Leading Up: How to Ask for Help as a New Employee

So, you’ve just landed a new job. Congratulations! Now it’s time to learn more about yourself as a person and a leader by asking for assistance at work. That’s right—no matter what your formal position is, everyone has the potential to influence the people around them. While it may make you feel vulnerable and nervous, asking for help is sometimes the only way to overcome a challenge and learn something new. Even the best leaders understand that they don’t know everything, and they can use the strengths of others to increase or supplement their own.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to ask for help at work and why it’s so essential. We’ve included plenty of scenarios and tips to give you the confidence to reach out, regardless of your situation.

How to Get What You Need to Be Successful

Before we begin, know there is no shame in asking for help. It’s OK not to know all the answers because everyone needs direction. If you need help and don’t ask for it, you may limit yourself and your ability to complete a task or miss out on a significant growth opportunity. Follow these steps to advocate for yourself and reach out to someone who can provide you with the information and resources you need to be successful.

1. Understand Your Problem

Your first goal is to figure out which task or issue you need help with. That seems obvious, but it’s essential to understand your request before you take it to someone else. This will help you get a handle on what you may be struggling with and find details you can ask about.

For example, you may be struggling with building the company website. Upon further inspection, you discover that you’re unsure how to create buttons, which is holding you back. Instead of saying, “I need help with building this website,” you can ask, “Can you show me how to code the buttons on the homepage?”

2. Use Available Resources

Before you ask someone, try to find the answer on your own. If it’s a simple question with a straightforward answer, Google your query or scour the company’s documentation to see if you can find it. Don’t dive too deep—if you can’t find the answer in a reasonable time and in an obvious place, then ask for help so you don’t waste more time.

If your question doesn’t have a clear answer and you need help choosing the approach you should take, use what’s available to you to come up with a list of options. Lay each option out and compare them to uncover which one you think is the best. You may find you’ve answered your own question, but if you’re still stuck, you can present your options and opinions to a colleague or manager to get their take on the issue. This extra step shows off your problem-solving skills and capability, even when asking for help.

3. Discover What Help You Need

Next, think about what type of help you need. This can include advice, explanations, information, tools or assistance. To help you with this step, we’ve provided a few scenarios and the type of help you may need if you’re in them.

• You’re knowledgeable but feeling insecure or unmotivated: You may need encouragement or opportunities to discuss your progress with your supervisor. Try scheduling time with them to discuss the difficulties you’re having.
• You’re motivated but can’t perform a task: Maybe you just don’t know where to start. You could ask your supervisor to paint the bigger picture for you. They can explain why you’re doing that task, provide a clear direction and offer the support you need to accomplish it. Have this conversation as soon as possible so you don’t start the task directionless and possibly have to start over.
• You don’t know where to start: Confusion can make anyone feel insecure and intimidated, but don’t beat yourself up—everyone feels this way from time to time. Lead up by asking your supervisor for detailed instructions or to outline your role, the directions you should follow and any information you may have missed.
• You’ve made a mistake: As much as we try, no one is perfect and we’re all bound to make mistakes. Instead of hiding your mishaps, ask your superior or a colleague to help you fix them. With their experience, you can work together to solve the problem much more quickly than if you did it on your own.
• You’ve taken on too much work: Sometimes, we find ourselves with too much on our plates, and this can make us feel overwhelmed and stressed. Instead of suffering in silence and potentially missing deadlines, ask your supervisor if they can provide additional tools or resources, offer advice on managing the workload or adjust the deadline. Colleagues may also be willing to take over some of the work if you ask.

More than anything, don’t accept incomplete coaching. If the person you are asking doesn’t know or doesn’t have the expertise, don’t be afraid to ask someone else who does. This is about your growth.

4. Ask for Help

With your problem outlined and possible solutions in hand, it’s time to ask for help. How you ask has a direct impact on the outcome, and we’ve outlined some tips to ensure you ask in a professional, respectful and meaningful way.

