“Do You Have 8 Minutes?”: Simon Sinek’s Powerful Lesson on Humanity, Help, and Connection

/ Simon Sinek
“Do You Have 8 Minutes?”: Simon Sinek’s Powerful Lesson on Humanity, Help, and Connection

Redefining Help: The Power of “Do You Have 8 Minutes?”

In a world where time often feels like the rarest commodity, a question as simple as “Do you have 8 minutes?” can spark a cascade of empathy, vulnerability, and connection. This was the transformational insight shared by renowned author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek during a recent conversation with EZRA Coaching CEO Nick Goldberg. Drawing from a heartfelt anecdote involving his longtime friend Maria Shriver, Sinek offered a compelling message about the nature of seeking help — and the importance of honoring both our vulnerability and another person’s autonomy.

Table of Contents

1. The Origin of the Question: “Do You Have 8 Minutes?”

During the November 2024 “EZRA Live and Unscripted” event, Simon Sinek recounted a personal experience where, during a difficult moment, he reached out to Maria Shriver — a journalist, author, and humanitarian — with a very specific and unexpected question: “Do you have 8 minutes?”

This wasn’t just small talk; it was deliberate. Sinek wasn’t asking to monopolize her day. He was setting a clear, respectful boundary — and in doing so, he demonstrated a form of compassion and vulnerability that would ultimately shape his message on helping others.

The choice of “8 minutes” was intentional. It was specific, limited, and manageable. It signaled that he honored her time while quietly revealing that he needed someone. And in doing so, he discovered a far more powerful way to ask for support — one that builds bridges instead of placing burdens.

2. Why Asking For Help Is Difficult

Despite living in an age of constant digital communication, truly asking for help remains one of the hardest things to do for many people. Why? Because to ask for help is to admit struggle — and in a culture that often values independence, strength, and self-sufficiency above all, vulnerability can feel like weakness.

Simon Sinek’s story challenges that narrative. He reminds us that asking for help isn’t a sign of failure — it’s a sign of trust. When you seek support, you’re not just saying “I need you”; you’re saying “I believe in you enough to let my guard down.”

But still, the psychological barriers remain:

  • Fear of rejection
  • Fear of being seen as incapable
  • Past experiences where help wasn’t offered
  • Uncertainty about who to turn to

By reframing that moment with a simple question — a request time-boxed to just 8 minutes — Sinek provides an elegant solution. It’s an invitation, not an imposition.

3. The Power of Framing in Communication

One of the most powerful aspects of Sinek’s anecdote is the framing. “Do you have 8 minutes?” is specific. It tells the other person exactly what’s being asked, it hints at intentionality, and it gives the other person a clear way to say “yes” or “not right now.”

Framing matters in communication. When we lack specificity, we unknowingly generate anxiety or confusion. How long will this take? What’s going to be asked of me? Am I equipped to help?

In contrast, framing a request like Sinek did creates trust. You’re recognizing someone else’s autonomy and communicating your need in a respectful way. It doesn’t trap them in an undefined time commitment or emotional labor.

And most of all — it shows your own emotional intelligence.

4. Maria Shriver and the Importance of Empathetic Listening

Maria Shriver’s role in the story offers another profound layer. She didn’t just say “yes” — she showed up. She gave Sinek her time, presence, and attention. That’s where the magic happened.

Shriver is not only a public figure but also a longtime advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness, caregiving, and wellness. Her decades of journalism and advocacy taught her how to listen — not just with ears, but with empathy.

Shriver’s response to Sinek’s question exemplifies the kind of listener most of us crave but rarely find: Someone who doesn’t try to fix the problem, but simply walks beside us. And in doing so, she reinforces a powerful truth — sometimes the most profound act of help is just being present.

5. EZRA Coaching’s “Unscripted” Platform and Its Role

The conversation between Sinek and Goldberg took place during EZRA Coaching’s flagship event, “Live and Unscripted” — an initiative designed to foster honest, raw, and human dialogue in the world of business and performance coaching.

More than a slick stage for corporate coaching, the “Unscripted” platform has become a sanctuary for authenticity. Leaders are encouraged to share not just their wins, but also their scars. In this open space, Sinek’s story resonated in a way that traditional leadership advice seldom does.

In many ways, the platform reflects the very essence of the “8-minute” question — a safe, respectful place where vulnerability is welcomed, not penalized.

6. Why 8 Minutes Matters: The Psychology of Brief Conversations

Why “8 minutes”? Why not 10 or 15?

There’s an interesting psychological concept known as the Pomodoro Technique, which advocates using short bursts of time (typically 25 minutes) to improve focus and productivity. While 8 minutes isn’t exactly the same, the underlying principle holds: brief periods of focused attention can be incredibly powerful.

A short, emotionally present conversation can accomplish far more than a distracted, hour-long chat. When you know the clock is ticking, you often get to the heart of the matter more quickly. You strip away the unnecessary. You become real.

And on the flip side, the person being asked for help knows the request is finite, not open-ended. That reduces pressure, making it much more likely they’ll say yes. It’s not a day-long therapy session — it’s just 8 minutes of attention, care, and presence.

7. Embracing Vulnerability as a Strength

What Sinek demonstrated — both in his question and his reflection on it — was the courage to be vulnerable. It’s easy to stand on stage and talk about success, but far harder to say “I needed help. I asked for it. And I grew because of it.”

We often underestimate the transformative power of sharing our struggles. Yet it is precisely through these moments of openness that deeper relationships are formed. We stop performing, and we start connecting.

Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it is raw honesty. And in a leadership context, being vulnerable often gives others permission to do the same. It creates a ripple effect of psychological safety and true teamwork.

8. Setting Boundaries with Grace and Compassion

One often overlooked part of the “Do you have 8 minutes?” question is the respect it shows for boundaries — both yours and theirs.

In a hyper-connected world, people often feel overwhelmed by the pressure to say yes to everything. Sinek’s approach gives others room to take stock of their time and emotional availability.

By asking instead of assuming, we allow the other person agency. If they say yes, it’s a genuine yes — not an obligation. And if they say no, that’s okay too. Either way, it’s a respectful, adult exchange. This method teaches a profound lesson: boundaries and generosity are not mutually exclusive — they can coexist beautifully.

9. A Culture of Connection: Lessons for Leaders and Teams

The implications of Sinek’s story reach far beyond personal relationships. In the workplace, team dynamics often mirror patterns we subconsciously establish in our personal lives.

Imagine a workplace culture where people feel comfortable saying:

  • “I’m overwhelmed today. Do you have 8 minutes to talk?”
  • “I’m unsure about this project. Can we sync briefly to clarify?”
  • “I had a tough morning. Could you check in later — just for a bit?”

This kind of communication fosters empathy, improves collaboration, and builds resilience. It shifts the narrative from efficiency-at-all-costs to human-first leadership.

And that’s the culture Simon Sinek has long championed: a workplace where people feel seen, supported, and safe enough to ask questions — even small ones like “Do you have 8 minutes?”

10. Final Thoughts: Redefining What Help Looks Like

In the end, Simon Sinek’s simple question contains volumes. It’s a doorway into a different kind of interaction — one built not on demands or assumptions, but on mutual respect and humanity.

In a room full of coaching professionals and corporate leaders, he reminded us all of something deeply personal and quietly revolutionary: helping isn’t always about solving. Sometimes, it’s just about showing up. Listening. Offering a slice of time that says, “You matter.”

So the next time you feel overwhelmed or unsure, don’t wait for a perfect moment or the right words. Just ask a simple, intentional question.

Do you have 8 minutes?

The answer might just change everything.