{"id":246348,"date":"2021-09-30T10:06:17","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T00:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herrmann.co.nz\/2021\/09\/energy-management-habit-6-ask-for-h-e-l-p\/"},"modified":"2022-03-28T16:07:02","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T05:07:02","slug":"energy-management-habit-6-ask-for-h-e-l-p","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herrmann.co.nz\/2021\/09\/energy-management-habit-6-ask-for-h-e-l-p\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy Management Habit 6: Ask for H.E.L.P"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article is a guest post from our partner Dr. Jay Chopra of <\/em>Making Shift Happen<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, we might be putting all these energy management tools into practice and still feel deprived of energy. This especially rings true for those of us who constantly experience high and very high levels of stress in our work environment. Sometimes, energy management tools simply cannot balance the sheer amount of stress we are under. So what can we do? Ask for HELP!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asking for help sounds easy at first, but when was the last time you asked for help at work? Let\u2019s be honest: asking for help is uncomfortable. Studies show that when we ask for help, the same brain regions that alert us to physical pain are activated. The social threats involved in asking for help are the risk of rejection, uncertainty, decreased autonomy, and the potential for diminished status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, however, asking for help can really benefit us and those around us. Experiments carried out at Cornell University show that the level of compliance (the rate at which people provided help after being asked for it) was, on average, 48 % higher than expected (Bohns).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another positive factor associated with asking for help are the emotional benefits for the person helping someone else. In their 2016 study, Park et al. established a neural link between generosity and happiness: when we help people, we ourselves are happier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next time you feel anxious about asking for help, keep these points in mind! According to the Harvard Business Review, estimates suggest that a staggering 75% to 90% of the help colleagues give one another is in response to direct appeals. Effectively asking for help enables us to reach our full potential while working with others. Our H.E.L.P. model illustrates the necessary steps to get the help you need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

H: H<\/strong>ave the courage to ask for H<\/strong>elp if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

E: E<\/strong>stablish who is the best person to reach out to for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L: L<\/strong>ink-In with them, ask for help & listen to their advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P: P<\/strong>lan what you will do post conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In doing so, make sure that you use the right language. Do not diminish your need by saying, \u201cIt\u2019s just a small thing\u2026\u201d or \u201cI feel awful for asking, but\u2026\u201d. Instead, implement words like \u201ctogether\u201d when seeking help, as it appeals to our sense of social belonging. You can also quote common goals and point out particular skills of the person you are asking for help, for example, by stating, \u201cCould you please review this report before I submit it? Your feedback really helped to progress our last project!\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing that is just as crucial as using the right language is not forgetting to follow up and thanking our helper. Including a \u201cThanks in advance\u201d as opposed to \u201cBest\u201d at the end of an email can increase the response rate from 51.2 % to 65.7 % (Boomerang). Showing gratitude and acknowledging our colleagues\u2019 work thus contributes to a positive work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many, asking for help is still a sign of weakness. We at Making Shift Happen, however, believe that acknowledging that we need help is a strength and skill that needs nurturing instead of dismissal and negative connotations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The advantages of asking for H.E.L.P are immense, especially when we have exhausted the benefits of the other energy management tools. While it requires courage and a certain level of vulnerability to ask for help, it builds trust and ultimately shows that we are all human. Never before have we gotten a glimpse into our colleagues\u2019 personal lives: we have met their pets and were guests in their homes during virtual meetings. We experienced first-hand the struggles that all of us go through while we work remotely, juggle homeschooling, and not least continue to be exposed to the all-encompassing threat of Covid-19. Keeping this sense of belonging and shared struggle in mind, incorporate the H.E.L.P strategy into your everyday work lives, and experience the benefits!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coaches Corner Action Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What actions will you take to take next time you need to ask for help?\u2014get started using these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n