The usurpers of the systems

A take on givers and takers of the world

When I first started drafting this letter, I’ll admit - I was fuelled by frustration over a particular situation. But as I thought more about it, I realised that "usurpers" in systems can take many different shapes. They can be harmful, helpful, game-changing disruptors, or even essential drivers of progress.

This idea of "usurpers" plays out across various domains: nature, human behaviour, the corporate world, society, and economics. In each example, usurpers carry a double-edged meaning. They’re not inherently good or bad.

Their impact depends on intent and outcome, which led me to an intriguing connection: Adam Grant’s concept of givers and takers.

Usurpers of the System and Givers vs. Takers

Grant describes takers as self-serving individuals who exploit others for personal gain, while givers challenge the status quo to create lasting value and inspire trust. Matchers act as balance-keepers, ensuring fairness and accountability by giving as much as they take.

Grant introduces nuance with agreeable and disagreeable givers and takers, using the humorous examples below to emphasize that what truly defines a person’s role within a system is intent and outcomes—not appearances.

Examples of Usurpers as Givers and Takers

• Nature:

  • T: Parasitic behaviors that destabilize ecosystems by exploiting resources without giving back.

  • G: Symbiotic relationships, like bees pollinating flowers, which foster mutual benefit and balance.

• Human Systems:

  • T: Sometimes, they act selfishly, exploiting resources without giving back, as seen in the "tragedy of the commons."

  • G: Visionary leaders who dismantle oppressive systems and drive innovation for the collective good.

• Corporate and Economic Systems:

  • T: Disrupters that prioritize profit over sustainability or ethics, destabilising trust and collaboration.

  • G: Entrepreneurs like those behind Fever-Tree, who identified inefficiencies and introduced innovations to reshape industries for the better.

Writing this letter has taught me that usurpers are neither inherently good nor bad; their impact is shaped by intent and outcomes. The challenge lies in fostering systems where those who contribute meaningfully and drive progress are able to thrive.

Beijos,

Babi

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