Why Asking for Help is Essential

There are some things that I am really good at. Napping, driving too fast, and making penne a la vodka to name a few. Actually, that may be an exhaustive list. Do you want to know something I am not good at? Asking for help. Yet, it is something that I am intentionally trying to shift.

Only 25% of Americans are willing to ask for help before trying something new. We worry that asking for help will make us look bad or weak, yet the research shows that those concerns are unfounded. In one study, researchers found that asking for help with a simple task had no negative impact, and asking for help with a more difficult task actually raised their perceived competence.

There are some things that we just can't do alone, and many things we simply don't have to do solo. This is especially true when it comes to our careers. Whether it's asking for help with a project or seeking guidance from a mentor, asking for help is essential if we want to be successful. It also demonstrates that you're confident enough in yourself to know when you need help and that you're not afraid to ask for it.

There are many different ways to ask for help. You can ask a colleague for advice, request feedback from your boss, or even reach out to a professional organization for resources. No matter how you do it, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

So next time you're feeling stuck, remember that it's okay to ask for help. It's essential to our success. And who knows, you may even find yourself helping others along the way.

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RACHEL DEALTO

Rachel DeAlto is a keynote speaker on communication, leadership, team building, and more. She’s on a mission to connect people to their most powerful resource—each other.