Giving > receiving, but teaching is > giving


Tell me if you disagree with this:

Most of us aren't very good at giving referrals.

I don't mean this to be harsh. You can have a big heart. And you can want to give referrals.

But wanting doesn't equal doing.

So seriously...when's the last time you actually gave one?

And how much time was there between that one, and the one before that?

Weeks? Months? Years?

Why is that? When generosity is such a great way to build a business?

This simple answer for most people is, we're just not comfortable with it.

We're not comfortable with giving them...maybe because we're afraid to make the wrong recommendation.

And we're not comfortable with asking for them...usually because it's awkward.

But like all things we want to get good at, first we have to learn. And then we have to practice.

And mastering the art of giving referrals—moreover, the art of generosity—is probably one of the best things you can do.

That the biblical principle of being a giver. It's from the book of Ezra.

(Check out the video for more, or read on below...)

video preview

Ezra studied things that mattered. He practiced things that mattered. And most importantly? He taught them.

The idea here is to study ways to give more referrals, and then practice ways to give more referrals...

...because here's the brilliance...

When you do those two things—when you study, and you practice —you actually become great at giving referrals.

So what happens?

The law of reciprocity kicks in with people actively trying to support your business.

Which is great of course. But all that work you put in to study and practice? You can put it to even greater use.

Because once you master the art of giving referrals, you can start teaching that process.

And when you start teaching your shoulder industries—the people who refer you—how to be better givers...?

That's a game changer.

So start putting the work in. There are all kinds of resources to help...you only have to seek them out.

(By the way, I'm one of them: I've got a framework called the Trusted Advisor Playbook that helps small business owners do it all the time. If you're interested in talking about that, please let me know. I'd be happy to walk you through it.)

In the meantime, start evolving your mindset to be a giver!

Brian


Whenever you're ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:

  1. Work with me to transform your referral relationships. (Booking into July - let's talk)
  2. Get your own board of advisors with ACCELERATE Boardroom (See if it's a fit here)

Get Radically Referable

Each week, get 1 actionable tip to help demystify the secrets of building a referral-based business | Join 1K+ readers

Read more from Get Radically Referable
video preview

Hello, relational leaders. First, thank you for being you. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a small business owner or a commission-based professional who believes in growing through relationships. And you’re right to think that way. Because while the world chases attention through social media, AI, or the next shiny marketing hack, what really wins is emotional loyalty. Attention fades. Loyalty compounds. When you build emotional loyalty with your referral partners, your shoulder...

video preview

Hey, Relational Leaders, I had a great conversation this week with one of my coaching clients. He’s got some big sales goals on the board. You know that feeling—trying to stretch but also stay true to how you want to grow. So he asked me, “Brian, my branch manager wants me to go out and market this unique product we have, but I can’t get through the gatekeepers. What should I do?” And I paused. Because honestly, my first answer was, I don’t know. Here’s why. That’s sales. If you’ve followed...

video preview

Hey there, relational leaders. I want to share a quick story about one of my coaching clients. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re a small business owner or a commission-based professional. And like many of us, the relationships that lead to referrals — the kind that drive your results — really matter to you. It’s not always easy. That’s why I like to share real success stories from clients who are doing it well. This one’s about a client named Ben. Ben’s in the mortgage industry, and...