Although Steve Jobs is no longer with us, the enduring influence of Apple’s co-founder is set to span across generations. Demonstrated in a timeless interview from 1994, Jobs highlighted a distinctive practice observed in exceptionally accomplished individuals:
Most people never pick up the phone and call. Most people never ask, and that’s what separates the people who do things from the people who just dream about them.
In the interview, Jobs recounts how, when he was 12 years old, he summoned the bravery to contact none other than Bill Hewlett, one of the co-founders of Hewlett-Packard. His request? “I’m interested in constructing a frequency counter, and I was wondering if you might have any extra components I could use,” Jobs conveyed. Hewlett, entertained by the audacity of the young voice on the opposite end of the conversation, chuckled and provided Jobs with the requested spare parts, along with a summer job offer at HP. Jobs reminisced, stating, “I felt absolute euphoria.”
Image Credits: Stevejobsarchive
Make the ask
The significance of this solitary phone left a mark on Jobs’s journey and imparted one of the most valuable insights of his illustrious career: Embrace the readiness to request what you desire.
In numerous contemporary enterprises, apprehension often prevents individuals from being receptive to voicing their desires and seeking assistance from supervisors, coworkers, and associates. As stated in a Harvard Business Review study, a substantial 75 to 90 percent of all workplace assistance provided among colleagues originates from initiating a request.
Nonetheless, a significant number of people avoid requesting what they require due to the lack of encouragement or support from their supervisors and higher-ups. As a result, the majority of the time, nothing comes to fruition.
The inquiry at hand is whether your workplace cultivates an atmosphere of freedom and security that enables employees to openly seek assistance. An effective concept to introduce to your team is known as a “reciprocity ring.”
Enter the Reciprocity Ring
The concept was initially formulated by Wayne and Cheryl Baker, trailblazers in the field of social science. Subsequently, organizational psychologist Adam Grant incorporated and developed it within his exploration of generosity, as outlined in his insightful book, “Give and Take.” Simplistically put, the idea works like this: I assist you, you aid another individual, and there’s a possibility that person might provide assistance to me (or someone else) down the line. This cyclical process simplifies and enhances the act of seeking and providing help.
For the reciprocity ring to be applicable and geared towards producing outcomes, participants gather in groups where they openly communicate their needs. The requests should involve significant matters that an individual cannot achieve independently. This might encompass securing a crucial contact possessing specific skills for aiding with an impending project. In response, participants contribute by providing solutions, leveraging their expertise, sharing resources and ideas, or facilitating connections with valuable contacts.
Collaboratively, the Bakers and Grant developed a technological platform named Givitas, designed to streamline the implementation of the reciprocity ring within any organization and seamlessly incorporate it into the company’s human resources strategies.
The reciprocity ring alters our perspective on assistance and the process of resolving problems. Research indicates that when reciprocity becomes pervasive within organizations, it fosters a sense of community, enhances productivity, facilitates learning, and nurtures an environment of trust. This transformation begins by initiating the act of seeking help.
When individuals who achieve significant success desire something, they are prepared to request it. If a 12-year-old Steve Jobs could adopt this approach, there’s no reason you can’t as well.
Conclusion
In essence, Steve Jobs’ enduring legacy teaches us that asking for what we want is a key to success. The reciprocity ring, pioneered by researchers like Wayne and Cheryl Baker, offers a powerful framework for mutual support. By embracing the ask and fostering a culture of assistance, we can reshape workplaces, build trust, and achieve remarkable results. Just as a 12-year-old Steve Jobs once did, we too can harness the courage to seek what we need and drive our aspirations forward.
