[W Forum] The Life of Giving First

Recently, there has been a craze for wealth management through various methods such as stocks, cryptocurrencies, and paintings. Amid this trend, the demand for inquiries and consultations regarding PBs (Private Bankers) is increasing.

The virtue of becoming a good PB can be expressed in the shortest phrase as "the ability to quickly deliver hard-to-find excellent financial products to clients." Providing products that align with the times, minimize the risk of loss, and can be recovered with satisfactory returns for clients can sometimes be more difficult than expected. Moving even one step slower can mean losing the opportunity to secure satisfactory financial products, and since the success or failure of the client portfolio recovery results returns as performance to the individual PB, a competitive atmosphere often forms both inside and outside the organization.

PBs face various concerns while carrying out their duties. When thinking about success as a PB, there is no end to considerations such as what attitude to take in forming relationships with clients and what kind of seniors, juniors, and colleagues to embody within the organization.

Recently, I came across a book that clearly organizes these thoughts. People who form relationships with others in their families, social lives, and respective networks can be broadly divided into three types. First, those who worry about what help they can provide to others and strive to give what is beneficial to them. Second, those who focus on what benefits and help they can gain for themselves. Lastly, those who want to help others as much as they have received. Most people I have met in business belong to the last group. They do not harm others and may establish the most rational logic of "I give you one, and I receive one in return."

However, the author advises not to expect compensation before giving something but to give first. When you have a mountain of tasks to solve, helping others might cause you to face more than double the difficulties or always achieve your work later than others. You might belong to the group that finds it hardest to reach success.

As expected, a survey conducted on various professional groups showed that a significant number of those with lower work performance belonged to the "help others first" group. What surprises us here is that the majority of people who achieved the best work performance also belonged to the group that "benefited others before themselves." The most important core is that beyond the "three elements" necessary for success?ability, achievement motivation, and opportunity?the more crucial factor is "interaction with others."

The biggest reason people hesitate to take the lead in helping others unconditionally is the fear of being the only one to suffer losses and fall behind. When climbing a small mountain, someone who climbs up and down quickly alone without helping others may seem like an excellent mountaineer. But can one plan to climb Everest alone? Will someone who never once helped a companion on a small mountain climb suddenly find someone saying, "Let's climb Everest together"? Even if it looks like a slow pace, climbing the mountain while helping those beside you will eventually lead to many true friends with whom you can share the awe-inspiring joy at Everest’s summit.

Rather than running forward like a racehorse, I hope to have more experiences where someone succeeds because of me. Lastly, while a good heart is certainly necessary to provide the help others need, it alone is not enough. Professional knowledge and sincerity are also required.

Yoon Bowon, Sales Executive, Hana Financial Investment Club1WM Center