It’s not easy to ask for help at work. As natural and inevitable as it may be, we can sometimes operate under the false assumption that needing help shows a lack of skill and can negatively impact how we are seen by our peers and superiors in the workplace. Let me disavow you of that notion!
Knowing how to ask for help is critical for your career growth- Photo Credit- Jeshoots.com–Unsplash
No one can do everything alone, and the best thing we can do is accept that asking for help is a necessary part of growth and success in the workplace.
But it’s not just about asking for help, you also must find the right person to go to, make sure it’s the right time to approach them and be open to help when someone in your team comes to you with a question. Want to know how to ask for help at work and why it’s important for your team’s success? Keep reading.
It’s easy to let our insecurities trick us into believing that asking for help at work will reflect poorly on how we are perceived by our colleagues. You must be willing to be vulnerable to accept you need assistance, and no one likes to admit they don’t have everything under control. When self-sufficiency is held in such high regard, it can be hard to owe a favor or to trust that our coworkers won’t use what we see as a moment of weakness against us in the future.
Another common fear that keeps people from asking for help at work is not wanting to bother others. According to Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries, a management scholar and a leadership guru writing for the Harvard Business Review, “If you want to be fulfilled and successful at work, it’s important to acknowledge when you’re working beyond your individual capacity and be open to seeking assistance.”
Furthermore, while many assume that asking for help is a sign of weakness, studies have shown that confident people who have higher self-esteem are actually far more likely to “ask for, and receive, more emotional, instrumental, and informational support” than people who feel more insecure and are frequently worried about being liked.
Confident people tend to have an easier time asking for help. Photo Credit- Kraken Images- Unsplash.jpg
Why Knowing How to Ask for Help Is a Key to Success
Once you’ve embraced the idea that going to others when you’re in need is a critical element of your success, you’ll start noticing all the other ways in which, instead of making a negative impact on how you’re seen, asking for help will enhance your professional relationships, improve your work, and help others in the process. How?
It helps people at work learn and grow: Accepting your limitations and reaching out to the right person can help you learn new things and have a better understanding of the way things work at your company.
It creates a collaborative environment in the workplace: Sharing knowledge with coworkers creates a collaborative environment where everyone brings their strengths to the table. This can help reaffirm relationships between employees and make it easier for them to trust each other in times of need.
It makes teams more efficient and improves the quality of work: It shouldn’t be surprising to find that when people are comfortable enough to ask for help, it’s easier to spot mistakes and polish our work. The collaborative environment that comes from these dynamics at work also makes teams work better and helps them solve issues faster, making them more efficient.
It helps develop strong relationships between coworkers: Since everyone feels comfortable relying on each other when necessary, knowing when to ask for help can help team members and their leaders build more profound connections.
It encourages others to ask for help: Seeing successful, confident team members and leaders reach out for help without making a big deal of it will inspire others to do the same without feeling shame or guilt.
Make sure you need it: Before you reach out to anyone, make sure that whatever it is you need help with is something you can’t take care of on your own. Explore all the possible solutions, look through any available guides, and be ready to go through all your research if a review is necessary.
Don’t take too long: Taking too long to ask for help can slow the workflow and impact you and your whole team negatively. It can also make coworkers or supervisors wonder why it took you so long to ask for help, so if you feel something is beyond your skills don’t be afraid to find assistance. It’s also best not to wait for something to be time-sensitive.
Find the right person and ask at the right time: Find someone you know can answer your questions and ask when they have time to sit down with you if the problem is not time sensitve. Don’t be afraid to ask others if you don’t know who the right person is; people you didn’t even consider might be willing and able to help.
Do your homework: Before you reach out, make sure you know what you want to ask and how many questions you will need answered. Be respectful of your colleagues and their time and show your research and all the steps you followed before reaching out to them.
Be polite and grateful: It takes time and a good disposition to happily assist others at work, so if someone has agreed to teach or help polish your skills, be sure you are involved, on time, and always show your gratitude.
And then, pay it forward! Identify your strengths and skills and reach out to coworkers you think may be struggling with something that comes easily to you. By being approachable you will make it easy for those feeling insecure to ask for your help.
Mexico City-born freelance writer, translator, ghostwriter, editor and Red Shoe Movement contributor with a love of live music and graphic novels. Has collaborated with Yahoo!, Blouin Artinfo, Yahoo! en Español, Savvy Heels, Morelia International Film Festival (FICM) among others.
