Recognizing Help-Seeking as a Strength

The best leadership lesson you'll receive today: (From a tech leader who spent 20+ years learning it the hard way) Stop being afraid to ask for help. We glorify self-reliance—but it’s quietly killing our potential. I used to think asking for help made me look weak—until I realized it was holding me back. When you finally break free and ask for help: 1. Your team trusts you more (they see your humanity) 2. Innovation picks up (more minds, better solutions) 3. Relationships deepen (vulnerability builds bonds) 4. Your mind clears (the weight gets lighter) 5. You lead by example (others feel safe to ask, too) The real leadership flex isn't having all the answers. It's creating an environment where questions are celebrated, not judged. Where does this courage come from? It starts with realizing: → Your silence hurts more than your questions → Your solo journey takes longer than shared paths → Your pride costs more than your vulnerability Every question you ask is a door you open. Every help you seek is a bridge you build. Every "I don't know" you share is a connection you create. The most respected leader in the room isn’t the smartest. They're willing to say: “Can you help me with this?” Your next breakthrough is waiting on the other side of the ask. Who will you reach out to today? My colleagues Steve Huynh, Rajdeep Saha, Sundas Khalid, and Ethan Evans are all sharing insights on asking for help. Check out their perspectives.

Know anyone who struggles with the concept of gratitude because they believe expressing gratitude is a sign of weakness? 🤷♂️ I’ve met people who believe expressing gratitude required them to admit they needed help and couldn't do ‘it’ alone. Okay…so, maybe gratitude does require humility…it also requires some honesty. WE ALL NEED HELP. Even for those people who believe they pulled themselves up “by their bootstraps”, I’ve always wondered…did they also make the boots? 🤯 This quotation from Alfred North Whitehead is about as clear as they come: 'No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.' This powerful quote challenges the misconception that gratitude and independence are mutually exclusive. In reality, recognizing the contributions of others doesn't diminish our achievements - it enriches them. Consider: • Does a championship team's gratitude to their coach negate their hard work and skill? • Does an Olympic medalist accomplish that feat without any help or support from others? • Does an Oscar winner's thanks to their mentors diminish their talent? • Does a successful entrepreneur's appreciation for their investors make their vision less valuable? The truth is, acknowledging help isn't a sign of weakness, but of wisdom and strength. Expressing gratitude shows: Self-awareness: Understanding our place in a larger ecosystem Confidence: Being secure enough to credit others Leadership: Inspiring a culture of support and collaboration Emotional intelligence: Recognizing and valuing relationships As we continue our Don't Wait to Thank journey, let's challenge ourselves and others to see gratitude as a strength. Who can you thank today, proudly acknowledging their role in your success? Take a moment to express gratitude to someone who's contributed to your journey. Notice how it feels - empowering rather than diminishing. Share your thoughts! How has expressing gratitude enhanced your confidence or success? Let's inspire each other to embrace the strength in appreciation. #DontWaitToThank #GratitudeIsStrength

𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 . . . 🔷Like many people, I had difficulty asking others for help with various work tasks and projects early in my career. Instead, I felt the need to do everything myself. Unfortunately, that reluctance to show vulnerability and trust in my colleagues eventually led to periods of very high stress, feeling overwhelmed, and, yes, even failure. 🌟After some hard lessons, pointed advice from leaders and mentors, unlearned wrongly held beliefs, and a good amount of deep reflection, I slowly opened up, worked harder at relationship building, and began trusting others. This mindset change became crucial as I needed help as projects grew over the years! 👇To break free from your reluctance to asking for help, try the following strategies: ✅Identify the limiting beliefs and assumptions that are holding you back. Asking yourself what is holding you back from asking for assistance and what consequence you are avoiding is a great starting point. ✅Reflect on the source of your limiting beliefs. Thinking about where or how your reluctance to ask for help initially developed can provide useful insights. Sometimes, the relationship dynamics have changed but we maintain assumptions that no longer hold true. ✅Try small experiments. Make small behavior changes to see the impact on how you feel or the response you get from others. It can be something simple like “Can I brainstorm with you for five minutes?” or “Would you be willing to take a look at my work and share your feedback with me?” ✅Share with others. Let others know that you are working to get better at asking for help. Sharing this with colleagues can not only enlist their support but make it easier for you to make the ask when the time comes — it can also prime them to be more receptive to these requests, providing positive reinforcement for your help-seeking behavior and further reducing your reluctance to reach out for support. ✅Create opportunities for practice, structure, and accountability. Set tangible, specific goals or structures for yourself that provide opportunities to practice and have a system (or colleague) for accountability. ✅Step back and reflect regularly. Reflection is where a lot of the learning happens. Find a regular time and cadence (e.g., daily/weekly) to ask yourself some good reflective questions like: Where was I able to ask for help? What made it easier to do this? Where didn’t I ask for help when I really could have used it? What held me back? Where do I have the opportunity to ask for help next? What might I try differently next time? 🎆Overcoming your reluctance to asking for help requires ongoing practice, reflection, and integration of new mindsets. By unlearning old, unproductive patterns that prevent you from reaching out for assistance when you really need it and relearning new ways of operating, you will feel more supported and less overwhelmed at work!

