Ten Business Reasons Why Asking for Help Works

In fact, bringing your people - any of them - into your confidence and asking for help, is a very powerful tool indeed. The form of words' "I need your help", works best. Here are Ten Reasons why this is:-

  • You Appeal to Emotions
    By asking an 'emotional' question you become very open and honest, which makes your people want to help you - this is a positive and not a 'feeling sorry' thing. It's a very natural reaction from them.

  • You Value Others
    Then they feel that you find at least something worthwhile in them - it makes them feels hugely valuable - inside. This helps bond your relationship and that of the team you are working with as a whole.

  • You Share the Load - and the Experience
    By having someone help you it makes for much lighter work - 'a problem shared...' etc. And by helping them work through a tricky experience with you, they will develop and grow for the future.

  • Other People are Much Better than You!
    It's true! You are not the best at everything - nor do you need to be. In fact the very best managers and leaders surround themselves with people who are much better, in their own field, than they themselves are. That's the sign of a great manager or leader.

  • You are a Model
    By asking for help yourself, you will show others that this is an OK thing to do. Thus they will start to do the same. Needing help is a challenge, yet it is all the better if it opens up ways of working better, more supportively; more creatively together. Lead the way!

  • It Shows You are Human
    Yes, it's OK too to have shortcomings. In fact that old model of the boss who knows everything and is just perfect was never true. By showing that you too have your ups and downs; have weaknesses, fears and doubts, makes you much closer to your people. (Hint - it's how they are feeling)

  • Vulnerability is Attractive
    Ever stopped to help an injured animal; or sooth a crying baby? How compelling was that vulnerability? When you need and ask for help, you are a much more interesting proposition. Your people will love you for it!

  • Their Confidence Builds
    As you take on board the support and help others give you, their ideas translate into brilliant solutions to the problems. By acknowledging the help you have been given and the real, better solutions they have shared, they will become much more confident - and a lack of confidence holds the whole world back.

  • Two Heads are Better than One
    Better solutions to issues comes from collaboration. the "I need your help" may well not be confined to a one to one relationship. By requesting help from your whole team, you can leverage that whole relationship. But take care not to dilute the effect by blandly using this excellent tool - churning it out without real meaning. One to one works best - because intimate, close and appealing requests work best.

  • You Stimulate Dialogue
    As you have done the asking, you encourage others to 'coach' you! How cool is that - the coach being coached! Yet, this dialogue is full of incredible richness. In fact someone once wrote, "Business is just a series of conversations" - what a wonderful start to yours!

    Try it next time you need some help. Start small, with little challenges you have and build your and their confidence. Watch out for the massive changes you see in your relationships with others.

    Copyright 2005 Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com. (Note to editors. Feel free to use this article, wherever you think it might be of value - it would be good if you could include a live link)

    ...helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow...

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Conflict Becoming the Norm ? Part 1

    A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More

    Effective Meetings Begin With a Real Agenda

    Everyone knows that an agenda is the key to an... Read More

    Three Professional Services Resolutions for 2005

    With client expectations higher than ever before, and the gradual... Read More

    Executive ESP: A Pathway to Success!

    We all have psychic abilities that we use daily, although... Read More

    Employees - Treat Them the Way They Expect to be Treated

    When you have to deal with one of your team... Read More

    Summertime Blues

    It's hard to believe the year will be half over... Read More

    Cheat Sheet; Understanding The MSDS and Your Obligations In The Workplace To Employees

    MSDS SHEETSMSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets. MSDS sheets... Read More

    How to Leverage Your Strengths for Peak Performance

    Ask almost any business leader how to most effectively develop... Read More

    How to Approach Group Decision Making

    GROUP DECISION MAKING -- IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM: Tell specifically what... Read More

    Selecting a Business Broker or Intermediary to Help You Sell Your Business

    As crazy as it seems, some people spend more time... Read More

    Classifying Motivational Needs

    While there exist several useful definitions of motivation, for our... Read More

    Bolster Credibility with Investors--Avoid These Phrases in Your Business Plan

    Remember Papa John's commercial on TV with the slogan "Better... Read More

    Effective Meetings - Quick Survey

    Here's an easy quiz to check the health of your... Read More

    Saying ?No? Gracefully to Customers and Colleagues

    Envision the scenario: You've just been asked at the last... Read More

    Driving of work trucks

    Each time you or one of your work crews cruises... Read More

    7 Tips for Growing Your Business You Do Not Want to Ignore: Business Strategies To Easily Implement

    Growing companies must always be ready for the next challenge.... Read More

    Business & Family Safety and Health Rating

    For good reason, practically every endeavor in life is rated.... Read More

    Innovation Management ? what are the practical impediments?

    Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

    Assessing Managers for International Competence

    How do you select staff for international assignments? It's an... Read More

    Meetings and Road Trips

    Managing a meeting is like setting off on a long... Read More

    Improved Communication to Improve Results

    Facilitating good communication can make the difference between a well... Read More

    4 Tips on How to Avoid Communication Lines Breakdown

    For example, in a small, two-person company, there is often... Read More

    Five Ways to Turn Resistance into Opportunity

    Resistance. It isn't something people cherish or enjoy encountering. We... Read More

    The Importance of Business Goals

    For you to get where you want to go, there... Read More

    What Every Manager Should Know About How to Overcome Boredom

    Do you find yourself easily becoming bored or tired at... Read More

    Just The Facts

    Attitudes are more important than facts. Dr. Karl Menninger... Read More

    How To Learn Great Management from Our Kids

    Learning comes from many places. And one of the most... Read More

    A Corporate Facelift With Sound Bytes

    If Baby Boomers can get botox and tummy tucks, then... Read More

    Character: Is It Necessary In Leadership? (Part One)

    We know character when we see it, but what exactly... Read More

    Employee Discipline: How to Nip Problems in the Bud

    Are you uncomfortable with delivering disciplinary action, even involving employees... Read More

    Romford Accountants: Accountancy Firm Roles and Responsibilities

    If you own or operate a business in the UK,... Read More

    Let the Professionals Help You Out - Outsource

    As your website grows in terms of attracting more footfalls,... Read More

    Are You the Culprit?

    Are you a business, non-profit or association manager who pretty... Read More