This is Help Wanted, the show that makes your work work for you. I'm Jason Pfizer, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine.

And I'm money expert Nicole Lappin. On Tuesdays, Jason and I answer the helpline and help

callers solve their work problems. And on Thursdays, I give you one way to improve your work and build a career or company you loved.

And it starts now.

Have you ever asked for something but were misunderstood?

Or has anyone ever asked you for something? And even though you tried to help, you were unhelpful? Maybe it happened with a boss, a customer, a partner, or even a spouse.

Maybe it's holding up a deal right now.

Maybe it's causing tension at home.

Recently, this happened to me.

I asked a question, got the wrong answer, and was really annoyed. And as I thought

about why it happened, I had this aha moment. I realized why these disconnects often happen

and how we can fix them.

And it starts by recognizing this.

People don't always ask for what they want.

Instead, they often ask for bad examples of what they want.

Today, I'll explain what that means and give you a better way to ask questions, give answers, build relationships, solve problems, and become someone's hero.

But first, here's why I was so unhappy with the ask that I made.

So this was back in July, I was in Chicago for a speaking engagement and I was running late.

It was 8.30 a.m. and I had 20 minutes to eat breakfast before heading to the venue.

So I ran to the hotel concierge where I was staying and I said,

excuse me, where's the quickest place to get like an egg and cheese sandwich?

I need a fast breakfast.

...