Leaders excel at solving problems and making decisions, but many struggle with one simple yet powerful action: asking for help. This reluctance can transform them into organizational bottlenecks and set a problematic example for their teams.
Gayle Lantz reframes asking for help as a “power move” rather than a sign of weakness. As she explains, “Leadership is a team sport,” and understanding when and how to request support can be the missing link between where you are and where you want to be professionally.
She explores the psychological barriers that prevent leaders from seeking assistance—from ego and pride to fear of vulnerability—while offering practical strategies to make asking for help a leadership strength and performance accelerator.
This episode covers:
- The real reasons leaders resist asking for help
- How reluctance to seek assistance impacts team dynamics and organizational efficiency
- Simple practices for becoming more comfortable requesting and receiving support
- How leaders can offer help to others in meaningful, unexpected ways
- A free reflection worksheet to enhance your help-seeking and help-offering practices
Gayle challenges listeners to both ask for help in one area where they’ve been hesitant and to offer unexpected assistance to someone else this week, reminding us that “the fastest path to growth isn’t always about doing more—it’s receiving more, including the help that you really need.”
LINKS:
Resource: Help Me / Help You: Leadership Reflection Worksheet (pdf)
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Why You Need to Embrace AI Today with Susan Frew (#251)
How Cyber Threat Intelligence Can Protect Your Organization with Mary D’Angelo (#250)