TED: Are you a giver or a taker? | Adam Grant

The video explores the dynamics of givers, takers, and matchers in organizations. It highlights how givers, despite often being the worst performers, can also be the best, contributing significantly to organizational success. The speaker discusses the importance of creating environments that support givers, identifying and managing takers, and valuing disagreeable givers for their critical feedback. The ultimate goal is to foster a culture where success is defined by contribution rather than competition.

What is the primary characteristic of a 'taker' in an organization?

• They avoid interactions with others.

• They focus on what they can do for others.

• They are self-serving in their interactions.

• They seek a balance between giving and taking.

What is the term used for people who balance giving and taking?

• Takers

• Givers

• Balancers

• Matchers

According to the speaker, which group tends to perform the worst in various professions?

• All perform equally

• Takers

• Givers

• Matchers

What surprising pattern did the speaker find about givers in sales?

• They always have the highest revenue.

• They are never the top performers.

• They perform consistently across all metrics.

• They are overrepresented at both the top and bottom of revenue metrics.

What is a key strategy for helping givers succeed in an organization?

• Encouraging competition among employees

• Promoting a culture of help-seeking

• Avoiding any form of feedback

• Focusing solely on individual achievements

What is a 'five-minute favor' according to Adam Rifkin?

• A favor that requires no effort

• A task that takes more than five minutes

• A lengthy commitment to help others

• A small act that adds significant value to others

What is the effect of having a 'taker' in a team?

• It boosts the team's overall productivity.

• It encourages more giving behavior.

• It can spoil the team's culture.

• It has no significant impact.

What is the speaker's view on hiring for a culture of generosity?

• Hire only givers

• Hire a mix of givers and takers

• Focus on weeding out takers

• Avoid hiring matchers

How does the speaker describe 'agreeable takers'?

• As people who are critical and challenging

• As individuals who are consistently generous

• As people who are tough on the surface but kind underneath

• As individuals who are nice to your face but deceitful behind your back

What does the speaker suggest is the most meaningful way to succeed?

• Achieving personal goals

• Accumulating wealth

• Helping others succeed

• Winning competitions