We’ve all been there—the workload grows and grows, and suddenly it’s too much! How can you ask for help while maintaining your professional credibility?
It’s actually easier than you might think. If you reflect on the times you’ve been asked to help someone else, you’ll probably recall that, if the person was otherwise competent, you were happy to lend a hand, and it didn’t diminish your views of that person.
So how should you approach it?
Think about your work history at this organization first. If you’re new, no worries at all! Just ask all your questions. They should expect it. But if you’ve been there a while, think about who you’ve asked questions of before, both to determine who’s been helpful and to make sure you’re not asking the same person each time. I find it helpful to write my questions down, but naturally that’s up to you. But be sure to take some notes so you remember what you’ve decided and what your next steps are!
When you approach the person you’re going to ask, do so politely but confidently. Avoid the temptation to be sheepish and overly apologetic. It’s perfectly normal to have questions or need help, so be confident about it! Here are some steps to get you started:
- Be clear in your ask. What do you want the other person to do?
- Start with the issue you the most help solving.
- Let them know what your timeline is.
- If they seem burdened by your request, back off and ask someone else.
- Thank them for their support!
