I think this is a common occurrence in our personal lives, when we fail to ask for help or even accept the assistance that is offered. It happens frequently in our organizational lives too because we neglect to ask for the resources we need to make improvements.
A colleague shared a recent example: we had always obtained city visitor guides in increments of a few boxes at a time. We use about 20 boxes each year, but always picked them up in small, manageable loads. She called the chamber and asked if we could increase our inventory. Not only will they provide the full 20 boxes, they will even deliver them to us. For years, an employee has had to drive downtown and lug these boxes in -- and do so several times each year -- when just by asking the task is eliminated.
A similar thing happened after being locked out of the building's front entrance -- again! -- and needing to walk around the back of the building to the door where my key worked. I asked why we didn't have keys to the front side of the same lobby. The answer: because no one ever asked for it. It was a simple fix to re-core the front door to match the back, but saved many trips of frustration for all of us.
Sometimes asking can provoke ire or make you seem foolish. But sometimes asking can solve problems and provide you with enhancements to make things easier. Next time, take the risk and pose the question.
-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com
Thanks to Julie!
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