Imagine resigning from your job as a manager for greener pastures. Due to your expertise, you have no doubt that you’re the best candidate for your new position, seeing that you have experience of over 10 years at your former job. But as you start working for the new company, you notice that the systems of operations are way different from your former workplace. You’re really not sure where to start from and some things seem so complicated that you may need some help. But considering everyone views you as an expert, you probably don’t want to be the one that doesn’t know how a few things operate and you don’t want to seem unknowing, or scared that when you ask for help, your boss may suppose you aren’t the right person for the position. So what do you do? Keep silent and mess things up, or throw your ego and fear under the bus? No one can fire you for asking for help, because at least they know you admit when you don’t know something and are willing to learn. The danger is in not asking, because you’re prone to making mistakes. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. Even when you’re so experienced, or educated, you may lack some skills, or expertise in a specific area and requesting for assistance is one of the ways to learn from others. No one knows it all. Asking for help allows others to share their knowledge or gifts with you. Have you come across people who would rather figure out things on their own, than ask for help for fear of being perceived as unserious, or not smart? It is a thought that can kill you from inside, that even limits you to reach a certain level of growth in your career. Anyone who locks themselves in their world or not accepting any assistance from others hinders themselves from learning from their mistakes, and excelling at their jobs. Experts say that the act of asking for support and openly receiving it is perhaps one of the hardest life skills to practice, yet it’s the skill that can make you better as a person and a stronger leader. According to Claire Mutesi, an entrepreneur and business personnel, requesting help is viewed as a way of returning the favour someday, by some people. They assume that it’s a must when they receive the help, to give it back, which isn’t true. ‘You can or you can’t, depending on whether you know how to help or not, if you don’t.’ She also notes that other people think that requesting for support, is burdening others yet they are busy, or believe that others will think they lack the skills, and resources, yet they don’t want to seem weak or unskilled. Mutesi explains that if you don’t open up about your need for help, people may think you aren’t social, a thing that may limit them from asking for help from you as well. She highlights that failure to ask for help averts you from receiving the opportunity to learn from others who are more experienced, skilled and educated. Devine Uwase, a business manager in Kigali is of the view that sometimes the help you need is not even skills, but requesting someone to help out so as you reduce your load of work and submit in time. For her, at times it’s a mistake that needs rectifying as soon as possible so the failure to do so, may affect the company. So all you need is someone that knows how to handle that. “Any kind of help is important, even when you win the prize for the best employee of the year, it doesn’t mean that your work is always perfect, get someone to advise you about your project or assignment before you submit it. You could be surprised that the advice you get may make it better or perfect,” she says. She stresses that asking for help allows you to learn to use new tools and new skills or ways of doing things. Uwase notes that while asking for help, get someone who is experienced, and be open to your colleagues on how you need the help; details assist someone on offering you the best feedback and at a specific period of time.
