One of the experiences I take my American Government & Politics classes through each semester is creating a list of traits that apply to someone being a great leader.  Naturally, the experience starts with students tossing out trait suggestions like: Good listener, Creative, Humble, Intelligent, Good Sense of Humor, and many other positive concepts. Then we discuss each trait in detail and rank those in major public positions in our country and State as to HIGH (5) or LOW (1) with regard to these traits.  But this week as we went through the exercise a young lady asked if we could add one more leadership trait to the list.  Of course, I responded yes… and let me say I am always so pleased and surprised when I have my own NEW learning moment!

She said: “I don’t know where or when I heard this but a Strong Leader Is One Who Knows When To Ask For Help.”

In quiet unison, all of her classmates proclaimed their support that this was the best trait of all!  And as any wise but proud and curious instructor would do… I asked them why?

• “Because no one is good at everything”
• “Maybe they are old and don’t understand younger people so asking for help… might help”
• “Yeah and they may not like technology much”
• “And they know if they get help they will know more”
• “Remember 10 brains are smarter than one”
• “It might help if others feel like the leaders want to include them”
• “Nobody likes a know-it-all”
• “Who knows by asking for help they might find the cure for cancer”
• “Most people really like to be asked to help”
• “I don’t think most leaders know when or how to ask for help… and that’s why no one even thinks about it”

I told them I was proud of them all… and that all of their “Why?” comments were great. Also, think… do the leaders in your world of work know when to ask for help? Do YOU ask?