The previous article discussed the hurdles and rewards of seeking help; this blog will delve into practical scenarios and approaches for asking for assistance effectively.
1. When You Have No Idea What You’re Doing:
1A. Show your work & get clarity. Be sure to do your homework before just asking because if it is something that you can figure out yourself, you want to stay away from those questions. Asking somebody and they look on the internet to find the answer in 30 seconds will show you should have taken that step. Make sure to consider simple options; many people try to break down doors when they have not even checked if it is unlocked.
1B. Start by looking through your available resources – inbox, team folder, and company intranet. You do not need to spend extensive time here, but briefly perusing may get you the correct information. Know your limitations; do not torture yourself for hours or days before getting the help because people value efficiency. Dedicate a reasonable time you want to spend digging into the work yourself. You don’t want your boss to wonder why you did not come to her sooner to get a little help that would have unblocked and expedited the whole process. Also, if you try to do it yourself when you have no idea, it can turn out wrong, and you will have wasted your time.
When you do ask for help because you have no idea, you can share with them where you looked and what you tried so you are viewed as being resourceful. You can say, “I’ve explored our resources and consulted with Sam but I still have questions. I would love to get more clarity on the details of the XYZ project. Could we set a time to sit down, talk through the nuts and bolts of this assignment, and make sure we’re on the same page?”
2. When You Have Too Much on Your Plate. It happens to the best of us. You say yes to every project because you want to be helpful, and now you’re completely buried. You’ve reached your limit, and you know there’s no way you’ll finish everything by the deadline, even if you pulled all-nighters for the next three weeks. Request some assistance from your other coworkers. You may feel like you’re shirking responsibility. But everyone has been in this situation at least once in their life. You can say, “I don’t like feeling like I’m trying to pass off work, but I’m swamped. If you have any extra time, would you mind helping me with the XYZ aspect of this project or “I know that’s your area of expertise; Would you mind lending a hand or providing guidance?”
3. When You Made a Mistake. Mistakes are inevitable; when they happen, do not try to cover them up and hope nobody will notice. If you need help fixing your slip-up, approach the appropriate people immediately. Mistakes can be meaningful learning experiences, and you build skills when you work with colleagues to resolve such issues. Asking for help when you make a mistake can also help you develop problem-solving strategies. “I made an error on the report on this project. Can you assist me in rectifying it? Your expertise would be invaluable.”
4. When You Need Additional Expertise or Insight. So, if you’re working on a projectyou think could greatly benefit from the additional input of your co-workers, do not hesitate to ask them to lend their advice and talents. It fosters collaboration among your team members and helps make your project the best it can be. You can say, “I’m working on XYZ project, and I’d love your expert insight into this area. Can we set up a time to chat and bounce ideas off each other? I think your input could take this project to the next level!”
4A. Contextualize Your Inquiry When Possible. Instead of asking, how do I complete this form, you can ask, “I know there has been a change in some processes lately, is this the correct form to complete for this engagement?”
4B. Prepare Solutions and Attempts. Your coworkers and supervisors may be more likely to help you if you have tried to resolve the issue and have some possible solutions you can try. Doing so shows that you have been attempting to manage the challenge independently, giving your colleagues a place to start when they offer suggestions. Having these prepared as you approach your colleagues for assistance also shows your competence and problem-solving skills while giving them insight into your issue.
4C. Offer Options with Recommendations. If the question is subjective about what to do next or the best approach, and there are no right or wrong answers, only better or worse approaches, instead of asking open-ended questions, such as what do you suggest, you can provide a menu for them to react to. For example, “I know this customer has had a pivot and is focused on that. As such, I narrowed the best approach to this campaign as A, B, and C. Here are the pros and cons for each. I recommend A for these reasons. It would be great to get help on the approach.” You can also ask, “Am I thinking about it in the right way, or do you feel differently? Giving them a menu of options enables them to assess your ideas quickly, and, if needed, come up with a few of their own.
Embracing the art of seeking help is a testament to humility and adaptability. By leveraging our peer’s collective knowledge and experience, we foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
Quote of the day: "It is a sign of strength, not weakness, to admit that you don't know all the answers." - John P. Kotter
Question: What strategies have you found most effective in seeking support? Comment and share below; we’d love to hear from you!
As a leadership development and executive coach, I work with leaders to strengthen their communication, contact me to explore this topic further.
The next blog in this series 5/5 will focus on top tips to consider when requesting help.
How do you ask for help?