As a leader, asking for help can feel like admitting weakness or failure. I struggle with this every day! When I was in Corporate as a Learning Leader, it was expected that I knew it all...given the nature of my role! That expectation made it difficult, sometimes even embarrassing, to ask for help. Now, as a consultant, clients expect me to have the answers, and I strive to deliver, but the challenge of asking for help remains. So, how can leaders ask for help without losing authority? 1. Reframe asking as collaboration – Position it as a way to bring in new perspectives and ideas. It’s about teamwork, not weakness. 2. Be specific – Instead of saying, "I don't know," say, "I need help with this specific issue." It shows you’re still in control of the overall vision. 3. Set the tone – Create an environment where asking for help is seen as a strength. It opens the door for your team to do the same. Here’s the benefit: Showing vulnerability fosters trust. When your team sees you’re open to learning and collaboration, it encourages them to do the same, building a culture of openness and growth. Don’t be afraid to ask. It doesn’t diminish your leadership—it strengthens it. #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #employeedevelopment #careergrowth #culture #collaboration #teamwork GrowthMinded Consulting LLC

“𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗹𝗹 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽.” The biggest lie we often tell ourselves—and the one that holds us back the most. In the early years of my career, I believed I had to figure everything out on my own. I thought asking for help meant I didn’t know enough… That it would make me look weak or incapable. So I stayed silent, nodded through confusion, and Googled my way through struggles. But growth doesn’t come from pretending. It comes from leaning in. The day I finally gathered the courage to ask a colleague for help—everything shifted. Not only did I learn faster, but I also found unexpected support, mentorship, and clarity. What surprised me most? 𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲. In fact, people appreciated being asked. Because asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength. It shows your willingness to grow. If you’re hesitant to ask, start small: ✔️ Send a message like: “I admire how you handled that—can I ask for your input?” ✔️ Join a group where curiosity is welcomed. ✔️ Confide in someone you trust and say: “I’m stuck—have you ever felt like this?” People want to help more than you think. 🌱 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀? 👉 What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s hesitant to reach out for help? If this makes sense, follow Maitri Shah (Life Coach) for consistent and mindful shifts. #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #CareerAdvice #Asking

In the world of business and leadership, there's a myth we need to debunk: That asking for help is a sign of weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout my career, from the White House to corporate boards, I've learned this: Seeking advice from experienced, trusted people is a superpower. When facing a tough decision, I reach out to those who've been there before. It's not about delegating the choice.  It's about gaining perspective. These conversations help normalize experiences and shed light on blind spots. They've guided me through complex challenges and pivotal career moments. Remember, even the most successful leaders have mentors and advisors. It's not just about what you know, but who you can turn to when you don't. So, don't hesitate to seek help.  It's a sign of strength, not weakness.

I’ll never forget an interview I once had with a Chief Claims Officer. He was hitting me with tough questions - the kind that felt like landmines. I could tell he wasn’t expecting perfect answers… but I also wasn’t sure what he was looking for. Finally, after one particularly complex question, I paused and said: “I don’t know. I’d have to ask for help.” He literally jumped out of his chair and shouted, “YES! THAT’S the answer I was looking for.” He went on to say: “None of us know everything. The people I trust most are the ones who know when to say ‘I need help.’” That moment stuck with me. Too many of us have been conditioned to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness - that we need to have all the answers, all the time. Especially in leadership. But I believe the opposite is true. Asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. It’s humility. It’s courage. Whether you’re a claims adjuster, a CEO, or somewhere in between - the bravest thing you can do might just be to say, “I don’t know.” “I’m struggling.” “I need help.” Let’s normalize that.

