142. Why learning to receive makes you a more generous giver with Kim Payne
Wed Feb 04 2026
Receiving sounds simple, and yet for many capable, generous, high-achieving women, it can feel deeply uncomfortable.
In this episode, I explore why receiving can trigger guilt, resistance, and that unexplained urge to “even the score.”
We unpack the unspoken rules many of us live by when it comes to asking for, accepting, receiving, and allowing ourselves to be supported — and how our giving behaviours and discomfort with receiving are often tangled up with self-worth, identity, and the need to prove our value.
I talk about why receiving is not a passive skill but an active one and why it takes courage.
And I share how learning to receive gracefully can change the way you give, lead, relate, and sustain yourself—personally and professionally.
If you’ve ever brushed off a compliment, felt uneasy accepting help, kept mental tabs, or struggled to ask for what you really want… this episode is for you.
Key takeaways:
o Why asking for what you want can feel more challenging than doing everything yourself.
o What your reaction to compliments, help, or generosity can quietly reveal about your self-worth.
o How generosity can become depleting when it isn’t balanced with receiving.
o What makes receiving a skill that takes practice.
o What happens to leadership, energy, and sustainability when receiving is resisted.
o How allowing yourself to receive can actually make you a more generous giver.
Book referenced:
Give and Take by Adam Grant
COURAGEOUS ME – THE BOOK
Grab your copy of Courageous Me – The courage to turn someday into today.
Where to find me:
Website: Kim Payne
LinkedIn: Kim Payne
Instagram: @iamkimpayne
Facebook: KimPayneBiz
COURAGEOUS SHIFT
Want to make the impact you know is possible without having everything figured out?
Get access now to The Courageous Shift – a FREE 90 min audio mini-series to work out your next move.
Want to get clear on your next steps in your business or career?
Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help you get to the starting line.
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Receiving sounds simple, and yet for many capable, generous, high-achieving women, it can feel deeply uncomfortable. In this episode, I explore why receiving can trigger guilt, resistance, and that unexplained urge to “even the score.” We unpack the unspoken rules many of us live by when it comes to asking for, accepting, receiving, and allowing ourselves to be supported — and how our giving behaviours and discomfort with receiving are often tangled up with self-worth, identity, and the need to prove our value. I talk about why receiving is not a passive skill but an active one and why it takes courage. And I share how learning to receive gracefully can change the way you give, lead, relate, and sustain yourself—personally and professionally. If you’ve ever brushed off a compliment, felt uneasy accepting help, kept mental tabs, or struggled to ask for what you really want… this episode is for you. Key takeaways: o Why asking for what you want can feel more challenging than doing everything yourself. o What your reaction to compliments, help, or generosity can quietly reveal about your self-worth. o How generosity can become depleting when it isn’t balanced with receiving. o What makes receiving a skill that takes practice. o What happens to leadership, energy, and sustainability when receiving is resisted. o How allowing yourself to receive can actually make you a more generous giver. Book referenced: Give and Take by Adam Grant COURAGEOUS ME – THE BOOK Grab your copy of Courageous Me – The courage to turn someday into today. Where to find me: Website: Kim Payne LinkedIn: Kim Payne Instagram: @iamkimpayne Facebook: KimPayneBiz COURAGEOUS SHIFT Want to make the impact you know is possible without having everything figured out? Get access now to The Courageous Shift – a FREE 90 min audio mini-series to work out your next move. Want to get clear on your next steps in your business or career? Book a FREE 45 min Call to Action to help you get to the starting line.