Employee Achievement | Kritika Bandekar
A lot of us hesitate to ask for help when we are in dire need of it. Admitting that I am not able to figure out something and asking for help is perhaps the best lesson ever learned.
A couple of months back, my project colleague was on long leave and I had to handle the frontend part of the project all by myself. We had some change requests from the client, including a big high priority task, which required changes in most of the components, which I had taken up. I could do most of the task, except for a part of the code where I couldn’t figure out a solution. I tried all solutions I could possibly think of, but the issue somehow continued to persist.
I didn’t lose hope. “I need help from a senior!” was the immediate thought I had. I was afraid of being judged. How do I even ask for help? It’s so embarrassing! But I had other tasks to take care of as well and so I couldn’t waste any more of my time on this one. I mustered up all the courage I had and finally asked for help from a senior who had previously worked on that project. To my surprise, my senior willingly helped me and we could find a possible solution to the issue. I was so thankful for all the help. A couple of more changes and a few bug fixes later, ‘Bam!’ my code was bug-free and I could give it for testing.
This particular incident taught me two things: One, never shy away from asking for help. It doesn’t make you a weak person; rather it shows that you’re wise enough to take advice from a fellow person. The fear of being judged, being rejected, the fear of looking needy or weak should be done away with. We have to deal with the fact that not every time one can be perfect. I had decided that I’d always support anyone who asked me for help. Second, try and try until you succeed. The fact that I kept trying various solutions before asking for help makes me happy. Success does not come in the first attempt. You just cannot lose hope and you need to continue working.
I’m thankful that I’m a part of such an esteemed organization. Here I’m provided with guidance and help when in need, where I have supportive seniors, and where I’ve realized how determined I can be to achieve a task and not lose hope.
Have you ever had to ask somebody for help in order to achieve a goal? What was your experience?
