The Power of Permission: What One Man's Challenge Reveals About Human Nature Herman Jagpal's year long experiment in asking strangers for unusual favors has yielded some surprising insights into human behavior.
His challenge was initially driven by feelings of disconnection while working from home full time, but what he found instead was that asking for help or favors can be a surprisingly effective way to build relationships.
By framing his requests as "experiments" rather than personal transactions, Jagpal created an environment where strangers were more likely to say yes.