What Radical Generosity in Business Means to Me

maggie gentry radical generosity
 

Radical Generosity is one of the core beliefs in my business. It’s the one that I return to again and again when I feel stuck, confused, or uninspired. When I’m facing uncertainty, this simple question will often point me towards home: What can I do in this moment that would be radically generous?

As I started the process of uncovering the core beliefs for my business, I began with looking at what I didn’t want. For me, a more direct way to access truth is to initiate the investigation with strong emotions. In this case, I thought about those times in which I had personally felt agitated, irritated, annoyed, or downright angry. As I explored the recesses of my experiences with other companies and brands, I realized that I found transactional interactions utterly repulsive. Nothing makes my blood boil hotter than a complete disregard for real human connection.

So then the question became: What is the polar opposite of transaction? 

For me, it’s Radical Generosity.

Since it is one of my core beliefs, I think of it like bedrock. It’s the foundational component living underneath the surface, supporting all of my endeavors.

I define Radical Generosity as a way of operating that puts the act of giving at the forefront, releasing any attachment surrounding the expectation of getting something in return.

How I see it, giving is not an afterthought; it’s not a nice-to-have. It’s inherent, pervasive, and evident. 

The key difference for me between regular ol’ generosity and Radical Generosity is that last phrase of the definition above — releasing any attachment surrounding the expectation of getting something in return.

I do this so imperfectly. It is a big part of my own internal work (releasing expectations, that is), and I think that’s also why I felt compelled to bring this into my business… because I am presented daily with opportunities to practice this. 

This key differentiator for me between generosity and Radical Generosity was greatly inspired by one of my favorite poets David Whyte. In his poem “Just Beyond Yourself” he encourages us to step outside of what’s comfortable and towards a beckoning of the heart that’s asking for more. 

As I write this, I’m already envisioning some hesitations/questions that might be coming up for you: 

  • But Maggie, I have to earn a living. I can’t just give it all away.

  • I hear what you’re saying and am halfway on board, but I’ve tried this before and been taken advantage of. How do I give while also honoring and protecting myself?

  • My resources are depleted (whether that’s financial, emotional or energetic), and I don’t see where else I can possibly give. How can I offer anything from this place?

To each of these, I would say:

  • 1000% agree. I’m not asking you to. I am encouraging you to examine what you’re currently doing to see where you might open up to a bit more giving.

  • I am right there in the trenches with you on this one. I’m a 2 on the Enneagram and would give it all away for free if I could because my entire being enjoys nothing more than to be of service. And this is where my practice of defining boundaries (and sticking to them!) really comes into place. I wrote a little bit more about that here.

  • When this is true for you, first, take a break. Rest. Replenish. Restore. Because you’re exactly right, you cannot give to others when you yourself are depleted. So when you find yourself with your own tank on empty, pause. As you rest, invite in gratitude and loads of self-compassion (I really love this 5-minute Self-Compassion Break by Dr. Kristin Neff). Begin to cultivate the feelings of abundance within you for what’s here in this moment. Gratitude and awareness combined create a breeding ground for spaciousness to arrive.

To step out of the theoretical and ground us in practical for a moment, here’s an example of how I have proactively implemented this for my own business: My monthly newsletter

Towards the end of 2019, I dedicated time to thinking about how I wanted to revamp my newsletter. I had been brainstorming new offerings and trying to think about how to combine my love for mindfulness and meditation with my love for marketing. What started out as an idea for a paid offering has turned into what the newsletter is today. This came about as I was simultaneously thinking about both, while asking myself at the same time: How can I make this radically generous? How can I go just beyond myself?

Once I asked, I knew immediately that what I had planned to be the new paid offering was really meant to be the newsletter — open to all and with the intent to support the hearts and souls of other high-conscious entrepreneurs who also desire to do business differently.

More than anything, my intent in writing this is to show how I have allowed honest inquiry to present a truth, a core belief, and then show how I’ve implemented it in my business. Radical Generosity might not be a core belief for you. But what is your truth? And, how might you approach your business in new ways when you organize it around your beliefs?

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Photo credit: Creating Light Studio

 
Own Your WhyMaggie GentryComment