Today, I’m going to shift gears to my career and would like to discuss about one common issue I have seen over years working in teams – Asking for help at the right time. The reason I want to write about this is due to the fact that yesterday evening, my team member and I were discussing about a new hire who had joined our team and would not ask for help and would prefer do everything by himself.This made me think of sharing my perspective on asking help at work.

Most of us work in a project based environment nowadays and we all know that the success of a project relies on the timely completion of project tasks. As a project team member, meeting your commitments to complete these tasks contribute to the overall success of the project. So what happens when you are unable to keep up with your commitments?
1) Do you continue on your current path despite the fact that you are unlikely to meet your commitments on time, cost, or quality?
2) Do you ask for help or wait too long to seek help and allow your missed commitments to damage the overall integrity of the project plan and the project itself?
You may have had no intentions to harm the project, but in the end you do by not asking for help in a timely manner.

It is possible that many of us may have negatively impacted one or more projects because of our hesitation to ask for help. It is a common observation that we wait for help to descend upon us without asking. Do you think this is a practical approach to a difficult situation?

Most project team members either do not ask for help or wait too long before they seek help. It’s critical to understand that asking for help as proactively and as early as possible is always recommended. But it’s not easy to ask for help. People have a general impression that asking for help means, a sign of weakness, while, making it alone is a sign of strength and virtue. But today, as we come together as teams to pool our talents and skills, it results in far more complex and remarkable achievements. In fact, asking for help is a sign of strength. In this scenario, not doing so, is a sign of weakness and can undermine the success of the project.

Asking for help is a sign of professional maturity, not weakness. Project teams need to create a work environment where asking for help is encouraged. Creating discomfort for those seeking help can only lead to a difficult situation for the team rather than progress. Such an environment can be detrimental to the project itself. Therefore teaming and teamwork, directly co-relate to the project’s success and with the success of each of its contributors. The benefit of teaming is to bring people with a wide range of skills and experiences all of which adds value and enhances the scope of individuals’ contribution on that project.

Following some tips to seek help can make it effective and easier in a corporate environment:
1) Clearly define the problem you need help on. A problem that is incompletely or vaguely defined wastes valuable time, energy, and funds.
2) Explain the proposed solution. If you have more than one feasible solution, list them and take a position on the solution you favor.
3) When you ask for help, you show that you take pride in your work and care about the success of the project.
4) Asking for help has the additional benefit of building rapport with that person you sought help from.

Don’t risk becoming part of the problem because of misplaced pride. Do what you know is right. We all need help from time to time. In today’s highly competitive and demanding environment it is all the more essential for team members to be honest and accountable for the responsibility they share as part of the team and for the success of the project.

Also, being a working mom, trying to juggle between multiple priorities at home and at work makes it imperative for me to ask help from my team members. There are many a times, my team has stepped in for me and completed many of my tasks. As a result we have built strong relationships which are meant to last lifelong. Finally don’t forget to thank anyone who has helped you. It is important to appreciate and acknowledge any timely help, be it from your spouse or from your friend/colleague.