But the potency of individual generosity is far surpassed by the momentum organizational generosity can build. The difference is teamwork. One person can make a difference. A team can completely alter an outcome altogether.

Whether you lead an organization or not, I’d like to share several of many ways organizations can act generously, whether they earn a profit or not.

Make Money

It’s easy to be suspicious when we talk about altruism and profit in the same conversation. It can seem like a conflict of interest. But can I point out the obvious? If you don’t have any money to begin with, it’s a lot harder to be generous. Think about it: when businesses aren’t making any money, corporate sponsorships, employee development programming and hiring all come to a standstill. The emphasis is simply trying to stay afloat.

Even if your organization doesn’t have an elaborate charity program, just the tax implications of a profitable business can make a significant difference for a local economy.

At the end of the day, no one should feel guilty for profits that are earned legally and ethically. Among other things, they usually provide the first opportunity for generosity.

Meet a Need

Organizations don’t exist just for kicks and giggles. They have a job to do on behalf of customers, clients, patients, students, constituents – you name it. Although we may occasionally question the purpose of some organizations, ones that use their resources to meet legitimate needs do us all a great service. Does it still count as generosity if they get paid for it?

I like to use my dentist friend Mary Kay as an example. She’s obviously in business to earn a profit, but she places special emphasis on finding dental solutions that are the right fit for each patient’s individual needs, both from a health and financial standpoint. Obviously marketing campaigns and revenue targets matter. But in the “coldblooded” context of capitalism (whether real or imagined), going the extra mile to help a customer win is truly an act of generosity, especially when the need is great.

Share Your Organizational Niche

Not only do organizations provide valuable products and services, they possess significant amounts of knowledge capital. Obviously trade secrets are off the table, but organizations who share demonstrate they care. Banks know about money, so it’s a big contribution when they conduct financial planning workshops. Construction companies can donate not just materials for charity projects, but also expertise. Who better to donate consulting hours to a new humanitarian organization than a consulting firm?

Your organization has something unique to contribute that the average Joe off the street cannot. It’s easy to write a check, but sharing your organizational niche often requires greater participation – and can return a greater reward.

Look for Ways to Reinforce Your Values

Core values matter. And when organizations find ways to be generous in the direction of their values, things really get fun. One of my favorite organizations, Chick-fil-A, places a high value on organizational leadership as well as chicken sandwiches. They’ve demonstrated that commitment by sponsoring one of my favorite annual leadership conferences Leadercast, which helps keep the event accessible and affordable for more people. Many organizations today make contributions toward health, poverty and green initiatives. Don’t ever feel guilty for contributing in the direction of your organizational values – whether you get good press or not.

Do it Together

At the end of the day, I believe each person desires to make a difference and the opportunity to be part of something great. Organizations can give that gift not just through their day-to-day operations but by partnering with employees (and sometimes even outside stakeholders) in the generosity process. Just a few examples are charity campaigns, company work days and matching contributions. If you want an organization full of generous people, involve them in the process. Do it together.

Generosity is a lifestyle. We need generous individuals in our world today. But we also need generous organizations. Can you join me in finding a way to help our organizations become more generous?

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday, it’s important to note that thankfulness actually encompasses four different areas: gratitude, generosity, sharing and contentment. Last week, I mentioned how important it is to be generous, especially with so many people who need our help. Right now, it’s the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. (If you haven’t made a donation yet, you can contribute to the Red Cross here). But there are many more.

I’d like to challenge you to be a generous person. Here’s how you can get started.

Stop Making Excuses

I don’t have enough to give. What I have won’t make a difference. I’m not convinced there is a real strategic solution in place. Generosity isn’t my “spiritual gift.” I’ve heard (and made) some of these excuses in the past. They make it easier to justify doing nothing. Instead of focusing on what we can’t do, look at what we can do. Everyone can do something.

Identify a Need

We can’t fix every situation and meet every need, but we can do something. So choose something or someone you really connect with. Do you prefer to solve problems or help a group of people? Start there.

