Two most powerful words: “Help me.”

Over the years I have heard many stories from entrepreneurs, students, news reporters, even my children, all telling me that they could not get someone’s attention they wanted or needed until they used the words, “Help me.”   The simple request is disarming, enlarging the object of the request to a status of importance in respect to the questioner that is difficult to ignore.

There is a bit of the teacher in all of us, and a request for help is a natural trigger to bring this out.  And there should be an equal – if not stronger – bit of a student in each of us as well, allowing us to drop our egos a notch and actually ask for help when we need it.  There is no shame in admitting ignorance in even the most unusual of circumstances.  Yes, this is true, even when we may think we know the answer in advance.

One of the many important tactics in negotiation is the strategic use of the words, “Help me,” when attempting to understand the position of an adversary.  Suddenly that person is in a position to explain the reasons behind a position, or facts that may not have been available to you, all in order to support his or her position.  Armed with those new facts, a good negotiator can often craft a solution that addresses those concerns and achieves the goals of both parties.

[Email readers…continue here.]  Reporters and students learn this early when they attempt to get the attention of a busy CEO or politician. “I am a student studying your industry for a term report.  Could you help me understand your issues so I can be sure to cover them in my research?”  There are an untold number of doors opened and hours spent by very busy people in response to such simple outreaches asking “Help me.”

Instead of hiding your ignorance about an issue in a discussion, a term used by someone on the other side of the table, a position taken by an emotional employee, stop and ask “Help me to understand.”   I’ll bet that nearly every time, the other person will pause and spend time teaching that would have been spent in persuasion.

How about asking for help when you do not know a process, the kind of help that might take hours or days of training, not just minutes of explanation?  A busy person hearing this kind of request may respond with: “I know of a book” or “Here is a resource,” or “Sure, you can sit in on our next training class.”  I have never heard an “I can’t do that for you” in response to a “Help me” request.

And far beyond a simple technique in negotiation or attempt to access a busy executive, these two words are the key to lifelong learning.  Who among us can’t use that?

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5 Responses to Two most powerful words: “Help me.”

  1. Subbu Murthy says:

    Dear Dave,

    A very powerful insight. I readily shared this with my colleagues at Braille. Not knowing what you don’t know is actually knowledge, and “Help Me” as you articulate in the blog is a means of acquiring that knowledge.

    Subbu Murthy
    Chief Information Officer
    Braille Institute of America

  2. Rick Munson says:

    Dave, I love your message…and all the wisdom, knowledge, and “practical experience” that supports this “simple but powerful” action. I have shared the message with the MSI team…in hopes that we all spend more time setting our ego and fear aside and “asking for help” when help is needed.

    In gratitude,
    Rick

  3. Dave, your advice on using ‘help me’ sounds good the way you present it; however I am still uncomfortable in diving in the water. I have an Advisory Board meeting tomorrow and I’m tempted to run with your advice. I do not believe it is so much about ego, for me it is possible mis-perception that a board will question an individuals ability to lead.

  4. Steve Reich says:

    This is a technique I use all the time. People are phenomenally generous with expertise and support if you just ask.

    And in response to Mark’s comment above–you can dramatically reduce the risk in the Board room by focusing on a single subject. A generalized plea for help can sound weak; asking your Board (or other individual/group) to focus on a solving a specific problem radiates confidence.

  5. Usually I don’t post on blogs, but I wish to say that this one compelled me to re-read it and do so!
    Your writing style is excellent. Thanks. Great post.

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