The instinct to say no to a colleague who asks for your help is sometimes a sound one — after all, research shows that overextending can lead to generosity burnout if our constant selfless efforts leave us feeling exhausted rather than energized.
While it’s true that O.D.ing on helping coworkers can be draining, practicing generosity in the workplace doesn’t have to equal burnout. In fact, by sidestepping every opportunity to be helpful, you could miss out on some important benefits of giving. When you’re willing to lend a hand, you may find that many rewards come your way.