Psychologist Adam Grant likes to tell a story about serial entrepreneur Adam Rifkin’s secret weapon. Called the Five-Minute Favor, in just a few minutes Rifkin can undertake a deliberate action that goes a long way in strengthening relationships, such as making an introduction or sharing knowledge. It also allows Rifkin, who identifies as a giver, a chance to set boundaries and protect himself.

Grant has devoted his career to studying three distinct styles of professionals: the givers, the takers and the matchers. While most of us exist somewhere between giving and taking, there are definite positives and negatives associated with each trait.

Givers, for example, often do the most to make their organizations better, but sacrifice themselves in the process.

“The first thing that’s really critical is to recognize that givers are your most valuable people, but if they’re not careful, they burn out,” explained Grant, in a TED Talk. “So you have to protect the givers in your midst.”

To learn more and identify where you fall on the spectrum, watch Are You a Giver or a Taker?