Sometimes, even if you have support, it can be difficult to ask for it. Many of us are ashamed when we need to ask others for their help. You might feel that you should be able to do it on your own. Just remember, asking for support is a sign of strength. It means that you know your own limits and are using all the resources available to you to be the most effective advocate possible.
In case asking for help doesn’t come naturally to you, here are some tips:
-
Be specific: It’s important that you’re very clear about what you need. Often, people are more than willing to help, but aren’t sure what you actually need. If you’re too vague, they won’t know what to do or might overstep boundaries. Assign them a specific task and be very clear about what’s involved.
-
Make it personal: Explain why you’re asking them specifically. Do they have a particular skill set that makes them the best person to help you with this task? Let them know why you’re asking them, and what it would mean to you.
-
Be assertive: When you’re asking for help, it’s common for your passive voice to sneak in. You might become apologetic or minimize your needs, saying things like, “I’m so sorry to ask,” or “I hate to ask you this.” It’s important not to minimize their contribution, and for them to feel positive about their contribution.
-
Follow up: After they offer help, make sure you thank them, and even more importantly, let them know what the impact was. If their help has a positive result in your advocacy, let them know. They will feel great about having helped you achieve your goal.
