Asking for help

My three best friends came over on the weekend, armed with spinach pie, chocolate cheesecake and a non-pushy approach to breastfeeding.

Where midwives, lactation consultants and nurses had all failed, my school friends and I eventually lured Sebastian on properly with a mix of hilarity, patience and Lindt chocolate (for us, not him).

It may be the third time I've done this, but Seb is a first-time baby, and I'm all for asking for help instead of battling on for appearances.

Start today

We often face situations where we assume we ought to be able to manage a task because we're experienced or qualified, and expectations are high. We choose to flounder, because we're afraid of how it will look to ask for advice when we 'ought to know how to do this'.

Life is too short to struggle on behind the scenes, and most people are happy to help when they're approached.

The senior managers I have most admired in my career are the ones who openly ask questions and seek clarification when they don't understand something, no matter how it looks. Asking for assistance is a common trait amongst people who do their jobs very well. It saves a lot of time and leads to earlier proficiency in difficult tasks.

It takes strength to show your vulnerability. Ask for help and you'll fly over hurdles rather than tripping over them.