Gary Ong | August 9th, 2021

Accepting help is a skill. We readily offer our advice, our time, and our help to other people. Yet, how often do we readily accept help from other people? This might mean advice from mentors, a helping hand from employees, or emotional support from friends. So often, we push them away in the moments when we need them most.

As a founder, my habit is to hold up the world all by myself. I share victories with my friends and employees. Yet, I choose to suffer defeats alone. Employees and friends may offer help or offer to just be there in moments of defeat. But, I would push them away. I would put on the heroic front that is expected of founders as I traverse the path with gritted teeth. Coming out on the other side bruised and battered, I would then look around wondering where everyone was when I needed them most.

People are there if you let them be there. People will help if you let them help you. Don’t push people away. It is okay to lean on the people that are there for you. Trust that your problems and difficulties will not push the people around you away. They are there to help, and it is okay to accept their help. Don’t keep problems to yourself in the guise of heroic self sacrifice. Ask and accept help with gratitude. Then, pass the baton along and be helpful to others instead.