A decade of research for his best-selling book, Give and Take, has led Wharton professor of management, Adam Grant to conclude that the ‘five-minute favour’ is a powerfully simple practice that most people enjoy doing.
Careful giving
Here’s the idea behind it: in the workplace, you get givers, matchers (who like to give and take) and takers (who take as much as they can and give little in return). Takers often appear to be successful, but in a connected world reputation is important and takers will be outed. The best practice says Grant, is to achieve great things by being a careful giver.
Quick favours
That’s where the five-minute favour comes in. It’s of low cost to you, but of high benefit to others. If you are asked for help, Grant advises, determine whether you are able to add value at low personal cost, or if it would be better to connect the person with someone else who can really contribute.
People particularly enjoy ways to share knowledge, and to connect individuals who may benefit from knowing each other.
Five-minute favours can give you great satisfaction, and can be achieved simply by offering feedback on a product, introducing two people who may be able to help each other, giving someone a reference, or making a positive comment on social
media platforms,
No need to receive
As Grant says, we are ultimately happier and more successful when we give without expecting a return. “My students at Wharton often describe the five-minute favour as life-changing. It challenges their assumption that they have to choose between helping others and their own success.”
