Adam Grant’s “5-Minute Favor” is a principle introduced in his book Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success. It is one of the key habits practiced by successful “givers.”
The Core Principle
- Be willing to do a kindness that takes you only five minutes.
- The favor should be something that holds significant value for the other person but requires almost no effort on your part.
- For example, actively offer to share information, make an introduction, or give advice, as long as it’s a simple act.
This rule is said to have the following effects:
- Low burden on the giver: A five-minute investment of time or effort is easy to incorporate into daily work and life without feeling overwhelmed.
- Earns gratitude and trust: Even a small favor can be highly valuable to the recipient, leading to gratitude and the building of trust.
- Spreads a “culture of giving”: A giver’s actions are contagious, sparking a kinder culture throughout a team or community.
Specific Examples of the 5-Minute Favor
In Daily Life
- Looking up and sharing information: Quickly Google a restaurant for a coworker and send them the link via email.
- Sharing someone’s social media post: Retweet a friend’s book announcement with a comment like, “This looks like a great read!”
- Making an introduction: If you know someone who has a skill a mutual acquaintance is looking for, send a quick email to both parties to introduce them.
- Giving simple advice: If a junior colleague is struggling, share a quick tip or bit of advice based on your experience that you can explain in under five minutes.
In Business Settings
- Providing feedback on a new idea: When someone shares a presentation, take five minutes to write a quick email with a few positive points and suggestions for improvement.
- Writing a quick review or recommendation: Post a brief recommendation on LinkedIn for a partner you’ve worked with.
- Sharing industry updates: If you find an interesting article in a newsletter, share it with a colleague with a quick note like, “I think this will be helpful for you!”
- Using your skills to help a little: If you’re a designer, quickly create a small icon for a project proposal. Or, if you’re good with Excel, show someone how to fix a formula they’re struggling with in five minutes.
What these examples have in common is that they are “not a big burden for you” while being “valuable for the other person.”
Grant argues that by accumulating these small acts of “giving,” you naturally gain the trust and gratitude of those around you, making it more likely that you’ll be helped when you need it. Successful givers wisely and consistently give in this way.
He explains that successful givers don’t just give anything to anyone at any time. Instead, they focus on a “way of giving” that minimizes their own burden while maximizing the benefit to others. The “5-Minute Favor” is a specific way to put this into practice—a smart strategy for helping others consistently without burning out.
