By Doug Strickel
I remember being a young leader and being reluctant to ask for help. I thought I was put in charge and that meant I was solely responsible for solving problems within the framework of my team.
Thinking back even before those days, I seldom asked for help. I would grind through obstacles in school, at work, or even with home repair issues not wanting to ask for assistance.
There was obviously some element of pride associated with the reluctance to ask for help. I am sure it had something to do with growing up in a single-parent home and doing a lot for myself (or for us) out of necessity. No one ever told me it wasn’t appropriate to ask for help.
However, there was a day when it finally hit me. I was at work and realized that I was limiting what we could do as a business. I was the ceiling to our success, and my pride was a barrier to us moving forward to create a more successful business and a more desirable work environment.
I sought help from counterparts that were better in certain areas and got advice from others with more experience. I visited other places, got ideas, and raised our ceiling. I realized that I was not responsible for being the source of every solution but rather was responsible for ensuring we found the solution.
Now that I focus my work on supporting individuals and organizations, I run into that same situation with others. So many are reluctant to get help when they are struggling. I have had so many people tell me that they would be glad to talk once they get to a better place or things settle down in their business or life.
The problem is that the very things causing them to struggle today are the things that need help, support, or assistance. So many people are so busy fighting through their issues that they won’t consider getting help.
This issue goes well beyond just the coaching services that I provide. Many of us could benefit from support. Relationships need support, marriages need help, students need someone to talk to, athletes need guidance, leaders need advice, and people need perspective.
This support could range from confiding in a close friend to engaging with a professional counselor. It could be hiring a coach, finding a mentor, or connecting with a group.
We don’t reach out because of our pride. We may blame it on finances, time, or any number of excuses, but it’s likely pride.
The Bible says a lot about pride. A few examples are that pride goes before destruction and that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
What issue are you too proud to ask for help? Is there something in your organization that outside assistance would help?
Is pride the secret enemy keeping you from moving forward?
Doug provides professional speaking and coaching services to organizations and individuals. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build a team culture, feel free to reach out to Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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