All You Have to Do Is Ask Book Summary - All You Have to Do Is Ask Book explained in key points
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All You Have to Do Is Ask summary

Wayne Baker

How to Master the Most Important Skill for Success

4.2 (143 ratings)
28 mins

Brief summary

In "All You Have to Do Is Ask" by Wayne Baker, we learn the power of asking for help and how it can lead to success in both personal and professional life. The book provides practical strategies and real-life examples of how asking can improve relationships and achieve goals.

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    All You Have to Do Is Ask
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    Asking for help is the bridge between us and success.

    A baby was once born in Romania. Her name was Cristina, and, not long after her birth, she developed craniosynostosis, a rare condition that causes the bones of the skull to fuse prematurely. Craniosynostosis can result in a permanently misshapen head and distorted face. Surgery can resolve the problem – but it was difficult to find a specialist capable of conducting that surgery in Romania.

    Don’t worry – this is a story with a happy ending. Cristina did get the operation. But she wouldn’t have if someone close to her hadn’t leveraged the power of asking. 

    The key message here is: Asking for help is the bridge between us and success.

    If we don’t ask, people won’t know what we need. And if people don’t know what we need, they can’t help us. 

    Luckily for little Cristina, her aunt, Felicia, was aware of this. Even luckier for Cristina, Felicia happened to be taking part in an activity called the Reciprocity Ring when Cristina developed craniosynostosis. A Reciprocity Ring is a guided group activity that allows participants to tap the collective knowledge, wisdom, and resources of a large network to obtain the things they need. Felicia, who lived in France, used this opportunity to ask for contact with an experienced pediatric cranial surgeon who could help her niece. One of her fellow participants was a pediatrician, and he introduced her to a relevant specialist. The rest is history. 

    You never know what people know – or whom they know – until you ask. If Cristina’s story wasn’t enough to convince you, here’s another illustrative example: a senior engineer at a major auto company had encountered a complex technical problem. After grappling with it for a long time, he finally decided to reach out to his network of colleagues to ask for an expert who could help him. The first person to respond was a newly hired 22-year-old administrative assistant. It turned out that her father had the very expertise needed to untangle the problem. What’s more, her father had recently retired and had lots of free time. Who would have thought that a young administrator would hold the key to the solution?

    All this anecdotal evidence is backed up by hard science, too. In fact, studies show that as much as 90 percent of the help provided in the workplace occurs only after assistance has been requested.

    So next time you feel stressed at work, don’t hold back. Reach out to a colleague and experience the power of asking for help. 

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    Key ideas in All You Have to Do Is Ask

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    What is All You Have to Do Is Ask about?

    All You Have to Do Is Ask (2020) provides a set of tools that will help you improve your ability to ask for the things that contribute to success. It identifies eight main obstacles that stop us from making requests and examines how they can be overcome or circumvented.

    All You Have to Do Is Ask Review

    All You Have to Do Is Ask (2020) by Wayne Baker is a book that explores the transformative power of asking for what you need. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It uncovers the hidden value in asking, showing readers how they can achieve more by simply reaching out and asking for help, resources, or opportunities.
    • Backed by research and real-life examples, the book offers practical strategies and techniques that readers can apply to improve their personal and professional lives.
    • With its engaging storytelling style and insightful anecdotes, the book keeps readers engaged throughout and proves that asking is not only effective but also interesting and exciting.

    Best quote from All You Have to Do Is Ask

    While its generous to give, its even more generous to give and receive.

    —Wayne Baker
    example alt text

    Who should read All You Have to Do Is Ask?

    • Team leaders and managers
    • CEOs
    • Entrepreneurs

    About the Author

    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. He is also the faculty director of the Center for Positive Organizations. He has published six books, and numerous scholarly articles. 

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    All You Have to Do Is Ask FAQs 

    What is the main message of All You Have to Do Is Ask?

    The main message of All You Have to Do Is Ask is the power of asking for help to achieve your goals.

    How long does it take to read All You Have to Do Is Ask?

    The reading time for All You Have to Do Is Ask varies depending on your reading speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is All You Have to Do Is Ask a good book? Is it worth reading?

    All You Have to Do Is Ask is a valuable read because it reveals how asking for help can unlock opportunities and lead to success.

    Who is the author of All You Have to Do Is Ask?

    Wayne Baker is the author of All You Have to Do Is Ask.

    What to read after All You Have to Do Is Ask?

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