Give to Gain – What Does It Really Mean?

You may have heard the phrase before.

Give to Gain.

It’s often used in networking rooms, business communities and professional organisations.

But for many people, it still feels a little abstract.

Does it mean giving referrals?

Helping others first?

Sharing advice without expecting something in return?

Recently, during a special International Women’s Day conversation, five women from different areas of expertise explored what Give to Gain looks like for each in practice.

Joining the discussion were:

• Jane Jackson, Career Coach
• Gillian Whitney, Book Coach
• Gina Balarin, Speaking Coach
• Lynnaire Johnston, LinkedIn Coach
• Sigrid de Kaste, Networking Coach

Each of us reflected on what International Women’s Day means to us, how the principle of Give to Gain shows up in our own work, and shared one practical insight from our field of expertise.

And what emerged was something deeper than simply “helping others.”

It revealed a powerful truth about networking, visibility and professional growth.

 

Why “Give to Gain” Is Often Misunderstood

Many professionals initially interpret Give to Gain as something transactional.

“I help you today, and eventually you help me.”

But when networking is approached in that way, it rarely creates lasting impact.

People can feel the expectation behind the gesture.

The real meaning of Give to Gain, for me, is different.

I’ve experienced people expecting an immediate gain for a referral given however, most women give day & night, their entire life without always receiving –

Here’s a personal example:

Some years back I supported a group of elderly by driving them back & forth to appointments/destinations on my own costs.

Yes, I did feel ‘niggly’ at times about it, and I could have simply stopped, however, I continued and many years later I received 2 high-quality business referrals from two of the families of those elderly.

‘Because I’d cared’ – is what they said!

So, we can look at Give to Gain transactional or we can look at it caringly.

I prefer the second.

 

Another Dimension of “Give to Gain”

There is also another dimension to Give to Gain that many women recognise.

As women, we often give not only in our work and communities, but also across generations within our families.

I have personally gained from the giving of my grandmother, who was a woman far ahead of her time.

Because there was no male heir in the family to take over the business, her father ensured she received a strong education abroad so she could run the business herself — in what was then a very male-dominated world.

From her I inherited a deep sense of responsibility: to carry forward something of value, to respect the work that came before me, and to give meaningfully to others. She played a significant role in raising me, and that spirit of contribution stayed with me.

My own mother discovered her artistic talents much later in life, in her seventies, when she came to live with me. Watching her immerse herself in art, I realised that creative expression had also been passed down — a quiet gift that had always been there in me.

And when I look across the generations in my own family today, I see another gift that has travelled forward: the spirit of being in business, of serving others through our work.

That same instinct to support, contribute and create value for customers and clients now lives on in my son, my daughter, and even in my granddaughter.

Sometimes the most powerful form of Give to Gain is not immediate at all.

It unfolds slowly, across generations.

 

Why “Give to Gain” Matters More Than Ever

In today’s global business environment, visibility is no longer limited to local networks.

Professionals are connecting across countries, industries and disciplines.

But visibility alone does not build influence.

Trust does.

And trust grows through:

• Shared conversations
• Thoughtful contributions
• Consistent presence
• Mutual support

When professionals give insight, encouragement, ideas and connections without immediate expectation, they become recognised not just for what they do — but for how they contribute.

And that recognition often leads to:

• Referrals
• Collaborations
• Speaking invitations
• Partnership opportunities

Not because they asked.
But because others remember them.

 

Networking as a Visibility Multiplier

This is why Give to Gain is such a powerful networking principle.

When professionals participate in discussions — sharing ideas, asking questions, offering perspectives — they allow others to see how they think.

And when people understand how you think, they trust how you work.

That trust becomes the bridge between conversation and opportunity.

Inside structured networking environments, this process accelerates.

Introductions create the first layer of visibility.

Discussions deepen understanding.

And repeated interaction builds familiarity.

Over time, people don’t just know what you do.

They begin to recognise the value you bring.

 

The Real Outcome of Giving First

The true outcome of Give to Gain is not immediate return.

It is long-term reputation.

When people consistently see you:

• Contributing ideas
• Supporting others
• Sharing expertise
• Encouraging collaboration
• …they remember you.

And when the right opportunity arises, they naturally think of you.

That is the moment when giving transforms into gain.

Not because it was demanded.

But because it was earned.

 

A Final Thought

International Women’s Day is a reminder of how powerful collective support can be.

When professionals — and particularly women — choose collaboration over competition, knowledge over silence and encouragement over hesitation, entire communities grow stronger.

And that is the essence of Give to Gain.

Not a strategy.

But a way of showing up in business that creates trust, visibility and opportunity for everyone involved.

 

Article written by Sigrid de Kaste.
Sigrid helps coaches and consultants gain global visibility, global collaborations and clients consistently — by using networking as a strategic system.

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