• Be transparent: Offer context and information surrounding your question so the person can fully understand your situation and better assist you. Don’t be afraid to admit that you feel uncertain about your work—clear and open communication can help your supervisor listen to your ideas, problem-solve with you and provide the encouragement you need.
• Be specific: Be as specific as you can with your request without offering an overwhelming amount of information. Provide any options you’ve thought of or additional information you’ve learned from digging to make it easier for them to help you. Focus on talking about one task at a time so you can go into greater depth. Remember the acronym KISS—Keep It Simple and Specific.
• Be respectful: Uphold your professional reputation by being polite and respectful when asking for help. Choose an appropriate and convenient time to meet up based on their schedule, and highlight that their help is optional but greatly appreciated. Thank them for their effort and time when you’re finished talking.

Example Scenarios and Questions

If you’re struggling to find the right words or way to ask for what you need, here are three scenarios and the questions we suggest asking.

If you are totally new to a task, lack confidence and find yourself unsure where to start:

• “This is my first time doing this task, and I don’t want to slow the process. Could you explain it to me?”
• “Who is the best person to help me get started?”

If you are new to a task and excited about it:

• “Can I ask a few questions before I begin?”
• “Can I show you what I’ve done so far and get feedback?”

If you have experience, but for whatever reason, remain unsure or uncertain about your task:

• “I know how to do this, but I’m still struggling to get it done. Could we talk the assignment over?”
• “I wanted to talk with you about a couple of options I came up with — do you have a moment?”

Overcome the Fear of Asking for Help

While asking for help is nerve-wracking for most, some people may feel extra nervous or outright scared to approach others for help. This is completely understandable and normal—you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position where you’ve admitted to not knowing something. But asking for help is a vital part of being a team player, growing your knowledge and skills, and ultimately becoming a better person and leader.

The most important thing is to realize that your fear is natural, and most people are incredibly willing to help others when they ask. The worst thing that can happen is they say they can’t help, and then you can move on to another person or attempt to resolve it yourself. Not asking can result in far more negative consequences—like making a mistake or missing a deadline—which will impact your work and the success of the business.

If you’re still nervous about requesting help at work, practice asking people you’re comfortable with. Observe how other people ask for help in your work environment and try to emulate them. You can even open up to your colleagues about your fear and ask them for advice. They’ll probably love the opportunity to connect with you over something they’ve likely experienced as well.

The Impact of Asking for Help on Personal Growth and Development

We’ve mentioned that asking for help can help you learn and grow, but understanding exactly how it accomplishes this can help you see the importance of the act and encourage you to do it more often. When you ask for help at work, you’ll see the following benefits:

• Improved work relationships: By asking for help, you’ll interact with your colleagues more and promote the practice of working together. You’re also acknowledging their strengths, which can boost their self-esteem.
• New skills: Asking others for help will net you advice, new information and ways of doing things you never knew before. These skills are incredibly beneficial to help you succeed and get better at your job.
• Increased efficiency: Your colleagues and managers may have more experience than you, and by asking for help, you can tap into what they’ve learned and apply it to your own work. You’ll find you can do things faster and more efficiently with their insights.
• Confidence: Feeling insecure and unmotivated will take its toll on your confidence levels. By asking for help, you can overcome your challenges and feel more competent in your position.

Note that progress isn’t linear. It’s OK if you get into the swing of things, find your footing and excel, but then find that you’re uncertain again. You may temporarily lose motivation or don’t have the necessary expertise to complete a new task. That’s a part of learning. Each new task will demand this growth journey, and even a familiar task can challenge you to level up your skills. The most essential factor is having the self-awareness to know your weaknesses and reach out for the information you need.

Whether it’s your first job or you’re on your way to stardom in your career, this ebb and flow of knowledge, skill and willpower will continue with each task you do. And you’ll learn to move with it.

Interested in Learning More?

Learning how to ask for help is just one way of becoming an effective leader. If you’re interested in leveling up your skills even further, consider taking a course or workshop at The Center for Leadership Studies. We offer many public, private, online, virtual and blended training opportunities centered around our Situational Leadership® Model. It’s the world’s most widely recognized leadership model, and 70% of Fortune 500 companies use it to improve their leadership abilities.

You can enroll in our Situational Performance Ownership^® course to learn more about taking a proactive approach to your development by identifying and communicating your performance needs. Contact us today to get started!