For some leaders and owners asking for help is a given, it’s not so hard for them. And for many others it can be a struggle.

Here is what I typically see when I meet a leader or owner who finds it difficult to seek the help they may need.

• They don’t want to be an inconvenience
• They don’t know how to ask for help
• They don’t know what to ask for help with
• They don’t want to appear “weak”
• They don’t want to admit they “can’t”

Now, which one of these is the underlying issue might not be something this person knows right off the bat. When it’s difficult to ask for help, it can also be difficult to know why we struggle with it. But just like anything else, if we can identify the underlying cause and admit the elephant in the room, then we can move toward resolution. We can focus on uncovering the problem and moving forward.

Asking for help significantly enhances a leader’s effectiveness in several ways. Here are three to take into consideration:

1. Accessing Collective Intelligence: Leaders who seek assistance are open able to tap into diverse perspectives and a range of experiences from others. Different viewpoints, insights, knowledge, and expertise allows for more well-rounded decision-making and problem-solving, leading to more effective outcomes.
2. Fostering Collaboration: When leaders ask for help they demonstrate the value of collaboration and teamwork. This creates an environment that leads to increased engagement, creativity, and productivity. Involving others in the in this process encourages and empowers team members, boosts morale, and fosters a sense of ownership.
3. Developing Relationships of Trust: When leaders acknowledge that they don’t have all the answers and seek input from others, it demonstrates a level of humility and vulnerability and builds trust and rapport. It encourages open communication, innovation, and a willingness to take risks, all of which contribute to improved leadership effectiveness.

Asking to help also fosters learning and growth, and provides opportunities to build relationships and networks outside of the organization. So given all of that, it’s very worth taking the time to identify the underlying problem or concern that get’s in the way of asking for help.

Overall, asking for help as a leader is a strategic move that leads to improved decision-making, collaboration, trust, learning, and relationship-building. It enables leaders to leverage the collective intelligence and strengths of their team, resulting in increased effectiveness and better outcomes.