- Create a list of things you tried and potential solutions. …
- Consider your timing. …
- Carefully choose who you ask. …
- Be specific in your request. …
- Use a collaborative approach. …
- Be available to help.
HOW TO ASK FOR HELP AT WORK
How to ask for help
Here are some pointers on how to request assistance at work:
1. Create a list of things you tried and potential solutions
If you have attempted to resolve the problem and have some potential solutions you can try, your coworkers and supervisors may be more inclined to assist you. By doing this, you demonstrate to your coworker that you have made an effort to handle the challenge on your own and provide a starting point for their suggestions. By having these ready when you ask your coworkers for help, you also demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities while letting them know what kind of problem you are experiencing.
2. Consider your timing
When you need assistance, you can ask a coworker or your manager if they have some free time to help. You can inform them of the situation’s urgency or lack thereof and request that they arrange a time to meet with you. Based on the urgency of the situation, you can also choose how to get in touch with your colleague. For instance, if you require a quicker response, you can call them, send a work chat, or send an email if you can wait a little longer for a response.
3. Carefully choose who you ask
When deciding who to ask for assistance from, go with someone who is knowledgeable about the issue at hand. They may be knowledgeable about the resources you are using or know where to find the answer to your question. You can express your appreciation for their expertise and experience when you ask them for help. By doing this, you can foster a cooperative relationship and make them feel appreciated for their abilities.
4. Be specific in your request
By being specific in your request, you can ensure that your coworker or boss understands both your expectations for the conversation and the problem you’re trying to solve. This level of specificity informs your coworker of the situation, provides a basis for discussion, and indicates how much time they have to respond. The following information should be included in your request:
5. Use a collaborative approach
You can demonstrate to your coworkers and superiors that you are actively participating in the problem-solving process by approaching them with a collaborative mindset. Your coworkers will probably appreciate the communication, and when you figure it out together, you are frequently more likely to remember the solution. This collaboration might also result in the creation of fresh methods for averting future occurrences of the same issue.
6. Be available to help
There will probably come a time when your coworker also requires assistance with a problem. When you assist your coworkers, you support a workplace culture that values teamwork. Additionally, you strengthen relationships with your team, which may make them more likely to assist you in the future.
Why is asking for help at work important?
Asking for help at work is important because you can:
Help build a collaborative work environment
By allowing coworkers to share skills, asking for assistance can promote a collaborative work environment. When you acknowledge your coworkers’ expertise and emphasize that your team is working toward the same objectives, the process can increase goodwill between you and your colleagues.
Learn new skills
As you follow your coworkers’ recommendations, asking for assistance can teach you new skills. You could pick up some new skills or discover how to use the tools you already have. As you and your coworkers resolve the issue, you can also gain knowledge about troubleshooting.
Better manage your workload
By examining what made you feel overwhelmed, you can more effectively manage your workload. You can also collaborate with your managers and coworkers to create more effective scheduling. Additionally, you might discover that some of your coworkers perform tasks better than others, which could result in a more equitable distribution of work.
Develop stronger relationships with your coworkers and supervisors
By appreciating your coworkers’ specialties and expertise while pursuing a shared objective, you can strengthen your relationships. Asking for assistance can strengthen relationships with others because many people enjoy helping their peers.
Improve productivity and efficiency
Asking for assistance enables your coworkers to understand your limitations and create stronger team workflows. When operational and productivity issues are shared, the company’s overall productivity can be increased.
Get a better understanding of work expectations and processes
Asking for assistance can assist you in learning what your coworkers and superiors anticipate from a project or procedure. This might be particularly accurate if you’re working on challenging or brand-new projects.
When you should ask for help
Here are some circumstances in which you ought to ask your coworkers or supervisor for help:
You arent sure how to proceed
If you are working on a challenging project and are unsure of what to do next, your coworkers or supervisors can assist you. Such circumstances can assist you in finding a mentor and strengthening your bonds with your senior coworkers. They might be able to when you contact them:
You made a mistake
If you make a mistake and are unsure how to fix it, you should consult your manager or more experienced coworkers for assistance. Making mistakes can be a valuable learning experience, and working with colleagues to fix them helps you develop your skills. When you make a mistake, seeking assistance can also assist you in creating problem-solving techniques.
You have overcommitted yourself
When you have overcommitted, it’s crucial to contact your managers and coworkers. If you let them know that you are struggling to meet deadlines or that you have too many projects on your plate, they might be able to:
You need additional expertise
On occasion, you might need more information about a particular aspect of your project and find it difficult to locate the solution you need. You can ask your coworkers for their expertise and perspective. By doing so, you can continue creating a supportive, cooperative work environment and make them feel valued for their knowledge.
FAQ
How do you say professionally ask for help?
- “Could/Would you do me a favor?” — …
- “Could I ask / bother you / trouble you…” — .
- “Can you give me a hand with this?” — …
- “Lend me a hand with this, will you?” — …
- “Could you help me for a second?” — …
- “Can I ask a favor?” — …
- “Please, could I ask you for some advice?” —
How do I tell my boss I need help at work?
- Act quickly because the longer you wait to ask for help, the more dire the situation may become and the less options there will be to fix it.
- Make a list of your current projects and rank them according to importance.
- Determine how much time you will need for each task.
How do you politely ask a colleague for help?
- Use a clear, direct subject line. …
- Greet your reader. …
- Establish your credibility. …
- Put the question in the first or second sentence. …
- Use a call to action to clarify the next steps.
- Make your email easy to read. …
- Give your reader a deadline. …
- Close the email politely and thoughtfully.
How do you politely ask for help?
- Can you give me a hand with this?
- Could you help me for a second?
- Can I ask a favour?
- I wonder if you could help me with this?
- I could do with some help, please.
- I can’t manage. Can you help?
- Give me a hand with this, will you?
- Lend me a hand with this, will you?
