Why Asking for Help Is a Surprisingly Powerful Business Skill
You build connections and get valuable information, even when you don’t get what you ask for
If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable making a request, Ralph Waldo Emerson might be to blame. In his classic 1841 essay “Self-Reliance,” he laid the foundation for an American philosophy centered on individualism. Intended to liberate people from the burdens of conformity and mandates of religion, his “trust thyself” ethos discouraged dependence on others while celebrating individual accomplishment.
Emerson’s influence prevails in much of modern politics, in entrepreneurs’ anxious insomnia, and most problematically, according to Wayne Baker — author of the recently published book All You Have To Do Is Ask: How to Master the Most Important Skill for Success — in the workplace. Baker is no stranger to achievement, but his roadmap for reaching it runs counter to Emerson’s idealized autonomy.
The book contains a set of tools for mastering the skill of asking and explains why it’s so important. Whether a request is for a professional lead or personal favor, Baker’s research shows that you’ll build connections and strengthen teams just by making it. Debunking the popular notion that it’s better to give than to receive, he argues that giving and…
