The Advantage of Asking

Somewhere along the way, we started to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness. That admitting we don't know something diminishes our authority. That asking makes us look weak.

This is backwards.

The most successful people aren't the ones who never need help—they're the ones who've gotten comfortable asking for it quickly.

Here's what happens when you don't ask…

You spend three hours wrestling with a problem that someone else could solve in three minutes. You reinvent wheels that have already been perfected. You miss opportunities to collaborate because you're too busy being stuck.

But the math is simple. Thirty seconds of vulnerability saves you hours of frustration.

But here’s the thing: You have to get good at asking.

Good isn't "Can you do this for me?"

Good is "I've tried X and Y, I'm stuck on Z, and I think the answer might be related to A—what am I missing?"

This demonstrates that you've already invested effort. It makes helping you feel productive rather than enabling. Those worth asking will be delighted to unstick you when you're clearly trying to move forward.

Remember: Your ego isn't your friend here.

We all need help from time to time. The question is whether you'll ask for it before it’s too late.