I’m truly grateful for people who give more than they take. In our often transactional business world, these individuals stand out like beacons of hope and humanity.
Recently, I experienced something that perfectly illustrates this rare quality. Nathan Ennis, president of Seedsbark here in Charlotte, hosted a private dinner for local CEOs and company founders. What made this gathering special? These business leaders were strangers to each other before the evening began.
The most striking part was that Nathan himself didn’t know most of the attendees either. He simply created this opportunity out of a genuine desire to foster connections without any hidden agenda. No selling. No pitches. No ulterior motives. Just the pure intention of bringing together like-minded entrepreneurs who might benefit from knowing each other.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
During my years of working with business leaders, I’ve observed a concerning trend. Our professional interactions have become increasingly transactional. Everyone seems to be asking, “What’s in it for me?” before extending themselves to others. This mindset has created a culture where genuine connection has become the exception rather than the rule.
That’s why what Nathan and Chad Jenkins (Seedsbark’s founder) did feels so refreshing. They represent a different approach to business relationships—one built on giving first without expectation of return.
The dinner was such an unexpectedly cool experience.
I walked into that dinner expecting the usual networking event where everyone exchanges cards and makes small talk while secretly assessing each other’s usefulness. Instead, I found myself in a space where people were encouraged to be authentic, vulnerable, and genuinely curious about each other.
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The Power of Agenda-Free Connection
What makes this approach so powerful? I believe it comes down to three key elements:
- Trust is built faster when people know there’s no hidden sales pitch coming
- Authentic relationships form when we connect as humans first, professionals second
- Unexpected collaborations emerge naturally when we remove pressure and expectations
These elements create a foundation for business relationships that can withstand challenges and evolve over time. They’re the antidote to the superficial networking that has become all too common.
Creating a Culture of Giving
I’ve observed that business communities thrive when they have a critical mass of givers. These are the people who ask “How can I help?” before “What can I get?” They make introductions without expecting commission. They share knowledge freely. They celebrate others’ successes as enthusiastically as their own.
Chad and Nathan exemplify this giver mentality. By creating Seedsbark and hosting events like this dinner, they’re actively cultivating a business community based on generosity rather than extraction.
This approach isn’t just lovely—it’s smart. Research consistently shows that givers build stronger networks, inspire greater loyalty, and often achieve more sustainable success than takers. The most successful business relationships are rarely transactional; they’re transformational.
A Challenge for All of Us
As business leaders, we face a choice in how we approach our professional relationships. We can continue down the path of transactional networking, or we can embrace a more generous approach.
I challenge you to consider: Who are the givers in your professional life? How might you honor them? More importantly, how might you become more of a giver yourself?
Perhaps it starts with hosting your own agenda-free gathering. Or making an introduction that benefits others without direct benefit to you. Or simply approaching your next networking event with the question “How can I help?” rather than “Who here can help me?”
I’m grateful for entrepreneurs like Chad and Nathan who remind us what business at its best can look like. Who are you grateful for?
