Our success is someone else's miracle

The Dual Nature of Giving: Reflections on Philanthropy and Success

In Hebrew, the word "to give" is "Natan." Interestingly, both in Hebrew and English, "Natan" reads the same forward and backward. This symmetry reflects a profound truth about giving and receiving: they are inherently interconnected. When we think about philanthropy and the idea of "to give," it also encompasses "to receive."

A Journey of Realization

Eight years ago, I joined an Entrepreneurial Masters program, a 3-year executive education course for CEOs, and members of the Entrepreneur’s Organization. During this time, I had the privilege of meeting Jeff Hoffman, who has become a significant mentor in my life. Jeff shared a quote that deeply resonated with me: "Our success is someone else's miracle." Although it struck a chord immediately, it took seven years for me to fully grasp its meaning.

Jeff's words highlighted our profound responsibility as entrepreneurs: to transform our success into miracles for others. This notion inspired me so much that we dedicated a space in our office to this idea. We created a "giving tree" adorned with thank-you cards from families we have positively impacted. Above this tree, we inscribed Jeff's quote: "Our success is someone else's miracle." We spent the last seven years, as an organization, living those words through InfoTrust Foundation.

A Deeper Understanding

However, it wasn't until this morning that I realized there was a second part to this quote. This realization felt life-changing, compelling me to draft this blog post immediately. We often talk about being intentional in the present, about truly listening and absorbing the stories around us. 

When we think about rites of passage—like a Bar Mitzvah for boys, a Bat Mitzvah for girls, or any ceremony marking the transition from childhood to adulthood—we see that each child's success is a miracle for countless people. As entrepreneurs, we are never self-made. No matter how hard we work, success is a communal effort. It takes a village of people investing their hearts, love, souls, and time to create success.

The Miracle of Community

Our success, at every stage of life, is a miracle for those who have invested in us. They see the fruits of their love and dedication. There are few things more disappointing than investing deeply in something or somebody and not seeing it materialize. Conversely, seeing someone succeed—whether it's a child growing up or an entrepreneur achieving their goals—is a miracle for those who supported them.

This leads to the second meaning of Jeff's quote: "Our success is someone else's miracle." Those who helped us create our success see it as their miracle. This starts with our parents. Therefore, it is our responsibility to turn our success into miracles for others. This forms a beautiful, reciprocal cycle—much like the circle of life.

Embracing the Dual Nature of Success

The dual nature of giving and receiving, of success and support, is a powerful concept. As we continue to achieve, we must remember those who helped us along the way and strive to create miracles for others in turn.

I was recently invited to join Mastermind Talks (MMT), an exceptional community of entrepreneurs with the motto, “Great entrepreneurs aren't ‘self-made’...They're community-made.” Every member of MMT echoes the same sentiment: MMT has the highest quality of people who give selflessly, more than any other organization they’ve been a part of.

Jayson and Kandis Gaignard, the co-founders of MMT, understand the dual nature of giving. They lead with this core value and select members based on it (as it is an invitation-only organization), which allows them to attract people who truly grasp the dual nature of success.

However, as I reflected on the past seven years of my life, I realized I could have done a better job embracing the other meaning of the quote: "Our success..." in my own life.

Natan

I am honored to serve on the board of advisors for HeartWorks, a non-profit organization led by brilliant doctor Tim Nelson, dedicated to curing Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), a condition that impacts close to 1% of births. 

Yesterday, during the call, Tim shared that their latest procedure had saved the lives of two children. While I won't share any details—this is HeartWorks' story to tell—Tim concluded by saying, "These two kids thank you." Although it was hard to see the faces of my fellow board members, I can guarantee that, like mine, they were all full of tears.

To everyone who has helped me reach this point in my life, where someone can thank me for even a small contribution to saving the lives of two children:

This kid thanks you.