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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer Devin McSween. Devin McSween is a staff writer for wikiHow. With a background in psychology, she has presented her social psychology research at various conferences and contributed several manuscripts for publication. At wikiHow, Devin combines his love of writing and research with the goal of providing wikiHow readers with accessible information to help them learn and grow. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Find out more…
Asking to “pick someone’s brain” is a polite term that means you want to get their advice, insight, or opinion on something they know about. Although this phrase is commonly used in professional settings, it can come across as vague and lazy, so you might want to change the way you ask for advice. Luckily, we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll explain what “pick your brains” means, give you our alternatives to this term, and tell you how to politely ask for advice. We’ll also tell you how to respond to requests to pick your brain, too. Read on to find out more!
“Pick your brain” is a polite way to ask someone for advice or knowledge about something they know a lot about. It is overused in the professional world and can come across as vague or lazy. Instead say, “I’d like your advice on X” or “I have a few questions about X. Do you have time to talk?”
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Source: HIS Education