➡️Why Is It So Hard to Receive Help? I’ve always been the first to offer help. It feels natural, dependable, and—if I’m honest—easier. There’s comfort in being the person others can count on. But receiving help? That’s a completely different story. Recently, I faced a dilemma and reached out to my network for advice. The responses were thoughtful and exactly what I needed. But instead of feeling relief, I felt… uncomfortable. Vulnerable, even. It made me stop and ask myself: Why is it so much easier to give help than to receive it? ➡️Why We Struggle to Receive Help Research highlights some key reasons: ◾It challenges our independence. Many of us equate self-sufficiency with strength. ◾It feels vulnerable. Accepting help means admitting we don’t have it all together. ◾It creates pressure. We often feel we need to “repay” the favor or prove we’re worth helping. But here’s the truth: Receiving help is not a weakness—it’s a sign of strength. It creates trust, deepens relationships, and fosters collaboration. ➡️How This Plays Out at Work In the workplace, the discomfort around receiving help shows up all the time: ◾Leaders hesitate to ask for input, worried they’ll appear less capable. ◾Employees avoid seeking help, fearing it might harm their reputation. ◾Colleagues reject offers of support, thinking it makes them seem dependent. But when organizations embrace giving and receiving help, everything changes: ◾Leaders who ask for help model humility and build trust across their teams. ◾Teams that share knowledge and support one another drive innovation and stronger results. ◾Employees who seek and accept help accelerate growth and foster stronger relationships. Collaboration isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of high-performing teams and thriving organizations. ➡️What I’m Still Learning I’ll be honest: I still struggle with receiving help. I often feel compelled to immediately reciprocate, as if I owe something in return. But I’ve realized: ◾Giving and receiving don’t have to be transactional. ◾Sometimes, simply receiving is enough. ◾Allowing others to help builds trust and creates meaningful connections. ➡️How We Can All Rethink Receiving Help ◾ Ask for help when you need it. It’s a sign of self-awareness and strength, not weakness. ◾Accept help with grace. Let go of discomfort and trust that others genuinely want to support you. ◾Give freely. Offer help without expecting anything in return and trust that the act of giving is enough. 🎤 What about you? Do you find it harder to ask for help or to receive it? How has this dynamic shaped your professional relationships and growth?

As part of this series on leadership lessons, I want to share something that’s deeply shaped the way I lead: learning to ask for help. Early in my career, I thought being a leader meant having all the answers. I felt I had to handle every challenge myself. But over time, I realized that leadership isn’t about doing it all—it’s about recognizing when others can bring valuable insights or expertise to the table. At Hayo, some of our best ideas and breakthroughs have come from collaboration. When I’ve asked my team for input or leaned on mentors for advice, I’ve seen solutions emerge that I could never have come up with alone. These moments not only solve problems but also build trust and strengthen our culture. Here’s what I’ve learned: Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of confidence in your team, your network, and your ability to lead with humility. What about you? When was the last time you leaned on others for support or guidance? How did it shape the outcome? Let’s keep the conversation going—leadership is a journey we all learn from. #Leadership #Collaboration #Growth #Teamwork #Hayo

Fortitude. Resolve. Endurance. Self-sufficiency. These words can evoke thoughts of strength of body and character. When you envision a strong person, do you think of someone who can do it all or someone who needs a hand? Asking for help isn’t often associated with grit and determination. In fact, some see it as a sign of weakness. I get the logic—if you have a robust inner strength you shouldn't need outside help. You’d be well-equipped to take care of yourself and withstand whatever life throws at you. Genuine strength is the ability to recognize when you can’t do everything on your own—when you’re capable of acknowledging you have too much on your plate and have the self-confidence to take action. Usually, that means reaching out for support. Why is the perceived link between strength and self-reliance so off base? I believe the disconnect comes from a fear of vulnerability. Vulnerability can be seen as weakness, because revealing you’re overwhelmed is so often accompanied by feelings of inadequacy and shame. When you're overwhelmed, embracing your vulnerability can be your greatest strength. Asking for help requires the courage to be honest with yourself. This type of thinking doesn’t always come naturally and demands a mental mettle only the strongest possess. If you let your perceptions about strength and weakness get in the way, a negotiation with yourself might be in order. I’ll warn you—this inner negotiation can be challenging, even painful, but you need to get to a place where you believe in your own power enough that asking for assistance won’t dismantle it. Knowing when you need help is a sign of emotional maturity, a demonstration that you’re secure enough in who you are, and an acknowledgement that asking for help doesn’t diminish your value. With this perspective, you aren’t threatened by the aid of others because your inner confidence sustains your psyche. #negotiatefearlessly #bringyourselfbook #askingforhelp