who spontaneously offers what ever is in his hand. These are the Givers, they light an illuminating the path for others with a desire to share.
Then there are those who move with focused intensity, their eyes scanning for opportunities, like a politician lobbying for their constituents or a CEO negotiating a critical deal. These are the Takers, driven by an innate desire to secure what they need, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs met.
Finally, there are those neither interested in giving or taking but careful value exchanges that benefits them. They are often graceful negotiators, navigating the complexities of give and take with a shrewd smile, like a shopkeeper offering discounts for bulk purchases or a diplomat brokering a peace treaty. These are the Traders, their focus is equitable exchange of value through bartering and compromise.
Now, here’s the crucial truth: this attitude towards resources or money is not a choice, but an innate personality trait that have no control over, the very core of our being. A child who readily shares their cookies isn’t “better” than one who guards theirs fiercely. They simply relate to resources differently and over time become good at it. It’s not about good or bad, but about understanding the inherent differences that guide our interactions.
The dominant moral code of many societies creates a problem. Givers are hailed as saints, while Takers are labeled sinners, forgetting that a world of only Givers drowns in unchecked generosity, while one of only Takers crumbles under its own insatiable thirst. The Traders seens as dispassionate and shrewd.
No matter what out attitude towards resources is, we are capable of compassion, generosity, drive and create value for ourselves and the people we work with and most people are very conscientious of the value they create. There are always unscrupulous people in all categories that only think of themselves without regard for others in any transaction.
Under this moral backdrop, the unscrupulous, masquerade as givers to gain our trust and often endup in positions of power and authority in our society. Takers with power to spend others’ resources become wolves in sheep’s clothing, their appetites disguised as benevolence. They write phony pledges, funnel funds into hidden pockets, and waltz away with pockets jingling not with shared bounty, but with ill-gotten gains. The unscrupulous givers do not take their fiduciary responsibility seriously and benefit the caused close to their hearts and waste public funds.
This is where transparency becomes the spotlight, illuminating the true intentions behind each individual. Imagine, if our propensity to Give, Take, and Trade were proud of who they are without the burden of trying to be moral. Suddenly, public service doesnt become a magnet of unscrupulous people and it would bring integrity to social governance. Governments become accountable, charities scrutinized, and the true value of each transaction laid bare.
It’s not about shaming or judging, but about understanding. When we accept that all roles — Giver, Taker, Trader — are natural expressions of our human tapestry, we can build systems that harness our strengths and mitigate our weaknesses. Financial controls and audits gain teeth when informed by this deeper understanding. We can create cultures that celebrate all roles, but hold accountable those who abuse their strengths in the shadows.
So, start accepting your inherent attitude towards resources, dear reader. Embrace the real you without any apology announce proudly your type and create value with who ever is willing to work with you. Be yourself and do your best, knowing that in the grand choreography of society, every role is essential, every human is unique and special.
Together, we can build a future where transparency illuminates the shadows, and the symphony of human interaction plays on, a harmonious blend of Giving, Taking, and Exchanging for the greater good.
Remember, you are not your label, but a vital note in the future of humanity. Live with pride, work with understanding, and together, let’s create a just and vibrant world, where every transaction increases the richness of our diverse attitudes towards resources.
Share your thoughts on the Givers, Takers, and Traders in your life. Given your personality trait you need effective strategies for dealing with other types to create mutually beneficial transactions.
If you like this blog share it with your friends. As a Life Coach, I help my clients find effective strategies most beneficial to them in creating successful partnerships with others.
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