A couple of weeks ago I was messaged on LinkedIn by an intern working at a cable network. Her communication was simple: “I’d like to have an informational about your career as a writer.” Informational? I had never heard the term. What did it mean? I followed up with the intern and asked if an informational was, in fact, a 2022 term for “Pick Your Brain.” She answered in the affirmative. Yikes!
I don’t enjoy brain picking…
Well now, I had a quandary on my hands because though I enjoy helping people, I don’t enjoy my brain being picked. Brain picking reminds me of things like root canals, walking into a hornet’s nest, or changing a flat tire in a rainstorm. I thought for a few moments and sent a message to the intern and said, “I don’t enjoy brain picking, but you can send me an email and I’ll happily respond to some questions.” For me, that was a happy medium. Weeks later, I still haven’t heard back from the intern. Did we make a wrong turn somewhere? This experience is the inspiration behind this week’s article: 5 Ways Of How To Use Reciprocity To Help Your Career.
When I was a kid, my mom told me never visit a person’s house without taking them something. It could be a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, a baked good, or even a note of well wishing. The idea was planted in my head, if you go somewhere and you know they are going to feed you, be kind to you, or be hospitable to you, take something for them as well. Allow the benefit to be mutual. You’re going to receive something for showing up, they are going to receive something for hosting you. This mutual benefit ensures that you will always have somewhere to go and people will always be glad to see you.
Why should you choose reciprocity?
#1 Reciprocity Keeps Relationships Balanced
I’ve taken the idea of mutual benefit into every relationship that I have. It keeps my relationships balanced and it reminds me not to take people for granted. For example, I recently called a friend asking for home inspection advice. I know this friend doesn’t need anything from me at this moment, but if he were to ask me for something, I certainly feel like I must extend the kindness of at least what he has already given to me. I realize that he didn’t have to stop what he was doing to give me advice and I appreciate his time. In relationships where there is reciprocity, no one feels unappreciated.
In RELATIONSHIPS WHERE THERE IS RECIPROCITY, NO ONE FEELS UNAPPRECIATED.
#2 Reciprocity Open Doors Of Opportunity
I take the idea of mutual benefit aka reciprocity into all of my potential relationships as well. When I think about reaching out to a new contact, I think about how a relationship with me could be beneficial to them. And if I’m emailing someone, I will state upfront, “This is how I could be helpful to you as well.” In my career, I have found that people are more receptive to a person who can say, “I’m also willing to help you for the time you’re willing to share with me.” In the “Intern” case above, had this young lady said, “I’d like to have an informational with you and I can do something for you in return for your time,” it would have changed the whole conversation. I would have been excited by the idea that someone is coming to me in a reciprocal fashion.
PEOPLE ARE MORE RECEPTIVE TO A PERSON WHO CAN SAY, ‘I’M ALSO WILLING TO HELP YOU…’
#3 Reciprocity Gets Projects Moving Faster
In the Black TV Film Crew community, I love to hear filmmakers offer to shoot someone else’s film or project in exchange for someone else working on their project. “I’ll bring my camera. You bring your script.” When this happens, it’s no longer one person struggling on one project. Instead, two people work together with energy and dedication to complete two projects. Consequently, it’s a game changer.
I’LL BRING MY CAMERA. YOU BRING YOUR SCRIPT.
#4 Reciprocity Keeps You Hired
When I work I on a television show, I look for ways—outside of my job—to support my teammates. Last year, I remember writing for a true crime show on A&E. I built an authentic personal relationship with my direct supervisor and not because I wanted anything extra. As a reciprocal thinking person, I wanted to be helpful to her in any way that I could. And the fact is: She helped me by hiring me. So, if I can do something helpful for someone who has helped me, why wouldn’t I? Being helpful is a memorable trait. If people can remember you, they’ll hire you.
BEING HELPFUL IS A MEMORABLE TRAIT.
#5 Reciprocity Motivates You
Confession. I get giddy sometimes thinking about the benefits that happen in a reciprocal relationship. For example, you could partner with a brand that can help you grow your audience. And in return, you could do something for them that is easy for you, but is difficult for them. That’s a win / win scenario. That partnership is motivational because you’re growing and learning from each other. And, you’re probably covering more ground faster.
That partnership is motivational because you’re growing and learning from each other.
Finally, I decided to write this article after a conversation that I had with a new colleague at LinkedIn. Our conversation reminded me of how good reciprocity can be in building careers, relationships and your bank account. I hope this helps someone. Peace…
