These 5 words will open thousands of doors for you

"Can I ask you for advice?" It is a simple and short phrase; easy to say, remember and repeat. It is a phrase that can be used constantly without losing its validity and, above all, has behind it the power of science to open the doors that until then were closed.

The Ben Franklin effect is a known psychological effect to change the perception that others have of us by allowing them to do us a favor.

It is, at first glance, counterintuitive. We may think that, to please, we must "do" favors, but it turns out that when others do us favors, it is proven that their perception of us improves, since considering ourselves worthy of their time and attention forces them to see ourselves in a more favorable light , as valuable and kind people.

When it comes to asking for advice, we are asking for a favor as well as making a compliment. We are telling the other person that they are smart, that they are brilliant, that we respect them, and that their opinion is important . It is a gift to your own ego - a gift that no one will stop receiving. People, in general, like to be heard and taken into account.

It can be personal advice, about work, about a project, or about an important decision. The key is to state the advice simply and clearly and then let the other speak, always respecting the 80/20 rule . When it comes to asking for advice, we are placing the conversation firmly on the other person's court, letting them speak and express their own personality and history.

A rule of life: everyone likes to talk about themselves. So it will also allow you to get to know him more and forge - without feeling forced - a real human relationship, one of friendship and trust.

When we ask another person for advice about something that interests us and we get them to be interested in it, it is possible that due to the effect of mirror neurons , which generate empathy and neural alignment between two people, both can find a solution to a real problem.

Through questions, we can help other people reach conclusions that they feel as their own . It is widely used in communication and negotiation.

We waste too much time in innocuous and empty conversations, small talk to fill the time. But how much real conversations are needed! It is impressive what you can discover and achieve if you learn to master the art of conversation .

Nobody asks for advice on worthless things. We ask for advice on things that matter and concern us, that can peek into our privacy or explore big issues.

The best friendships are born - when one person says to another "How? Do you also think that way?" I thought I was the only one! "