Last updated on March 16th, 2021

Forbes Coaches Council Top coaches offer insights on leadership development & careers.

Not everyone is comfortable asking for help at work. No matter how long an employee has been at an organization, they may still hesitate to request assistance from someone else.

This hesitation comes from a fear of appearing incompetent or inadequate by asking for help. Such a mental block isn’t easy to overcome, but leaders are positioned to help their staff get over this stumbling block.

Dr. Chris Allen, a Forbes Coaches Council member, shares her perspective on ways for managers, department heads and other leaders to reassure employees who are reluctant to ask for help by reducing the anxiety associated with it.

6. Remind Them That Asking For Help Builds Social Capital

Needing help is human, and social science research shows that asking other people for help is a good way to make a friend or to deepen a relationship, even with co-workers. Asking others for help is actually a better way to strengthen a relationship than doing a favor for someone else. So it can help a staff member to remember that asking for help is a way to build social capital in the workplace!

Read the entire article here.