Give and Take is a book by Adam Grant that explores the concept of givers and takers in the workplace. The book categorizes people into three groups: givers, takers, and matchers.

Givers are individuals who are always willing to help others and provide value without expecting anything in return. They are the ones who go out of their way to help others and share their knowledge, skills, and resources. They tend to be the most successful people in their fields because they build strong relationships and networks, and foster a culture of generosity and collaboration.

Givers can avoid being taken advantage of by setting boundaries and communicating them clearly. This includes setting limits on the time and resources they are willing to give, and being firm about what they expect in return for their help. It’s also important for givers to recognize when they are being taken advantage of, and to be willing to say “no” when someone is making unreasonable demands on their time or resources.

Another way givers can avoid being taken advantage of is by building a network of other givers, who will reciprocate the generosity and support. Givers should also be mindful of their own needs and make sure they are taking care of themselves, so they don’t burn out.

Givers can also use a technique called “strategic giving” which involves being selective in who they help and how they help. By being strategic, givers can focus their efforts on helping people who are most likely to reciprocate their generosity, or who can provide valuable resources or opportunities in return.

Additionally, Givers can use “tit-for-tat” approach, which means that they can help people with expectation of getting something in return, but not necessarily on the same day or from the same person. This approach allows them to continue to be helpful and generous, but also ensures that their kindness is not taken for granted.

Here are some signs that may indicate that someone is a giver:

• They are willing to lend a hand: Givers are often the first to offer help or assistance when someone needs it.
• They are good listeners: Givers tend to be good listeners and are genuinely interested in what others have to say.
• They are willing to share: Givers are often willing to share their resources, knowledge, and expertise with others.
• They are good collaborators: Givers tend to be good team players and are comfortable working with others to achieve a common goal.
• They are willing to admit their mistakes: Givers tend to be honest and transparent, and are willing to admit their mistakes and learn from them.
• They are willing to give credit: Givers tend to give credit where credit is due and acknowledge the contributions of others.
• They are sensitive to others’ needs: Givers are often aware of the needs of others and are willing to help in any way they can.

It’s worth noting that, Givers are not always easy to spot, they may not always speak up, but their actions reflect their generosity. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to their actions, rather than just their words.

Takers, on the other hand, are individuals who are always looking to get ahead, and will do whatever it takes to achieve their own success, even if it means taking advantage of others. They tend to be very self-centered and lack empathy for others. They are often seen as arrogant and pushy, and may be viewed as less trustworthy and less well-liked.

Here are some signs that may indicate that someone is a taker:

• They talk more than they listen: Takers tend to be more focused on promoting themselves and their accomplishments than on hearing about others.
• They are always looking for an angle: Takers are often looking for ways to benefit from a situation, even if it means taking advantage of others.
• They don’t return favors: Takers may be quick to ask for help, but are often unwilling to reciprocate when others need assistance.
• They are not interested in others’ success: Takers tend to be more focused on their own success than on helping others to achieve their goals.
• They are not willing to share credit: Takers may take credit for the successes of others, and do not acknowledge the contributions of their team members or colleagues.
• They are not willing to help others: Takers may appear unapproachable and unwilling to help others out, they only help if they see a direct benefit in it.

The third group, matchers, are individuals who believe that the world is a fair place and that you should only help others if they help you in return. Matchers tend to be less successful than givers, and often miss out on opportunities because they are too focused on maintaining balance in their relationships.