When you can, friend, volunteer. The opportunities afforded by volunteering are enormous. And beyond the opportunities it opens, it also tells a good tale of your character.

When you can, friend, volunteer. The opportunities afforded by volunteering are enormous. And beyond the opportunities it opens, it also tells a good tale of your character.

America’s 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, puts it perfectly when he said “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”. This is true in every work relationship as it is elsewhere. Whether to colleagues, supervisors, friends and all, offering to help brings you closer to winning them over.

The goal of volunteering, however, must be genuine; helping out, offering your skills without an expectation of reward, etc. Where it is reward-seeking, volunteering sinks into a bland action. Friend, look around you, who needs help? What can you offer?