Do you ask for help? Many people rarely do, even when they need it the most. Why is it so hard to ask others to help us? Some people’s ego deprives them of the benefit that comes from asking for help. We see this in the stereotype of men not asking for directions when they’re lost, assuming the car has no global positioning service (GPS).
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s a way to display strength and a way to elicit collaboration. In fact, one of the most powerful phrases in all of life is “I wonder if you could help me with something.” This phrase breaks down barriers and enables anyone to easily ask for help.
Why does such a simple phrase have such a profound impact on people? The reason is that it feeds their egos and appeals to their good nature.
Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, the authors of the “Chicken Soup” series, wrote a book on the subject entitled, “The Aladdin Factor.” The entire book was based on this simple and effective idea: “Ask and you will receive.”
The powerful request is one that anyone can use, even with discipline problem. Rather than reprimand a child for something they’ve done, the adult merely says, “I wonder if you could help me with something…” and then engages the other person’s help to alleviate the problem. Since the person you are asking is the cause of the problem, employing this phrase is a noncoercive and very effective approach with which to start.
Tip: Rather than make discipline combative by reprimanding someone, make it collaborative by asking for the other person’s help.
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