Whenever I get off the phone with Chris, he asks if there’s anything he can do for me.

It’s not the “let me know if I can help with anything” lip service that people hope you never take them up on, it’s an “adding value to your life would bring me joy, and it would be my pleasure to assist” kinda thing. And Chris has an enviable network of prominent startup founders, CEOs, and artists so the offer is not insignificant.

Chris doesn’t need another action item added to his list, his business is rapidly growing and he doesn’t owe me any favors. He does it because that’s the kind of person he is. 99% of the time, I will politely decline and thank him for taking the time to ask (again).

In the world of what-can-you-do-for-me opportunism and selfish networking, leading with generosity speaks volumes.