The Benjamin Franklin Effect

Asking someone for help makes them more likely to think better of us.

The Benjamin Franklin Effect refers to the phenomenon where Benjamin Franklin improved a strained relationship with a rival legislator by asking to borrow a book. This simple act of kindness led to a conversation and eventually a strong friendship between the two.

• People are more willing to help than you believe. We often underestimate how likely others are to help us by nearly 50%.
• Ask for help face-to-face. A study from 2017 revealed that asking in person is about 34 times more successful than through email.
• Don't make your request a trade-off. For example, avoid saying, “If you help me, I'll do something for you in return”.
• Focus on positive reasons. Instead of using negative statements (like “I feel bad for asking you…”), highlight why you chose that person for help. They're more inclined to assist if they believe you truly value their input.