How to ask for help at work without feeling like a jerk
What is about asking for help at work that makes us feel…some kind of way?
Uncomfortable
Annoyed
Nervous
Jerky
Oh, I know: we’re human. We’re scared.
We will do everything we can to avoid feeling vulnerable or viewed as weak or incompetent.
But here’s some truth: we all need help.
We all NEED other people to support us on our journey. We need to be able to positively influence others so we can leverage their brilliance, creativity, ingenuity and power to get more things done. Influencing is not a solo sport...it's a team effort done best with the help of others.
Here’s three ways to build your confidence in asking for help at work without feeling like a jerk:
ELEVATE OTHERS WHEN ASKING FOR HELP
Elevate others when you ask for their help. Tell them a specific characteristic you see in them that makes you trust them and that is why you're specifically asking for their support or guidance. Doing this will make them feel amazing and will ease your vulnerability in asking.
Do not apologize for asking for help at work. You're human. So are they.
SUPPORT PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE HELPING YOU
Make it easy for others to help you. Set them up to succeed in helping you by giving clear instructions, deadlines and resources. Learn what's in it for them to help you and nurture that desire. Tell them you know they'll have questions and that you fully expect - and accept - them. Be honest about what’s in it for you to get this done - and what the consequences are of not getting this done.
RECIPROCATE - GIVE BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO HELP YOU!
Balance your requests with returned support and gratitude. Thank your people in the most generous way you can. Send a card, write an endorsement for them online, publicly thank them to their professional and personal circles, send a small gif or recommend them for opportunities.
Do the most you can to thank them and support them in return...and remember to preserve your boundaries in the process.
There’s a great African proverb that says:
“If you wanna go fast, go alone, if you wanna go far, go together.”
Go farther. Ask for help at work!
