Work/Life: The importance of reaching out for help, and how to do it

By Todd Werkhoven May 8, 2020

On this episode of Work/Life, Ciara Pressler, author and founder of Pregame, talks with Greg Nibler about the challenges many of us face when it comes to asking for help in our business and personal lives. She looks into the reasons why you need to make it a point to ask people for advice and for help, whether it be for job recommendations, personal introductions, mentorship, and more.

Americans are raised with the mindset of individualism and making it on our own, but Pressler notes that “now more than ever, we need each other.” With unemployment being incredibly high right now due to the coronavirus, “more people than ever are looking for new jobs and new opportunities,” she says. Even those people who still have their jobs need things, including moral support, through difficult times. “Everything is easier when you have a crew of people or inner circle to talk through problems with.”

So how do we do that? Pressler says, “First, be very clear, concise, and direct. Ask for what you need, and don’t talk around the issue.” She continues, “A lot of times we can be vague about what we need,” which leaves it to the other person to decipher what it is you are actually asking for. Be direct, and ask for the specific things you need so that the person you’re asking knows exactly how to help.

On the other side of the coin, you may be asked by a friend to help with their situation. If that person has some difficulty giving you the specifics about what they need, ask more questions to clarify that need. This is especially important when talking in the realms of mentorship or sponsorship.

One more important aspect is knowing the value of the time you are asking of another person. Sometimes you’re asking that person for professional advice they may usually be compensated for, so know that you could be asking that person to give up something if you’re asking for free advice. And be sure to say “thank you” at the end of your discussions. “You want to leave on a high note so that person is willing to help out again,” Pressler says.

For more Work/Life, visit digitaltrends.com/business.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Todd Werkhoven's work can be read at numerous publications and he co-authored a personal finance book called "Zombie…

Business

Work/Life: Continuing education in a time of recession

worklife episode 18 worklifethumb

On this episode of Work/Life, Ciara Pressler, founder and author of Pregame, talks with Greg Nibler about the pros and cons of continuing education and going back to school during a recession and whether the potential benefits outweigh the monetary investment.

Pressler discusses the different avenues of schooling, from traditional universities to trade schools and online learning. “There are a lot of considerations before you jump back into education,” Pressler says. In this segment, she give tips and tricks for both identifying the goal you have and finding the best path to help you achieve it.

Business

Work/Life: The art and balance of effective self-promotion

worklife episode 16 worklife42420

On this episode of Work/Life, Ciara Pressler, founder and author of Pregame, talks with Greg Nibler about the challenges many of us face when it comes to the art of self-promotion. She looks into the reasons why you need to continue to self-promote, and how to do it in a way that isn’t, well, “gross.”

First, she notes, self-promotion is necessary “because no one is going to do it for you. You need to be your own best cheerleader and your best advocate.” Whether it's to expand your own business, or because you are about to reenter a job field that will be packed with other people looking for work, self-promotion is what will make you stand out from other candidates, and is your opportunity to “shout out your own accomplishments,” Pressler says. After all, nobody else will know about your skill sets and talents unless you tell them yourself. Simply put, she says, “you have to advocate for yourself.”

Business

Work/Life: Tips and tricks for upleveling your video conference game

worklife episode 15 featuredimage

On this episode of Work/Life, Ciara Pressler, founder of Pregame, talks with Greg Nibler about the challenges many of us are now facing as we work from home: How to look better on video calls. From lighting advice to getting your camera business-ready, she gives tips and tricks on making the most of your video conference calls, and how to remain professional even if you’re sitting at home on your couch.

First things first, says Pressler: “You need to eliminate distractions.” Background noise, pets, kids, and even other people working and conferencing from home can cause distractions to not just you, but the people on the call with you. “Be sure you’re in a quiet environment, because sound matters more than anything.” If they can’t hear or concentrate on what you’re saying, you may as well not be there. Your message should be coming across loud and clear, so speak clearly and loudly.