How To Ask For Help And Get It

I need your help. My company, The Cru,? launched an equity crowdfunding campaign for Women’s History Month. For the first time ever, we’re making an investment in The Cru accessible to anyone who can contribute $100 or more. You can join the ranks of venture capitalists and angels who have already invested traditional capital.?Our mission is to help women meet their life goals, whether their ambition is to get a promotion, pay off their student loans, or start a meditation practice. We partner with their employers to provide them an accountability circle and access to the experts they need to make their dreams a reality. If you’re reading this, you probably know that my life's work is advancing women and girls. I’m confident that if you invest in The Cru and in my leadership, the world will get a return.?This March, I’m asking you to invest in The Cru and make women’s history. Will you join me? If your answer is yes click here.

See, that wasn’t so bad.

Here are my Top 4 tips for getting what YOU need:

#1 Get to the point.

Have you ever tried to ask someone for help, but you end up talking without ever actually asking the person for what you need? This can?manifest as Imaginary Delegation when you assign someone a task in your mind but you don’t ever tell them.? To avoid this dynamic, I begin every conversation about needing help with the same four words: I need your help. Why? These four words commit me to making the ask. Even if I chicken out or go on a frustration tangent and forget, the person will eventually say, “You said you need help. What do you need help with?” Don’t bury your headline.

#2 Assume people want to help you.

The biggest reason why many of us struggle to ask for help is because we assume that we’re imposing on others who wouldn’t want to oblige. But research shows they actually do. A study by Stanford psychologist Dale Miller showed that we often apply a negative view when thinking about the self-interests of others. Yet most people are altruistic due to one simple fact— performing acts of kindness feels good. So think about it this way: you asking for and accepting help from others positively contributes to their happiness and overall well-being.

#3 Communicate your helper street cred.

One of the ironic characteristics I find in people who have difficulty asking for help is that they are usually the most generous and earnest individuals. They tend to deliver results, partly due to their aversion to disappointing others. Once you help them, the likelihood of them making a meaningful impact - in their family, with their team or as a community member -?is quite high. When I'm hesitant to ask for help, I remind myself that my purpose on this planet is to make a difference. As I frequently say, "My life's work is advancing women and girls," which signals that supporting someone who will pay it forward is a wise choice. Remember, people helping you isn’t charity. It’s an investment in your human potential and society.

#4 Know your success is a team sport.

I founded The Cru after hundreds of?conversations with women in which I observed that we often perceive our personal and professional journeys as solo endeavors. When we have a problem we first ask ourselves, “How am I going to solve this problem?” But the more important question for all of us to ask is “Who is going to help me solve this problem?” According to research by Kayla Good, many people resist asking for help because they fear it makes them look weak or incompetent. Children as young as seven have been conditioned to believe this.? But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the?vulnerability required to ask for help reflects your courage and confidence. Plus, it’s just plain pragmatic.? Instead of pushing a boulder uphill alone, make your success more Like A Feather by requesting assistance.

Oh and one last ask: I need help. Please share this newsletter issue and The Cru's investment opportunity with as many people as you know. ??