Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Why Collaboration Is Key to Career Success

In today's competitive professional landscape, there's a persistent myth that successful people achieve greatness solely through individual effort and self-reliance. However, the reality couldn't be more different. Career success is often built on a foundation of collaboration, mentorship, and knowing when to ask for help.

The Power of Seeking Assistance

Melissa, Chief of Strategic Communications at California High-Speed Rail Authority, emphasizes the critical role of mentorship in career development. She believes mentorship extends beyond formal programs, encompassing meaningful connections with experienced professionals who can provide guidance: "It doesn't always have to be very prescriptive, like you sign up to get a mentor," she explains. "It's people you meet throughout your career that you gel with, that you can talk to, who have been doing what you are doing for a little bit longer, and can provide you some career advice."

Melissa highlights the value of maintaining these relationships over time. Her mentors have supported her through various career stages, from professional challenges to personal transitions. "People that I have in my corner as my mentors and my champions... they each bring something different to the table," she notes. For instance, her Chief of Staff in the California State Senate helped her navigate the complexities of being a new mother while maintaining a demanding career.

Most importantly, Melissa believes in paying forward this support: "Find those people first, but then also be that for someone else. Pay it forward. It's really important work to be a champion for someone else."

Building Your Professional Support Network

Jessie, an Associate Project Manager at Adobe, emphasizes the importance of developing a strong professional network that you can turn to when facing challenges. "I think it's good to ask questions and to talk to people and have people on your side. And I think the thing that got me to where I am is through conversations with people. I was networking with the people on LinkedIn like no one's business."

Jessie's approach to networking wasn't just about advancing her career—it was about creating a community of support. She describes how this paid off during her initial job search and internship: "When it came time for the interview process, I all of a sudden had three or four people that were helping me with my decks [and] the cases for my interview... During the internship, I had a whole list of people that I presented my final presentation to. And now I have my people that I can go to if I have something coming up, or I need [someone] to talk to or bounce an idea off of, or [ask], what do I do in this situation?"

Don't Let Pride Stand in Your Way

One of the biggest barriers to successful collaboration is often our own hesitation to admit when we need help. Trent, an Account Executive at ZoomInfo, emphasizes the importance of being willing to ask for assistance: "I think the biggest thing that I've learned over my six and a half years in sales is to raise your hand when you need help. I will admit, I like to run my whole sales process... I like to control. I like to win and lose because of me. And I think what I've learned, especially here at ZoomInfo, is it's okay to win and lose as a team, right? Don't be afraid to ask for help. Raise your hand. Cause there are people that are smarter than you who probably have the answers, and that can help ultimately accomplish the goal that you're looking for."

Trent's realization speaks to a fundamental truth about professional success: no one succeeds entirely on their own. There's strength in collaboration and vulnerability in asking for help when you need it.

Practical Strategies for Effective Collaboration

Drawing from these insights, here are some practical strategies for leveraging collaboration in your own career:

1. Develop a diverse support network: Connect with people both within and outside your immediate field who can provide different perspectives and insights.

2. Be intentional about relationship-building: As Jessie demonstrates, proactive networking on platforms like LinkedIn can create a valuable support system when you need it most.

3. Shift your mindset about asking for help: Rather than viewing it as a weakness, recognize that seeking assistance is a strength that demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to growth.

4. Reciprocate support: Be willing to help others when they reach out to you, creating a culture of mutual assistance.

5. Learn from setbacks: Like Travis, an Account Executive at Route, try to avoid labeling experiences as simply "good" or "bad"—instead, look for the lessons and connections that might emerge from challenges.

   
   

Conclusion

In a world that often celebrates individual achievement, it's easy to forget that behind every success story is a network of supporters, mentors, and collaborators. As our professionals have shown, being willing to ask questions, seek guidance, and lean on others when necessary isn't just acceptable—it's essential for professional growth and success.

Remember: no one climbs the career ladder alone. The willingness to collaborate and seek help isn't a sign of weakness but rather a hallmark of the most successful professionals.

---

Want to learn more about how your specific background could translate into a career path? Visit us at Advize for more insights from successful, relatable professionals sharing real information to help.

If you ever want to reach out for help, advice or networking, shoot us an email at hello@advizehub.com or message us on Slack!

Wishing you success,

Emily McSherry

Founder & CEO