Why Should We Selflessly Create Value for Others?
It's a radical concept that needs more attention
Imagine a world where everyone’s primary goal is to maximize their own happiness at the expense of everyone else’s. Sounds like the setting of a dystopian novel, right? The kind where the protagonist must fight against a system so selfish and corrupt that it eventually collapses in on itself. Now, what if I told you this is closer to reality than we’d like to admit? Fortunately, there’s a way out of this bleak scenario, and it involves a radical concept: selflessly creating value for others. Hold on to your seat, because we're diving into why this is not just a good idea, but a necessity for a thriving, sustainable society.
Let’s start with a myth that’s as pervasive as it is misleading: the idea that success comes from looking out for number one. This myth is perpetuated by the success stories of individual moguls who supposedly climbed to the top by stepping on the backs of others. News flash—these narratives are often more fiction than fact. Real success, the kind that lasts, is almost always built on the foundation of providing value to others.
Think about the companies that have changed the world: Apple, Amazon, Google. They didn’t rise to the top by hoarding resources or sabotaging their competition (well, not entirely). They succeeded because they created products and services that people wanted, that people valued. They focused on delivering value, and in return, they reaped enormous rewards. Selflessness, in this context, isn’t about sacrificing yourself for others; it’s about recognizing that your success is intrinsically linked to the value you create for others.
The Reciprocity Principle
Humans are wired for reciprocity. It’s baked into our DNA, a survival mechanism from our days as hunter-gatherers. You help me today, I help you tomorrow, and together we survive another day without becoming lunch for a saber-toothed tiger. This principle still holds true today, albeit in more sophisticated forms.
When you create value for others, you tap into this primal instinct. People are naturally inclined to return favors, to reciprocate kindness. This isn’t just feel-good fluff—it’s backed by science. Studies have shown that when people feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to go out of their way to help you in return. This creates a positive feedback loop, where acts of selflessness lead to mutual benefit and increased collaboration. In other words, by helping others, you’re also helping yourself, albeit indirectly.
Building Social Capital
Selflessly creating value for others is the cornerstone of building social capital. Social capital is the network of relationships, trust, and mutual obligations that make society function smoothly. It’s the glue that holds communities together, the invisible hand that guides cooperative behavior.
Imagine you’re in a neighborhood where everyone looks out for each other. Your neighbor lends you a lawnmower when yours breaks, and you help another neighbor fix a leaky roof. This exchange of value creates a tight-knit community where everyone benefits. Now, scale this up to a national or even global level. The more we invest in creating value for others, the richer our social capital becomes. This leads to more robust, resilient communities that can weather crises and bounce back stronger.
Here’s a secret that many people overlook: giving feels good. There’s a unique joy that comes from knowing you’ve made someone else’s life better. This isn’t just anecdotal; research shows that acts of kindness and generosity activate the same pleasure centers in the brain as eating chocolate or winning money. In other words, our brains are hardwired to enjoy helping others.
Moreover, the joy of giving is contagious. When you help someone, you’re not just making them feel good; you’re also inspiring them to pay it forward. This creates a ripple effect, where one act of kindness can lead to countless others. By selflessly creating value for others, you’re not just improving individual lives; you’re contributing to a culture of generosity and compassion.
Make the World a Better Place
So, why should we selflessly create value for others? Because it’s the smart thing to do. It’s a win-win scenario that benefits everyone involved, including yourself. It builds stronger, more resilient communities, fosters a culture of reciprocity and trust, and brings joy to both the giver and the receiver.
In a world that often glorifies selfishness and individual success, choosing to create value for others is a radical act of defiance. It’s a declaration that we’re all in this together, and that our success is intertwined with the well-being of those around us. So, go ahead—be selfless, create value, and watch as the world becomes a better place for everyone. And if that’s not reason enough, remember: it feels pretty damn good too.
Hi there, I’m Brian, and in addition to this Substack, I wrote Talk Tech To Me. I take on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplify them for the modern recruiter.
Love this, Brian. Make no mistake, you know I'll be giving this my attention soon enough!