In our professional journeys, we inevitably encounter moments of uncertainty and challenge. Though asking for help may initially feel daunting, it unveils many personal and organizational benefits. Let’s explore the concerns, rewards, and strategies associated with seeking assistance in the workplace.
Concerns with Asking for Help:
1. We can Feel Self-Reliant. If we are used to being self-sufficient, figuring things out, and getting all things done, suddenly feeling like we want or need assistance from others can be hard and feel humbling, challenging our sense of autonomy and competence.
2. It’s Uncomfortable. There are social risks we can encounter in asking for help, we may fear rejection, and if we do need help and others do not help us, we can feel disappointed or even resentful if we have assisted in the past. We also worry about our perception; we want to look good and competent.
The fear of rejection and concerns about perception may deter us from reaching out for support, fostering discomfort and reluctance.
3. We View it as a Sign of Weakness. We want to put our best foot forward. If we are starting a new job, we want to ensure they hire us for a reason. When we ask for help, it is a failure because we should know what to do and how to do it. We can feel like we have a diminished status because they know something we don’t know.
4. Worried about Getting the Wrong Kind of Help. Sometimes, you can ask somebody, and they can offer help in their particular and rigid way rather than in the way you prefer to the point where it does not even feel like help anymore. It can create more work and stress in the process and have us regret asking in the first place.
5. Don’t Want to Owe Anybody Anything. If we ask for help, we may feel like we must return the favor or will have something held over our heads.
6. Uncertainty in Seeking Guidance. You may not know where to start with your help and you do not want to ask the wrong person, thereby exposing your incompetence if you do not have to, so we feel it is better to remain silent than foolish for speaking up in the first place.
Benefits of Asking for Help
1. Acquisition of New Skills. Seeking assistance fosters learning and skill development, enabling individuals to expand their knowledge base and enhance proficiency. By asking, you learn expectations and processes that will allow you to do your job more effectively.
2. Facilitation of Career Progression. It’s virtually impossible to advance in modern organizations without assistance from others. Cross-functional teams, fragile project management techniques, matrixed or hierarchy-minimizing structures, and increasingly collaborative office cultures require you to constantly push for the cooperation and support of your managers, peers, and Directs. Your performance, development, and career progression depend more than ever on seeking the advice, referrals, and resources you need. Rhonda Morris, Head of Human Resources at Chevron, said that asking for help is a sign of strength because it shows that you are engaged, taking ownership, and signaling that you can deliver the work asked of you.
3. Effective Workload Management. Sometimes, when you ask for help, you can learn the cause of the overload and overwhelm and redesign your work for more efficient scheduling. You may also find that some of your coworkers handle tasks better than others, which can lead to a more even distribution of work.
4. Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency. Asking for help allows your coworkers to recognize your limitations and build most robust workflows for the team, which can improve productivity for the overall company when they are managing resources efficiently.
5. Strengthen Relationships with your Coworkers and Supervisors. You build camaraderie by acknowledging your colleagues' specializations and expertise while working toward a common goal. Many enjoy helping their peers; asking for help can build those relationships. By not asking others for help, you are depriving them of the good feeling they get from helping. Also, it benefits the person providing help. When we request help, we allow others to share their knowledge and expertise, which can be incredibly fulfilling for them. It strengthens relationships and builds trust, creating a culture of reciprocity and collaboration.
6. Build Psychological Safety & A Collaborative Work Environment. Psychological safety pertains to the belief that one can take interpersonal risks, such as asking questions or for help, or admitting mistakes, without facing negative consequences. When employees feel safe, they are more likely to seek assistance, enhancing team collaboration and problem-solving. Recent studies have demonstrated that teams with high levels of psychological safety tend to outperform those with lower levels. Moreover, employees in these environments experience lower stress levels and greater job satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and overall organizational success. The process can build goodwill between you and your coworkers as you recognize their expertise and reinforce that your team is working toward the same goals. In this environment, asking for help becomes a natural part of the learning process rather than something to be feared or avoided. When people are invested in each other’s success, creativity and innovation blossoms.
Embracing the art of asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a testament to strength, resilience, and a commitment to continuous growth. We unlock our full potential and foster a culture of collaboration and excellence by harnessing the collective expertise and support within our professional networks.
Quote of the day: "The strong individual is the one who asks for help when they need it." - Rona Barrett
Question: How do you like to ask for help? 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 4/5 will focus on tactics for asking for help.
The Importance of Help - When do you Ask?