For many people, asking for help is a significant challenge.  We have all heard the cultural stories about men being unable or unwilling to ask for directions, even when hopelessly lost.  Fortunately, asking for help is a skill we can all learn and improve.  Asking for help is the single best way to get help, and is a clear tool that the most successful people have figured out.  In this complex world, no one has the knowledge and experience to tackle difficult problems alone.  It may take a village to raise a child, but it also takes help to master the important work challenges.

Here are 10 tips to help you improve both your own and your team’s skills at asking for help:

1. Clearly understand the problem, goal, or objective
2. Be specific
3. Express why you need help
4. Ask for something that is actionable by the helper
5. Be realistic
6. Formulate requests with a due date
7. Build a network of people willing to ask and willing to help
8. Be direct and authentic
9. Thank people who ask you for help
10. Asking for help enables others to provide help, which feels good

These tips are based on the recent book, “All You Have to Do Is Ask” by Prof. Wayne Baker.  Please read the book to get more tips and more details.  Submitted by Scott Hanton, ALMA Board Member