Asking Advice Makes a Good Impression

Scientific American:

What do you do when you can’t figure out how to finish a tricky task at work? Or you’re lost on those back roads? Or you’re trying a new DIY project in your house and just can’t seem to make it look like the photo that inspired you on Pinterest? In life, when you’re stuck in a conundrum, there are many solutions. For example, you could invest more time and effort by brainstorming alternative approaches, using trial-and-error (until you get that paint line just right), or looking up tricks of the trade online.

But there is one thing most people know to avoid for sure: asking for advice. It’s inconsiderate—we don’t want to bother others. After all, they have their own problems to solve. Also, they may not have the answer we need anyway. These reasons may or may not be true. But we are pretty sure that people will think less of us. So, good reasons or no, we don’t ask.

Read the whole story: Scientific American