There's A Difference Between Asking For Help And Being Helpless [Part 4]

Student leaders often don't ask for help because they feel like it makes them look helpless.

Does that describe you?

If it does, there is hope. There is a better way. There is a way to ask for help without using the actual "H" word. There is a way to ask for help that makes the other person feel valued, appreciated, special, unique, qualified, needed, and motivated to help.

I've come up with a few ways to engage someone in the big ASK!

We ask because we need help.
We ask because we want to get others involved.
We ask because someone can help us.
We ask because it's what leaders do.
We ask because we can't and don't want to do it all by ourselves.
We ask because it actually empowers others.
We ask because it shows others where there is an opportunity.

So try some of these ideas. Some of them are simply statements that you can lead with. Others are direct questions that ask for help.

• I've noticed you did a really great job on that project. What do you thing about doing something similar for us?
• We need someone like you on our team.
• When we started this project, I immediately thought of you.
• Would you be willing to partner with us?
• Would you be willing to take the lead on this?
• Could you recommend someone who is as talented as you who could assist us?
• You were recommended as someone who could assist us with this.
• If you were in my position what would you do?
• Do you want to be a part of something remarkable?
• I know you're overqualified, but can you give us a bit of your expertise?
• I know you're really busy, but can you give us an hour of your time?
• I know you're interested in making this the best year ever, can you jump on board this project?
• We just need one more person to make this thing a huge success.
• We'd all feel a lot better about this project if we knew that someone like yourself was on board with us.
• This is going to make a huge difference on our campus. I know you'll enjoy working on this.
• I've seen you do this kind of thing before. Can you show me how you did it so that I can how as well?
• Just imagine how great everyone is going to feel if we can pull this off. Don't you want to be a part of making that happen?
• Hey! Could you look at something for me? What do you think?
• I am useless in this area. Would you be able to do anything to help move things forward?
• You're the most (insert adjective here) person I know. And I'm looking for a (insert same adjective here) person.

What do you think? Are you ready to go and recruit the people you need to make your student leadership year the best ever? Don't just lay general invitations out there through mass emails or a flyer. Ask individual people...those whom you feel would do a great job. Help them see why they'd be great and what they'd get out of it.

It will take some discernment.
It will take some courage.
It will take some humility.
It will take some time.

But it will make you a better student leader. So go ahead and ask for help. It sure beats being helpless.

Read Part One.
Read Part Two.
Read Part Three.