A few years ago, I had the privilege of delivering a TEDx Talk titled Live to Give. At the time, the world was emerging from the shadows of COVID-19. Economies were shifting, organizations were in flux, and many of us were reevaluating the foundations of our lives. The world had changed — perhaps forever.
My goal was simple: to offer a message of clarity, renewal, and hope amid the uncertainty. That message was Live to Give — a principle that has shaped my life and work. Giving, I’ve come to realize, is not just about helping others — it’s about discovering meaning, joy, and deep connection in all we do: work, life, leisure, and spirit.
I also expand on this message in a candid conversation with Salim Dewji here: Live to Give with Azim Jamal.
In this post, I’ll share why Live to Give is more relevant than ever — and how you, in your own leadership and life, can apply simple yet powerful strategies to transform your approach in 2025 and beyond.
Trademark of Transformation
Look around, and you’ll see it everywhere: life moving in cycles, sustained by the simplest of forces — giving and receiving. The sun offers its light. Trees give us clean air. Rivers nourish the land. And so the cycle continues — powered by generosity.
Yet in a world that often glorifies accumulation, we forget this simple truth: the deepest fulfillment doesn’t come from what we take — but from what we give.
Whether in relationships, innovation, business, or community, giving is essential. So why do we often struggle to embrace it? If life itself flows through giving, how can we feel deprived? And if we’re part of this beautifully interconnected web, shouldn’t giving — and receiving — be natural, seamless, and sacred?
Let’s explore why awakening your innate ability to give is vital to your purpose — as a human being, a professional, and a spiritual force.
Hardwired to Give
“You don’t have to be rich to give, rather you become richer when you give.”
From the moment we offer our first smile to the kindness we show a friend, giving is part of who we are. Modern science confirms what ancient wisdom has long known: we’re biologically wired to give — born with an innate need to connect and contribute.
In a University of British Columbia study, participants given a small sum of money and instructed to spend it on others reported significantly higher levels of happiness than those who spent it on themselves.
But giving isn’t just about money. You can give your time, your attention, your empathy, your knowledge, or your energy. And when you give freely, you become a conduit through which abundance flows. The more you give, the more you realize how much you truly have to offer.
Giving is not just something we do — it’s part of who we are.
One Simple Daily Habit
In The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg outlines the basic building blocks of any habit: a cue, a routine, and a reward. Once formed and repeated, habits become second nature.
In my TEDx Talk, I shared how forming one simple daily habit — Live to Give — can be a game-changer. But for this to truly take root, it must be anchored in three core intentions:
- Make giving your daily purpose.
- Infuse giving into everything you do.
- Let compassion, empathy, and non-judgment guide your giving.
When you intentionally Live to Give, guidance shows up. That guidance leads to purpose. Purpose unlocks potential. Potential fuels impact. And impact brings lasting fulfillment.
It’s not just about what you make — it’s about who you’re becoming.
Take Salesforce, for example. Its 1-1-1 model — giving 1% of equity, 1% of product, and 1% of employee time — has contributed millions of dollars, empowered communities, and inspired a wave of purpose-driven business. Giving became their culture — and that culture became contagious.
A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out
It’s easy to think of giving as a loss. But here’s the beautiful paradox: giving is never subtraction — it’s multiplication. It doesn’t empty us — it enriches us.
Every act of giving makes us more compassionate, more connected, more human. It shifts us from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. And often, it brings rewards we never expected — new friendships, renewed purpose, deeper joy.
At its heart, giving is its own reward. It reminds us we’re not here merely to look out for ourselves — we’re here to lift others, too.
So give — not as a handout, but as a hand up.
The Ultimate Added Value
In business, added value isn’t optional — it’s essential. But this principle applies beyond products or services. It applies to people, too.
You can build a brand, achieve your goals, and accumulate wealth. But without giving at the heart of your success, it may all feel strangely hollow.
Giving turns personal achievement into meaningful contribution — and transforms success into lasting significance. It becomes the ultimate value-add to any initiative, career, or ambition.
No matter your role — leader, parent, creator, or student — the question to ask isn’t just, “What can I get?”
It’s, “What can I give?”
When we Live to Give:
- Relationships deepen — because giving builds trust, warmth, and love.
- Communities thrive — because everyone’s contribution lifts the whole.
- We flourish — because generosity brings profound joy.
The Cycle of Giving and Receiving
Giving isn’t a one-way street.
To complete the cycle, we must also learn to receive — with humility and gratitude. When we receive with grace, we honor the giver and sustain the sacred flow. Giving, then, becomes not a duty, but a joyful dance we’re all part of.
SImple Ways to Start Giving Today
- Give a few minutes of your time: Call a friend. Check in on a neighbor. Stay a little longer to help a colleague. Small moments of being present mean the world.
- Share what you know: Offer advice. Teach a skill. Recommend a book or podcast. Knowledge grows when shared.
- Say ‘thank you’ — often: Send a note. Leave a kind message. Acknowledge someone. Gratitude is a powerful gift.
- Give what you no longer need: Donate clothes, books, or tools. You’ll lighten your load and brighten someone’s day.
- Be kind in small ways: Hold the door. Let someone ahead in line. Offer a sincere compliment. Small acts create big ripples.
- Be fully present: Put down your phone. Listen with intention. Presence is one of the rarest and most meaningful gifts.
Key Takeaway
Live to Give — not because you must, and not for recognition — but because giving is what makes everything else truly worthwhile.
It uplifts us. It connects us. It reminds us that life is far bigger than ourselves.
In a world that often asks, “What’s in it for me?” — let’s be the ones who ask, “What can I give?”
Keep on Living.
Keep on Giving.
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Stay Engaged
- Watch Azim Jamal’s full TEDx Talk – Live to Give
- Watch Azim’s conversation with Salim – Live to Give with Azim Jamal
- Explore more inspiration on the Corporate Sufi YouTube Channel
- Sign up for the Transformational Leadership Masterclass
We’d love to hear your giving stories — share your thoughts, ask questions, or join the conversation in the comments. If the Corporate Sufi message resonates, please like, share, and subscribe to stay connected