Look at What You Have – and Be Creative

Generosity is not just about giving money to the less fortunate. We can be generous with our time, talents, ideas, platform and a limitless number of other things. Last week I shared one of my favorite stories of a football team who shared their fans with the other team. I have friends who give up one Saturday morning each month to do service projects in the local community. Other friends teach a personal finance class. A teacher gives a few extra minutes to prepare lessons for special needs students. Another friend donates his ideas as a board member of a local YMCA. One of my friends recently wanted to raise $5,000 for cancer research, so he offered to write a personal theme song for donors and follow them around for an hour performing it in public. The options are limitless!

Plan Ahead

I can’t stand when people challenge me to give up a coffee or two a month to contribute to their cause. Coffee is important! (Or in my case, breakfast). I’d rather plan ahead so I don’t have to miss out on such a small but crucial part of my day.

Honestly, this is usually the crucial step. Many times when we encounter a need, we’re completely unprepared to respond to it. That’s why we need to plan ahead. If you set $20 (or $50 or $250) to automatically transfer to a separate bank account each month, then you don’t have to think about whether you have any money to share when an opportunity presents itself. If you have no margin in your calendar, you won’t be able to commit to a service opportunity or have a conversation with someone who needs to talk.

Diversify

I’ll be honest, I’m not a big hugger by nature. But sometimes that’s what the situation calls for and I have to step up. I mentioned last week that I believe everyone ought to make a donation to the Haiyan survivors, even if they don’t have tons of cash laying around. We can’t always outsource a form of generosity that doesn’t come naturally for us. We may have a favorite, but we should be flexible as well. Incidentally, what people ultimately need is hope. Can you give that?

Make It a Lifestyle Habit

The goal of generosity isn’t a one-time transaction but a lifestyle. Every little bit counts, even if it’s never noticed by the masses.

Generosity is its own reward.

Will you join me in becoming a generous person?

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

If there was ever a time to be generous, it’s now.

As much as I’d like to build a case for Haiyan aid, let me take a step back and mention several of the benefits of generosity that you can experience personally.

It Fast-Tracks Your Leadership Character

In his new book The Heart of Leadership, author Mark Miller says that the key mark of a person’s leadership character is putting others first. Being generous means putting the needs of others above our own by going out of our way to work for their benefit. Does that mean we’ll all of a sudden get promoted? Probably not, but then again, it might. It’s at least an indicator that we may be ready.

It Exercises Good Logic

I don’t believe in karma or that the good we do will inevitably return to us. But that shouldn’t stop us from doing what we can with what we have. In the case of the Haiyan victims, there is a good chance that the survivors will never be able to repay aid suppliers. But we shouldn’t expect them to, should we?

Doesn’t it make sense that people who have a lot would freely and temporarily step in a help people who have lost everything?

It Makes a Difference

Generosity isn’t exclusively about money. We can be generous with our talents, time, creativity, networks, ideas – the list is endless. The Grapevine Faith high school football program gave half their fans to cheer for their opponents from a maximum security correctional facility since they never got to play any home games. The impact was off the charts. Small acts of generosity make a difference too.

It Starts a New Habit

Whenever you take a first step in a new direction, it’s easier to take a second (whether for better or worse). The ultimate goal of generosity isn’t a one time experience but a lifestyle. You don’t need to start big. In fact, start small. Start where you are. Simply start.

It Changes You

Remember Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol? He was cold-hearted, tight-fisted and greedy! But a frightening intervention sent him on a generosity mission and he was never the same again. Of course Scrooge was a fictional character, but he’s a caricature of the effects of both greed and generosity.

An old proverb states that “he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” That’s why stories of ridiculous generosity are so inspiring: we intrinsically want in. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait!

It is So Much Fun!

Last week the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the city of San Francisco came together to make a 5 year-old leukemia patient’s dream come true by allowing him to be “Batkid” for a day. They staged elaborate “crimes” for Batkid to solve, villains to arrest and even a damsel to save. Everyone was in on it, from the police department to local shops to the news media. You can’t tell me that wasn’t a blast!

Today the need is for the survivors of Haiyan. Yesterday it was Sandy, Tohoku and Katrina. Who knows what it will be tomorrow. I challenge you to join me in sharing a little bit of what you have to benefit those in the Philippines who have lost everything. You can make a donation through the Red Cross or a number of other groups.

If you were in their shoes, wouldn’t you hope someone would come to your aid on your darkest day?

Next week I’ll share six ways you can take your generosity to the next level.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.