Why Giving Value First is the Secret to Building Lasting Relationships
Why Giving Value First is the Secret to Building Lasting Relationships
When it comes to building relationships—whether personal or professional—the common thread that holds them together is trust. Trust is the foundation of all successful relationships, and it’s not something that can be demanded or expected. Instead, it’s earned, and one of the most powerful ways to earn trust is by giving value first.
Over the years, I’ve learned that providing value before asking for anything in return is not just a strategy—it’s a mindset that fosters genuine connections and creates opportunities for mutual growth. In my career, from PlutusFi to Tapbit and BigONE Exchange, I’ve consistently applied this principle, and it has led to some of my most rewarding professional experiences and partnerships.
In this article, I’ll explore the importance of giving value first, how it plays a pivotal role in relationship-building, and share some personal stories from my journey where applying this philosophy led to lasting, impactful connections.
The Power of Giving Value First
1. Building Trust and Credibility
When you offer value to someone without expecting anything in return, you demonstrate that you are trustworthy, generous, and capable. This approach encourages people to take you seriously and see you as a genuine asset. By contrast, asking for something upfront can come across as self-serving, which can put others off.
Personal Story:
During my time at PlutusFi, I was tasked with expanding our ecosystem by forging strategic partnerships. One of the companies I reached out to was a small but growing decentralized finance (DeFi) platform. Rather than immediately proposing a partnership or asking for business, I offered to share some insights I’d learned about improving liquidity management in the DeFi space. I gave them detailed advice based on my experiences.
This gesture built trust, and a few weeks later, they came back to me with a collaboration proposal, seeing the value in working together. That relationship has since flourished into a long-term partnership. By offering value first, I created an environment where they saw me as a helpful and credible professional.
2. Differentiating Yourself in a Competitive World
In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, many people approach relationships with a “what’s in it for me?” mentality. Everyone wants to maximize their gain, but very few stand out by focusing on how they can help others. When you give value first, you immediately differentiate yourself from the crowd. It’s a refreshing approach that garners attention and fosters long-term loyalty.
Example from BigONE Exchange:
While working as part of the business development team at BigONE Exchange, I knew that the crypto space was saturated with competitors vying for attention from the same clients and partners. Rather than jumping straight into pitch meetings or asking for introductions, I focused on providing insights about market trends, potential use cases for their projects, and shared introductions to people I thought could add value to their work.
Over time, the trust I built made it much easier to have honest, strategic conversations, and soon after, we had established partnerships that were much more impactful than any cold pitch could have been. Giving value first allowed me to rise above the noise and foster real, meaningful connections.
3. Creating a Culture of Reciprocity
One of the greatest benefits of giving value first is that it sets the tone for reciprocity. People are more likely to give back when they’ve received something valuable from you. The key here is that reciprocity doesn’t mean expecting something immediately in return—it simply means that people will be inclined to help you when the time comes, because you’ve already demonstrated your willingness to give.
Personal Story:
I experienced this firsthand while working with Tapbit. There was an emerging project that I felt had the potential to do great things in the Web3 space, and I offered them some pro bono consulting on their tokenomics and roadmap. I didn’t ask for anything in return—just wanted to offer value. A few months later, when Tapbit was looking to expand our market presence, this same project reached out to me, offering a partnership that aligned perfectly with our goals.
That gesture of giving value without any expectation helped me build a lasting relationship that came full circle in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The principle of reciprocity in action was both rewarding and humbling.
4. Creating Genuine Connections
When you give value first, you move beyond transactional relationships and into the realm of genuine connections. These relationships are far more rewarding because they are based on mutual respect and trust, rather than simply what each party can gain from the other.
Example from PlutusFi:
At PlutusFi, I collaborated with a number of Web3 influencers, not by pitching our product or asking for promotional help, but by first offering them value—whether that was providing insights into the latest DeFi trends or connecting them with other professionals they could benefit from.
By offering them value up front, I was able to foster an authentic relationship that wasn’t rooted in just business transactions. These influencers became more open to supporting our platform when the time came, not because we asked for their help, but because they respected our approach and saw our commitment to contributing to the community.
How to Give Value First
1. Share Knowledge and Insights
One of the easiest ways to provide value is by sharing what you know. Whether it’s industry trends, lessons you’ve learned from past experiences, or resources that could benefit someone else, knowledge is one of the most valuable things you can give.
2. Make Introductions
If you know someone who could benefit from meeting someone else, facilitate the introduction. Helping others expand their network shows that you are invested in their success.
3. Offer Your Expertise
If you have a skill that can help someone—whether it’s in tech, marketing, business strategy, or personal development—don’t hesitate to offer your assistance. Your expertise can be incredibly valuable to someone who is looking for guidance.
4. Show Support and Encouragement
Sometimes, just showing genuine interest in someone’s work and offering moral support can go a long way. A thoughtful message, a comment on their work, or a simple gesture of encouragement can make all the difference.
The Long-Term Benefits of Giving Value First
Giving value first isn’t a short-term tactic—it’s a long-term strategy that pays dividends over time.
Stronger, More Loyal Relationships: When you offer value, you attract people who genuinely respect you and your work.
Increased Opportunities for Collaboration: As you build trust, people will be more open to working with you.
A Reputation for Integrity: Giving value consistently helps build a reputation for being reliable, ethical, and generous—qualities that are priceless in business and life.
Conclusion
The philosophy of giving value first isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a way of life. In my career, from my time at PlutusFi to Tapbit and BigONE Exchange, I’ve seen how this mindset leads to deeper relationships, stronger collaborations, and ultimately, greater success. Whether you’re building partnerships, advancing your career, or fostering friendships, the act of giving without expecting anything in return creates an environment where trust thrives and genuine connections can flourish.
By offering value first, you’ll not only elevate those around you but also build a reputation that will attract opportunities and relationships that last a lifetime.