Musings at Altitude

Lots of folks are asking for help right now, some because they really need something that you can provide and others because in the times of adversity or great challenge there is strength and comfort in numbers and there is always an opening for an optimistic voice.

For many of us there is a natural tendency to jump up and say, “Sure, I can help”!  And by jumping in to help, we add even more challenge and even greater adversity (at times) to the already tough situation that the one asking for help may have because we really do want to help when our questions just take more time and our help just adds to the chaos that may already exist.

If you’re good enough to be asked to help, you automatically want to help.  But your help may not be what that individual or that company needs at that time.

When asked if you can help, always in turn probe a bit further to see who would be the perfect person to provide the needed help and what that perfect help would be that is needed.

If that fits you or something you can provide, by all means jump in and give help.

If instead, what they need is something that someone else would be much better than you to provide, gently suggest that you’d love to help in any way needed, but suggest they dream big and go get that one perfect person to add that perfect skill or that perfect experience to their mix.  If you really want to help, then help then get that perfect person that really can help!

The last thing that most people need is someone that agrees to help that provides no real help at all.

PS.  It’s ok to say, “I’m not what you need right now.”  It’s definitely not ok to say, “I’d love to help”, and then do nothing that does help.