I've been following Adam Grant, a professor at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, since the 2013 release of his book, Give and Take. In his book, Grant describes three groups of individuals we can find within any kind of system: Givers, takers and matchers. Grant describes takers as those who want to get as much as possible from others, matchers as those who value even trades and givers as those who contribute without any expectation of receiving.

Last night, I watched his recent TED talk about creating a culture that honors givers. While Grant's focus has been on the workplace, I wondered if his premise could be applied to caregiving situations. What if we had a system in place which recognized the giver in the family and then allowed that giver to be successful by preventing burn-out? What if we had ways to minimize the takers who drain us faster than a long day in the ER? The switch from viewing the giver as a doormat to an incredible resource could be life changing.

It's not about just letting someone else do all the work because "we're good at it" but putting support and respite and resources in place so that the giver continues to give. We're good at giving. Rather than have to defend that talent, why can't we receive support for it?

After watching his video, below, please share your thoughts in our comments section, below.