Are You A Giver Or A Taker?

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 1, 2024

Ever feel like you're the only one in the office who refills the coffee pot? Maybe you suspect you’re surrounded by people who would passively watch the last drop of java drip while silently cheering they weren't the ones to finish it. It’s time to figure out if you’re a beacon of generosity in a sea of self-interest, or if maybe that cheerleader is you. Welcome to the giver vs. taker showdown, where your daily deeds—or misdeeds—finally get the spotlight they deserve.

But don't whip out your halo or devil horns just yet; there's more to this than meets the eye. It's not just about who brings donuts on Fridays or who conveniently has endless printer trouble when it comes to printing their reports. You can be the workplace Mother Teresa or the office Ebenezer Scrooge, sure, but is there a method to this madness? There's a quiz that's ready to spill the beans on your giving or taking tendencies, each question crafted to pry into your psyche more gently than your nosy coworker rifling through your snack drawer.

So, are you ready to take a hilariously honest peek into your soul? Will you emerge as the magnanimous giver, someone who showers your peers with help and kindness, or will you discover you’re a taker, strategically navigating the world for your benefit? It might sound like you’ll be walking down a path of self-discovery that could lead you to either a virtual pat on the back or a comedic intervention. Take the "Are You a Giver or a Taker?" quiz, and let’s see where you land. Remember, it's all in good fun—no donations or sacrifices required.

Character Traits of Givers and Takers

In the grand circus of the workplace, there are those who throw pies (Givers), those who take pies (Takers), and those who exchange pies on a strictly one-for-one basis (Matchers). Now, let's pull back the curtain on these fascinating characters and see what makes them tick.

Identifying the Givers

Givers are your workplace Santa Clauses, doling out help with a merry twinkle in their eye. They're the folks who'll sprint to hold the elevator door even if they're not going to the same floor. These selfless givers act like the office's unpaid interns, expecting nothing in return—well, maybe just your bright smile. They are propelled by a strong wind of generosity, blowing away any leaves of selfishness that might drift their way. Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to spot these generous souls who find joy in the act of helping, be they men or women.

Recognizing the Takers

Then there are the Takers, who could spot an advantage in a power outage. These savvy navigators of self-interest will charm the pants off you for a favor, then conveniently forget your name. They're like professional magicians, always keeping an ace up their sleeve for their next trick. But don't be fooled; these wizards of reciprocity are playing chess, not checkers, calculating their every move to maximize personal gain. If you find yourself always on the giving end of the stick, chances are you've met a Taker.

The Matchers' Middle Ground

Finally, meet the Matchers. These are the "tit for tat" aficionados, ensuring the scales of giving and taking stay as balanced as a perfectly made margarita. They're the ones keeping a mental ledger of favors like an overly concerned accountant. Under the banner of fairness, Matchers embody the spirit of reciprocity; they'll scratch your back if, and only if, you've got their back too. It's a fair enough approach, a life philosophy that boils down to what's been famously said: "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours."

In the serenade of office types coined by organizational psychologist Adam Grant, your next task is to figure out where you fall in this giver-taker-matcher spectrum. Are you ready to discover your true work personality? You might be tickled to find out. Head over to Brainfall's quiz and see whether you're more giver or taker, or perhaps standing comfortably in the matcher's middle ground.

Navigating Life and Work Dynamics

Before you go on this enlightening yet slightly judging journey to determine if you're a giver or a taker, let's talk about the boardroom jungle and cubicle politics.

Success Metrics for Givers and Takers

Oh boy, you must've heard this a zillion times: "Success is not just about what you accomplish in life, it's about what you inspire others to do." Turns out, it's actually true, especially when we talk about givers and takers. In the wild world of work, givers are those lovely folks who are all about the team, fostering communication and spreading motivation like confetti. On the flip side, takers are a bit like professional treasure hunters, focused on personal gain, which might hinder teamwork. Remember, every time a taker snatches the credit, a potential giver loses their wings—or at least their motivation.

Leadership: Who Takes the Crown?

Here's the tea: in the realm of leadership, givers are kind of like undercover superheroes. They're often not the ones wearing the crown—or the floppiest CEO hat—but they're the kings and queens of creating an organization where everyone feels like they have a shot at the throne. Meanwhile, takers, while they might jet-pack their way up the ladder with remarkable talent, frequently fly solo. It’s great until they need a sidekick, and realize they've been a one-person show in a team sport.

The Impact on Relationships and Teamwork

When it comes to relationships and group projects I mean, team dynamics, givers are like the esteemed gardeners, watering the plants of camaraderie and trust. They cultivate an environment where ideas grow faster than weeds in your vegetable patch. Meanwhile, takers could be a tad more like those prickly cactuses that look cool but are kind of hard to hug. Teammates might admire their strengths, but bonding over potlucks becomes an Olympian task. And let's not start on industries like engineering, where collaboration can be the difference between building bridges or watching your Lego tower of dreams tumble down.

So, do you want to play the giving saint or the taking sinner at your 9-to-5 masquerade ball? Just bear in mind that while the crown might fit, it’s much snazzier when it’s not achieved at the cost of your court. Now, don't just sit there contemplating your professional moral compass—go ahead and discover your giving or taking personality with a quizzical twist on BrainFall. It's not like your career depends on it... or does it?