“It is more blessed to give than to receive” is the epitaph on my father’s headstone, and it has guided my life.
I find the greatest satisfaction in giving back—particularly through mentorship—by helping others take ownership of their academic, professional, and personal development. Mentees need not follow my path; they take what resonates and apply it in their own way.
Sharing lessons learned from both successes and failures is invaluable. Mentorship does not have to be formal; throughout my career in the private and social sectors, leadership and mentorship have gone hand in hand. Servant leadership, in particular, focuses on developing others while delivering results. Supporting team members as they grow—and later seeing them advance into leadership roles—has been deeply rewarding.
Knowing that mentees and colleagues value my contributions reassures me that they will, in turn, mentor others. This ripple effect—small actions creating broad impact—is what I call “giving to gain.”
Giving back can also take the form of consulting, whether pro bono or paid, which benefits individuals and institutions alike. Serving on boards, public consultation committees, or think tanks is another powerful way to contribute. These roles not only expand professional networks but also provide opportunities to influence public policy, particularly during career transitions.
On one committee focused on seniors’ inclusion and resilience, I raised the importance of consulting women and ethnic minority caregivers—groups often overlooked yet central to home caregiving. This perspective helped shape more inclusive policy recommendations. Such experiences show how sharing lived and professional experience strengthens institutions and leads to better outcomes for society as a whole.
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35
Christ in you, the hope of glory. That’s why glory matters.
Glory Matters 