Asking for Help is a Sign of Strength, Not Weakness. Here's How You Can Do So Successfully

It may seem counter-intuitive, but asking for help is more a sign of strength than weakness. Experienced and effective leaders know their limitations and are not afraid to reach out to others for assistance. By asking for help, leaders can gather new perspectives, fill gaps in their own knowledge, and improve their decision-making ability. Additionally, involving others in problem-solving can foster collaboration and build stronger relationships within the team. These all sound like wins to me.

However, leaders must be strategic in their approach to asking for help. It's important to choose the right people to ask, clearly articulate the problem, and provide context for why their input is needed. Leaders should also express gratitude for the assistance provided and follow up on the outcomes of the discussion. This will build trust, strong relationships, and a network of two-way support structures for the future.

The benefits of asking for help, and why it should be seen as a success, are significant. It will improve your decision-making long-term, as you are getting exposure to new ideas which will have a lasting effect. You are building relationships and fostering the idea of collaboration. Asking others for their expertise is highly efficient. Think about the time required to learn about the areas you may need support, versus asking someone who already knows. Finally, asking for help is a trust building. It can be a vulnerable situation, but that is where trust is strengthened. It also shows humility. The know-it-all is rarely the person people seek to follow when real leadership is needed.

Leaders may understand, and even embrace, the need for help. The real barrier may lie in knowing how to seek assistance, without some of the stigmas that may come with it. Here are some ways leaders can ask for help.

Start with why you need help

Asking for assistance begins with understanding why you require help in the first place, and how your strengths are not the full solution to the situation. Again, this is not a shortcoming, and it is not really about strengths versus weaknesses. No single person can know all there is to know. Utilizing resources, including other leaders, is an excellent way to solve problems, create development opportunities for yourself, and build connections that may not have existed otherwise.

Connect wisely

Once you have identified the need for help, and why you need it, you will be better able to find the right people that can offer the specific assistance you need. This too may require reaching out to others to see who they may recommend for certain circumstances. There may be other reasons to be strategic in whom you connect with. For example, you may know they have experience in the area you need help with. Perhaps you are aware they have additional connections outside your normal network. These can be handy factors to consider when selecting the partner you will work with.

Communicate clearly

Providing a clear and concise outline of the help you need is necessary to ensure you will get the results you are hoping for in your collaboration. We have all been on the other end of a conversation that meanders a bit in getting to the point (guilty). Since you have already identified the problem in the first step and know why you need their assistance, get right to the point. It is respectful of their time, and will ensure you are going to get the output you are looking for.

Provide the background

Context is often the most important element in helping to provide support and insights. Without the proper framing of the situation, variables, and other key factors, the help someone else provides may be less relevant. Have these key pieces of information ready for the initial conversation.

Express gratitude

When seeking assistance from others, it is important to remember that you are borrowing their time. Although most people are happy to help, it is still crucial to express gratitude for their support. Let them know the significance of their contribution and how it is benefiting you. Additionally, it's a great opportunity to offer your assistance for any future needs they may have.

Close the loop

When you have resolved your situation, and the input from others has helped to a successful conclusion, let them know. Everyone likes to hear how things turn out. Most will be invested in your success as they provide the help you are seeking. This last step will deepen the connection, and allow you to finalize the entire process.

These steps can assist in making the request for help easier, but also more meaningful. The cycle can be repeated as you complete projects where you asked for help, and it will open the door for others to do the same with you. Asking for help is a critical aspect of effective leadership. By leveraging the expertise and insights of others, leaders can improve their own abilities and drive better results for their teams, their companies, and themselves.

What steps will you take to apply these insights on asking for help as a sign of strength for effective leadership?

Join other retail leaders in continuing their development journey with Effective Retail Leader.com. SUBSCRIBE today to receive leadership tips directly to your inbox and monthly newsletters that provide many tools to help further develop your leadership skills. JOIN NOW!

Photo by Matthew Waring on Unsplash