Ep 155. Wayne Baker: All You Have to Do Is Ask

Ep 155. Wayne Baker: All You Have to Do Is Ask

Wayne Baker is the Robert P. Thome Professor of Business Administration and Professor of Management & Organizations at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and Faculty Director of the Center for Positive Organizations. His latest book is All You Have to Do Is Ask: How to Master the Most Important Skill for Success. He is the author of five other books and many scholarly articles. His work has focused on social capital, social networks, generosity, and positive organizations, and values. Wayne is a cofounder and board member of Give and Take Inc., developers of the Givitas collaborative technology platform based on principles in All You Have to Do Is Ask.

In this episode, Stew and Wayne talk about the science and art of both asking for and giving help, and we need to be able to do both. Getting the support we need to achieve our goals, at work and in all the rest of life, is too often inhibited by difficulties we face in asking for it. In this conversation, Wayne describes and illustrates what the barriers are that hold people back from asking for help and what can be done to overcome them. He explains the essential elements of an effective request -- that it’s specific, meaningful, action-oriented, realistic, and time-bound -- and how to assess your style of giving and receiving help, as a useful starting point for becoming smarter about how to cultivate generosity in all the relationships that matter to you.

Listen below or on ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, Spotify