Volunteering versus the Law of Reciprocity

I travelled with my Family over the weekend to the sunshine coast. A beautiful 45 minute Ferry ride and we were there early Saturday morning. Not a cloud in the sky and the kids excited to be released from the confines of Dad's "Don Cherry Mobile" as they like to call it.

The trip was planned around an opportunity to volunteer my services ( I have a fairly extensive background in restaurants and cooking) to my friends at Remax top 20 in Gibsons. They were putting on their annual BBQ for the Sea Cavalcade and were in need of a cook to help out and man the BBQ. I volunteered.

After the 3 hours and overcoming the frozen Salmon steaks it was a success with nary a complaint and a few compliments to boot. All in all a success right?

Absolutely.

But when I got back home after cleaning up, it got me to thinking.

There are 2 factors at play here, and I never even thought of the second one even though it was right there all along.

You see even if your heart is in the right place, it can still be perceived in a different way. We are after all human and flawed right?

Here are the 2 things at play I am speaking of:

Volunteering is the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services. You are basically giving of yourself without the expectation of something in return.

simple.

But what about the other part of that equation that is so often bound together if not mistaken for each other...

What about Reciprocity...

The law of reciprocity.

"One of the most potent of the weapons of influence around us is the rule for reciprocation. The rule says that we should try to repay, in kind, what another person has provided us."

Robert B. Cialdini, author of The Psychology of Persuasion (William Morrow, 1993)

So, even though I volunteered my time and services without the thought of having or receiving anything in return, was my heart in the right place?

I think it was...at least the intentions were there.

But do I expect my Realtor friends at Remax top 20 to return the favour in some way?

Hard to say.

The kid I was raised to be by my parents says no. I did this to help out and make a difference, which I did.

But the Business owner in me says yes. The Business man in me is hoping that I stay top of mind should any mortgage related business arise in the next little bit...you know maybe throw one my way to say thanks.

Well now, in being honest where does that leave me?

Am I the quality human being that Mom and Dad raised me to be and helped a good cause on the weekend?

or....

Am I the conniving and manipulative businessman (these are ultimately the successful ones in life) ?

In my heart I did it solely to make a difference and help out. That is what allows me to sleep at night knowing that I did it for the right reasons and not masking it with an ulterior motive.

Would love to hear some stories and thoughts on what if any experience as a business professional you have had and would like to share.

We can discuss on Facebook or Twitter or in response to my post here.

Check out my webpage if you have time...learn about what is going on in today's mortgage world !
www.kevynoyhenart.ca

Have a great day.

Kevyn