Women In Leadership Series: Asking for Support Is A Strength Not A Weakness
· Do you find it hard to make requests or ask for support from your #network?
Women are often socialized to be good at looking after others, not putting themselves first and learning to be self-sufficient and not to ask for help. Meaning they are less likely to ask for things from their network.
When we don't ask for support, we are more likely to take on too much, burn out, and feel stressed and overwhelmed. We may also miss out on opportunities to learn, grow and progress our careers.
So how can we overcome the challenge of reaching out for support? Here are a few tips:
Challenge the negative messages you've internalized. Remind yourself that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength and self-awareness.
Practice asking for support in small, safe situations. This could be something like asking a friend to help you with a project or asking your boss for feedback on your work.
Build a support network of people you trust. This could includes friends, family as well as colleagues, or mentors.
Be specific and direct about what you need. Don’t beat about the bush. This will make it easier for the other person to know how to help.
Be open to receiving help. Don't be afraid to accept help when it is offered.
Be grateful. When someone helps you, be sure to express your gratitude.
· Join a support group for women. This can be a great way to connect with other women who are facing similar challenges.
Asking for support is not always easy, but it's an important skill that all women need to develop. By following these tips, you can overcome the challenge and get the support you need.
Remember, asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. It takes courage to ask for help. So don't be afraid to reach out. You deserve the support you need and people in your network are usually delighted to give it.
If you are reading this and you are a man, be an ally to the women in your network. Offer a listening ear and help when needed and be conscious that women often hold back from asking for help.
If you’d like to create clarity around who is in your network, and the quality of the relationships you have with people, then do reach out to me directly at mary@marygregory.com for my FREE Network Mapping Tool.