Volume XXI, Number 42 (Issue 1046) October 16, 2023
Raise Your Hand If You Could Use Some Help
Looking at all the upstretched and outstretched hands, it appears just about everyone who is reading today’s missive is willing to acknowledge they could use a bit of help. I know I can. Furthermore, the areas and ways in which I could benefit from a helping hand are practically limitless. Whether it is in the areas of my relationships, work, lack of knowledge or understanding, or my glaring lack of patience, there are numerous places where I need some guidance, a helping hand, and more than a little grace. After all, none of us is perfect – our persistent efforts to make others believe otherwise notwithstanding. It is as if we are fast adherents to three old maxims, “never let them see you sweat,” “if you say it loud enough and often enough people will begin to believe you,” and “you can fool some of the people all of the time.” And therein lies the crux of the problem. You know it as that ugly five-letter word PRIDE, for it gets in our way on a regular basis.
In one respect, pride is a good thing. Afterall, pride summons forth our best efforts – which is a very good thing. If everyone was willing to stand behind their work from the greatest initiative to the smallest detail, imagine what impact that would have on the quality of what we touch, produce, and consume. However, when pride turns to unmerited hubris or it causes us to not seek the help and guidance of others, then it invariably results in problems. That is particularly true when we are closer to the start than the end of the learning curve.
In a recent Musings I made a quick reference to the challenge of working for a micro-manager. Few relish the experience of working under that form of microscope, or the other infuriating manifestation where the manager doles out guidance in drips and drabs so that one is perpetually in the dark awaiting the next instruction needed to move ahead with a task. Likewise, having a manager who boasts of their open-door policy is no less frustrating since most of us want feedback on our performance without having to beg for it; and, at the same time are reluctant to admit we are long on questions and short on answers. It is that stark duality when combined with the manager who does not invest in or trust their people or who thinks the lack of questions emanating from the troop is evidence of their effectiveness as a leader that contributor to workplace disfunction and inefficiencies. It is not a stretch to add excessive turnover to the list of issues bad managers cause.
Whether it is false or undeserved pride on the part of the teacher, the pupil, or both, or whether the problem is somehow bound up in other undesirable behaviors
on the part of the manager or a group of colleagues, the point is it is a sign of true bravery for someone to be willing to ask for help or admit they do not have all the answers. Each of us has much to learn and can only benefit from the added knowledge we gain when we ask and get answers to our questions.
So let me ask again, raise your hand if you could use some help. That’s better.
Soli Deo Gloria
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210)260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Web site: www.jkeithhughey.com
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Copyright 2023 by J. Keith Hughey. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for reproduction and redistribution of this essay as provided under the copyright laws of the United States of America. The entire early library of Monday Morning Musings issues may be found at www.jkeithhughey.com. Your comments are welcome and encouraged.