Since the “Paying it Forward” movement in 2000, we have all heard the term, but why is paying it forward important in the workplace? Let’s take my friend Susan. In 2023, Susan was one of the 262,735 people who had been laid off. For months, Susan applied to about fifteen new jobs a week, but she found her dream job not through a job site such as LinkedIn or Indeed. She found her job through years of paying it forward. For ten years, Susan has provided pro bono services to non-profit organizations to assist in their operations and financials. When she was laid off, one of the individuals she volunteered
with offered Susan a job at an organization that was a perfect fit for Susan’s background, experience, and current career goals.
Susan’s story is not an anomaly. The Corporation for National and Community Service says those who volunteer and pay it forward are 27% more likely to land a job compared to someone who does not volunteer and Deloitte has found 81% of all hiring managers believe skilled volunteerism should be considered in a hiring decision. So, why is paying it forward important? Of course, volunteering helps an organization’s brand, but paying it forward also provides other key skills and experiences that organizations look for in employees such as: it builds character, leadership skills, and shows initiative. Those who volunteer are individuals who tend to go above and beyond, have a purpose, can manage stressful situations, have a strong belief system, and are people who care about others and the planet. All of these key traits are traits organizations want as part of their workplace culture.
In a world where organizations care about sustainability, social responsibility, and diversity - paying it forward only makes sense. The question is how do we all become part of the workplace “pay it forward” movement?
The first step is to find what makes you tick. Do you care about eradicating homelessness, improving illiteracy, stopping sex trafficking, lowering suicide rates, empowering young girls and women, improving the environment...
Next, what has happened in your life that can provide benefit to someone else? For example, have you survived cancer, were you an athlete, do you have a special skill?
Lastly, you find organizations that complement what you care about and where your experience adds value. Opportunities are not difficult to find as many non-profits have board of director openings, would love pro-bono work in your area of expertise, and have volunteer programs. You might also be lucky and find CSR opportunities at your own organization. Or maybe like Susan’s example, you can be organic in how you pay it forward and you can find opportunities to help someone by connecting them with people in your network or assisting them with coaching in your areas of expertise. The goal is to find “pay it forward” opportunities you are excited about and can assist in your career growth.
So with all of the benefits of paying it forward – why do many people still not follow the movement? Common excuses are: I do not have the time, there is fear of taking the first steps, paying it forward is difficult, or I have not yet found value in “paying it forward”. In response, time should never be an excuse since you dictate how often you pay it forward, taking the first step can be scary but again if it is something you care about it will not be difficult to talk to others who care about the same activities, yes paying it forward can be tough but nothing good comes easily, and if you have not found value in paying it forward yet – it is because you have not found what touches your heart strings or mind that makes
you take the leap.
In any case, the hope is you start to see the value in what you gain when you can pay it forward in the workplace. Personally, you can gain new friends, overcome your personal challenges, make a difference, and bring more meaning to your life. Professionally you can find key skills that will help in your career growth and purpose. In other words, there is nothing to lose, but a ton to gain when you decide it is time to “pay it forward.” So, what are you waiting for?
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