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Asking for help is never fun.
Now I know what you’re thinking. If you need help, why not just ask?
The truth is that asking for help puts us in a vulnerable position. When we ask for help, we admit that we don’t know something to someone with whom we may not like to share that weakness. Sometimes we even have to ask for help from the same person several times, which makes us feel ashamed and even doubt our abilities.
But nothing is worse than overcoming all those fears, asking for help and getting the classic “ask someone else” or “I already told you this.”
The truth is, we can’t all get it perfect the first time. And there will be points in your career where you need some help. You’re being asked to do something you’re not good at, you want a second pair of eyes on a project, or you might even need some advice.
But getting help seems a lot easier said than done. How do we actually get the help we need?
Here are three things you, as an employee and as a CEO, need to keep in mind to make sure everyone gets the help they need.
Related: Getting Help Could Be the Key to Your Success
1. Be assertive when asking for help
One of the biggest problems I see with my clients’ employees who don’t get the help they need is that they aren’t very assertive when they ask for help. Sometimes asking for help can be uncomfortable, and you don’t want to silence the voice in your head that tells you you can find out for yourself, but the only way to really know is to ask — and not with any help. doubt.
If you ask for help like it’s an afterthought, the person you’re asking isn’t going to make it a priority. When you ask for help, don’t just say, “Hey, if you have a moment, would you mind looking at this?” and then follow it up with, “Take your time. There’s no rush at all, don’t worry about it.”
The person you are asking for help is probably busy. If you don’t say you need help and you need it now, you won’t get it.
Be assertive when you ask and go the extra mile. A great way to do this is to say, “Hey, I’m really struggling with this problem. Could you be available anytime today to help me? I can meet you at ___.”
When you approach the situation this way, you are claiming that you need help, need it now, and are willing to do the work to make it happen. It’s a lot easier for your co-worker, boss, or anyone you need to talk to to answer when they’re free, as opposed to a generic “I’ll help you later.”
Related: 5 Ways to Get Better at Asking for Help
2. Use your network!
The internet won’t tell you everything. Sure, using it to find answers to some of your problems is a very effective way to quickly meet your needs. But it would help if you looked at using your network for the more difficult, more abstract problems.
The people around you are some of the most fertile resources you can ask for. Chances are they know how to help you, or at least they know someone you know.
Don’t be afraid to reach out (assertively) to those around you and ask for their input. (This is also a great way to make real relationships and future customers).
3. Make your organization easy to use
For all leaders reading, my biggest advice to you is to make your organization a place where help is available. The last thing you want is for your employees to tell their co-workers, “Don’t bother. No one is helping around here.”
Check in with your employees regularly, ask if they need help, and most importantly, familiarize yourself with the tasks your employees perform so you can be a resource to them.
You are the biggest resource of your employees, so don’t hesitate to share some knowledge!
In general, it’s best not to be afraid to ask. It’s hard and can be uncomfortable, but it gets easier over time. Once you are no longer afraid to ask for what you need, your success will skyrocket.
Related: 2 Ways to Get What You Want: Ask and Attract
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