Why It’s Important to Ask for Help When You Need It


I was recently driving through town and observed something that made me think. On the side of the road a man was preparing to start his teenage daughter’s car with a jump box. He stood out in the cold and became visibly frustrated when he struggled to open the hood of the car. I decided to pull over to see if I could help. When I did, his daughter hopped out of the car, quickly opened the hood, and jumped back in the car. The jump box worked and he was on his way to get a new battery.

This situation made me think, how often am I guilty of not asking for help when I need it? How long will I keep trying something before I finally have to raise the question? There is a healthy balance of digging in and figuring things out for yourself. However, when we have others “in the car” with us, at what point should we ask? The answer I came up with: it depends. How critical is the task? How time-sensitive is it? Are others waiting on me because of it? What’s the impact?

I must admit, too often I’m on the end of not asking for help soon enough and that has an impact to people or projects. As leaders, it’s our job to be vulnerable and ask for help or admit when we don’t know something. This builds trust inside a team. You never know who might get you out of the cold quickly.

How do you know when it’s time to ask for help?

________________

Andrew Roelfs, Interstates Human Resources


RELATED POSTS

Tulsa, OK Office in Growth Mode

Interstates’ Tulsa, OK office opened in February 2021 and has been expanding its capabilities and workforce ever since. With an office in Oklahoma, Interstates is better positioned to serve new, local clients…

Read More
Lending a Helping Hand

Making a difference with our clients and communities is one of our why statements, a purposeful statement that we try to live out. Even during their busy season at work,…

Read More
Summer 2023 Cash for Causes

What Is Cash for Causes? Cash for Causes is a year-round, Interstates program that raises funds to support local, non-profit organizations. Through employee giving, Interstates impacts 52 non-profit organizations each year. With a…

Read More