--- title: Pay It Forward description: Pay It Forward --- [![Shift The Work](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shift_The_Work_July2018/images/new-shift-logo-mobile.png?width=300&height=328&name=new-shift-logo-mobile.png "Shift The Work")](https://www.shiftthework.com/) - [About](https://www.shiftthework.com/about-shift/) - [Blog](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog) - [Latch](https://www.shiftthework.com/latch) - [CONSULTING](https://www.shiftthework.com/shift-consulting) - [SOCIETY](https://www.shiftthework.com/shift-society/) [![Shift The Work](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shift_The_Work_July2018/images/new-shift-logo-mobile.png?width=300&height=328&name=new-shift-logo-mobile.png "Shift The Work")](https://www.shiftthework.com/) [![Shift The Work](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shift_The_Work_July2018/images/new-shift-logo.png?width=348&height=348&name=new-shift-logo.png "Shift The Work")](https://www.shiftthework.com/) - [About](https://www.shiftthework.com/about-shift/) - [Blog](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog) - [Latch](https://www.shiftthework.com/latch) - [CONSULTING](https://www.shiftthework.com/shift-consulting) - [SOCIETY](https://www.shiftthework.com/shift-society/) [← Return to Posts](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog) # Pay It Forward May 5, 2016 *•* [Joe Mechlinski](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/author/joe-mechlinski) I have a belief that, the more you give, the more you get. So I have no problem sitting down with somebody who is authentically seeking help and giving them a free education, even if there is really no chance that they are going to reciprocate. Our initial mentor in this business taught us this. When we first started the company in 2001, a friend recommended him as somebody we really needed to talk to, even though we were theoretically a competitor of his. He was light years ahead of us, but we were still a competitor. Joe happened to be in Boston on business, so he made the call and said, “I’d really like to pick your brain.” He said, “Come on up.” It was about a $120 cab ride to get there. I remember Joe called me and said this is going to cost about $240 round trip, but I can’t get to a car, but I think it’s worth it. So we did it. At that time, $240 was a huge deal. But Joe spent a couple of hours with him. He gave us sample proposals, contracts, outlines and spreadsheets – everything we needed. The only thing he asked in reciprocation was, “If you are ever in a position to do this for somebody who is starting out in business, do it.” So I will always take those meetings, even if I know that there is not going to be a reciprocation. ### Share this: - Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) - Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ### *Related* [Why We're All-in on Context-driven Surveys](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/context-driven-surveys) November 1, 2023 In "High Performance" [Less Overload = Faster Reintegration](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/latch-unlocks-less-overload-faster-reintergration) September 26, 2023 In "High Performance" [Ignorance is bliss until it's not](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/latch-unlocks-ignorance-is-bliss-until-its-not) September 26, 2023 In "High Performance" TOPICS: [High Performance](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/tag/high-performance), [Employee Engagement](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/tag/employee-engagement) #### RECENT POSTS ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.47.12%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.47.12%20AM.png) The Shocking Truth About the Hidden Cost of Meetings](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/the-shocking-truth-about-the-hidden-cost-of-meetings) ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.43.13%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.43.13%20AM.png) 5 Surprising Truths Employees Miss About Their Leaders](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/5-surprising-truths-employees-miss-about-their-leaders) ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.36.18%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.36.18%20AM.png) Big Ideas & Bold Predictions for 2024](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/big-ideas-bold-predictions-for-2024) ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%208.23.22%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%208.23.22%20AM.png) Are You Ready for the AI Leap in Leadership?](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/are-you-ready-for-the-ai-leap-in-leadership) ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%208.21.43%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%208.21.43%20AM.png) Are You Ready For Your Next Big Meeting?](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/are-you-ready-for-your-next-big-meeting) [![Shift The Work](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shift_The_Work_July2018/images/new-shift-logo-rev.png?width=348&height=348&name=new-shift-logo-rev.png "Shift The Work")](https://www.shiftthework.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.shiftthework.com/contact-us) - [Latch](https://www.shiftthework.com/latch) © 2026 SHIFT. 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