Dalitso Kasonde

Seeking Support & Offering Support

I have a healthy obsession with Adam Grant, His books especially, and a little bit of the podcasts. And I have read all of his books, and I recently read the book Give & Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.
It is just as important to give help as it is to receive it. To have a balance, we should be willing to offer support when we can and also be open to receiving assistance to help us not only grow but succeed

Offering Support
  • Helping others can drive our success. Building others is not just about helping them achieve their goals; it's also about growing ourselves. When we invest our time and energy into helping others, we positively impact their lives and benefit them in many ways.

  • We gain valuable skills and experience for sharing and giving. Suppose you mentor or train someone in your field. In that case, you learn new techniques or perspectives to apply to your work and create a network of people who provide valuable resources, advice, and opportunities. When we mentor or teach others, we think deeply about a subject, which can deepen our understanding. Additionally, by helping others to improve, we are also learning how to give constructive feedback and communicate effectively, which are valuable skills that apply in any setting.

  • Helping & sharing can lead to increased motivation, creativity, and productivity for not only the person sharing but also if the person you are helping is feeling down. Your support and help can be a motivation for them to carry on, which could have a positive impact on their lives. Building others helps us to find meaning and purpose in our own lives. When we see the positive impact that our actions have on others, we find a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that can be difficult to find in other areas of life. By building others, we also create a better world, which can inspire and motivate us.

  • We also build a positive reputation and good relationships. We build trust and respect among our colleagues, friends, and family by being supportive and helpful. Opening doors to new opportunities, as people are more likely to want to work with someone reliable and supportive. When we invest time and energy into others, we create a sense of trust and respect. Especially true when mentoring or coaching others, as we are helping them navigate challenges and achieve their goals. Building solid relationships with others also create a sense of community and belonging, which can be incredibly rewarding.

  • Helping others is more than just the right thing to do, it can also drive our success. By gaining new skills, feeling fulfilled, and building positive relationships, we can increase our chances of achieving our goals and finding success. By developing new skills, building stronger relationships, finding meaning and purpose in our lives, and growing our networks, we can positively impact others and benefit ourselves.
Seeking Support

We often focus on helping others and may find it difficult to ask for help when needed. However, it's important to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength. When we ask for help, we can build stronger relationships and achieve our goals more effectively.

  • Identify what you need. It's essential to be specific and clear about what you need, making it easier for others to understand how they can assist you. It's also necessary to be honest about what you can and cannot do so that you can ask for help in the areas where you need it the most.

  • It's essential to consider the person's relationship to you, their skills and expertise, and availability. It would help if you show gratitude & returning the favor or paying the help forward to someone else.

  • Communicate your needs clearly and directly. It's essential to be respectful and considerate when asking for help, as this will increase the chances of the person saying yes. It's also important to be open to feedback and suggestions, as this can lead to a more effective solution.

  • Be willing to accept help. Once support is available, it's essential to be open to and ready to take it. It's also important to express gratitude and remember how you can return the favor in the future.
Additional references & resources