Withholding useful help because sharing feels pushy is the selfish move. If you think it might help someone, send it.
The idea
We build artificial boundaries around what's "appropriate" to share: "They didn't hire me for this advice," "My insights probably aren't that unique." But real relationships, professional ones included, thrive when we contribute generously without being asked. What you know is a gift, and withholding it from your network is the selfish choice.
How to do it
Take inventory of what you could give: specialized business knowledge (a method, a rubric, a workflow), industry insights, professional experience, your connections, and personal things like a playlist, a parenting hack or travel tips.
Start a "Friday insight" habit: each week, share one useful business observation with someone in your network.
When you solve a complex work problem, document your approach and send it to a colleague facing a similar challenge.
After an industry conference, compile your three most valuable takeaways and share them with peers who couldn't attend.
Track the articles, tools and resources you find valuable, tagged by who in your network might benefit.
Example
Over coffee, my friend Sarah, a brilliant strategic operations consultant, said, "I feel like I'm bothering people when I reach out." Clients paid for her expertise, but she saw sharing her small insights with people she knew, like an Excel template that automated reporting, as pushy rather than what it really was: a gift.
Watch out for
If you ever think "I wonder if this would help someone," it probably would. Even if it doesn't, it shows them you care.
Value Payloads: Build a shareable asset once (a guide, a list, a template) so you can send it the moment you meet someone who'd benefit.
You Never Know Your Impact: Small, forgettable acts of help can change someone's life, and the people who changed yours may not know it, so tell them.
Don't Be the Stump: Give generously, but let relationships run both ways. Only ever giving robs the other person of the chance to help you.
Transformation Over Information: Information is everywhere now, so value means helping people change. Discuss the article, join the workout, walk them through what worked for you.
Self-Driven Reasons to Reach Out: Create your own reasons to reach out: a holiday nobody else uses, an article that made you think of them, or simply that they came to mind.