Networking & Career / Giving Before Asking / Lesson 12

LESSON 12 · GIVING BEFORE ASKING

Pass It On

Eighteen easy tips to pay it forward, so kindness keeps travelling and your network grows warm.

Pass kindness on. Start a ripple.

26 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

26 tips that really help

These ideas come from Give and Take (Adam Grant), The Go-Giver (Bob Burg and John David Mann), Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Why pay it forward

When you pass kindness on, you help people who may never meet your first helper. It creates a warm ripple.

TRY THIS
Start one.

TIP 2

Remember who helped you

Think of three people who supported you. Gratitude fuels giving.

TRY THIS
Write three names.

TIP 3

Help someone a step behind you

You know what it feels like to start. Share what you wish you knew.

TRY THIS
Find one person.

TIP 4

Offer a small, clear help

A tip, an intro or a short chat is enough. Small acts spread.

TRY THIS
Offer one thing.

TIP 5

Tell your story

Share how someone helped you. Stories inspire others to help too.

TRY THIS
Share a story.

TIP 6

Ask them to pass it on

Say, if you can, help someone else one day. Simple asks start ripples.

TRY THIS
Ask kindly.

TIP 7

Join a mentoring or volunteer group

Groups make helping easy and regular. Find one near you.

TRY THIS
Join one.

TIP 8

Celebrate the ripple

Note when a helped person helps another. Joy grows.

TRY THIS
Notice joy.

TIP 9

Script: passing on

Someone once helped me, and now I would like to help you. Say it warmly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 10

Script: story

A kind person gave me advice that changed my career, so I share it with you. Say it gently.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 11

Script: ask

If this helps, please pass it on to someone else. Say it lightly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 12

Mistake: waiting until you feel successful

You can help right now, so start small.

TRY THIS
Start now.

TIP 13

Mistake: helping only to be thanked

Helping for praise feels hollow, so give from the heart.

TRY THIS
Give freely.

TIP 14

Troubleshoot: when you feel you have nothing to give

Share encouragement, a link or a listening ear. Small gifts matter.

TRY THIS
Give small.

TIP 15

Troubleshoot: when you feel too busy

Choose one monthly act. A little is better than nothing.

TRY THIS
Choose one.

TIP 16

Drill: pass on one tip this week

Share one tip that helped you with someone newer.

TRY THIS
Share it.

TIP 17

Drill: write a thank-you to your helper

Write a message to someone who helped you and tell them what you are doing now.

TRY THIS
Write it.

TIP 18

Make a monthly pay-it-forward date

Choose a day to help someone new. Habits make kindness regular.

TRY THIS
Pick a date.

TIP 19

Share what you learned in a short post

One lesson posted publicly may help many.

TRY THIS
Post a lesson.

TIP 20

Thank the person who helped you again

A second thanks keeps the ripple going.

TRY THIS
Thank again.

TIP 21

Encourage new members in groups

Welcome them by name. It feels great.

TRY THIS
Welcome one.

TIP 22

Example: the alumni helper

Ben always answers messages from new graduates. Now they send him business.

TRY THIS
Be Ben.

TIP 23

Example: the quiet mentor

Rita helps one junior colleague a month. Her team is stronger.

TRY THIS
Be Rita.

TIP 24

Troubleshoot: when you do not see results

Trust the ripple. Not all effects are visible.

TRY THIS
Trust it.

TIP 25

Join or start a small mentoring circle

A group of three or four people who share advice each month spreads kindness quickly and keeps you encouraged.

TRY THIS
Invite two people.

TIP 26

Celebrate when your help passes on

When someone you helped helps another person, share the news and smile, because it shows how far kindness travels.

TRY THIS
Share a story.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.

PASS

“Someone helped me, now I help you.”

SHARE

“Here is what helped me.”

MENTOR

“I can guide you a little.”

THANKS

“Thank you for the chance.”

RIPPLE

“Please pass it on.”

CLOSE

“Kindness grows.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Remember who helped you

DAY 2
Find someone to help

DAY 3
Offer something small

DAY 4
Tell your story

DAY 5
Ask them to pass it on

DAY 6
Celebrate

DAY 7
Repeat

Further reading

• Give and Take (Adam Grant)
• The Go-Giver (Bob Burg and John David Mann)
• Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Giving Before Asking lessons

More Networking & Career topics →

These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.