Many individuals avoid directly asking for what they want, whether seeking a promotion or requesting a favor from a friend. This hesitation often stems from a fear of hearing "no" and facing disappointment. However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes this approach is counterproductive.
Directly Ask for What You Want
In an interview on Bill Gates' podcast, "Unconfuse Me," Altman recently emphasized that being transparent about one's intentions and directly asking for what is wanted goes a surprisingly long way.
Altman highlighted that allowing the fear of rejection to hinder your needs and desires typically leads to unfavorable outcomes, and many people spend their time in ways they don't want to. Altman told Gates, "Probably the most frequent advice I give is to try to fix that some way or other."
Acknowledge The Chance of Rejection and Believe In Your Grit
Research indicates that people's natural fear of rejection often stops them from expressing their desires, even if it decreases their chances of getting what they want. A 2008 study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that humans underestimate how willing others are to help or say "yes" to a request.
In other words, scientific findings support Altman's argument. All you have to do is acknowledge the chance of rejection and believe in your ability to bounce back from potential disappointment.
Being "Willful" is a Key to Success
In a 2019 blog, Altman emphasized the importance of being "willful" as a key to success and expressed concern that people often accept things as they are. People can make things happen when they set aside self-doubt and actively pursue what they want. Altman advised people to ask for what they wish, acknowledging that while they may not always get it and the rejection can be painful, it works surprisingly well when it works.
Try Many Things and Quickly Adapt
Altman conveyed to Gates that a readiness to take calculated risks is crucial for success. While it may not succeed every time, being open to stepping outside your comfort zone is a significant step toward achieving your desires and discovering your capabilities, as outlined in Altman's 2019 blog post. "Taking risks is important because it's impossible to be right all the time - you must try many things and adapt quickly as you learn more," he wrote.
Altman's comments on the podcast were recorded before his significant removal and subsequent high-profile return to OpenAI, the organization behind the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT. In November 2023, OpenAI's board removed Altman, who had previously been the startup accelerator Y Combinator's president, due to safety concerns related to the company's rapidly advancing AI technology.
The company changed its decision and rehired Altman less than a week later due to pressure from investors and employees. Many wanted to join Altman in forming a new AI research lab supported by Microsoft, a backer of OpenAI.
