Asking for help at the office is hard.  You don’t want to look like you’re passing the buck, being lazy, or admitting defeat.  But if you learn to ask the right way, you’ll not only get what you need, but you’ll also learn to look like even more of a team player!

Try, Then Pry

Make sure you actually need the help first.  It’s a firefighting analogy: If you’re trying to get into a burning house, try the door knob before you try prying the door open.  Try all possible solutions, even the most obvious ones.  It won’t always work, but you’ll want to be damn sure you know it doesn’t before your boss tries it herself.

Don’t Be a Martyr

While there’s definitely something to be said about trying to resolve an issue yourself first, torturing yourself for hours—or days—before finally admitting you need help is almost never productive.  The trick  is knowing when it’s time to suck it up, swallow your pride, and admit you’re stuck.  How about trying the “Three Strikes” rule?  If you can’t figure something out after exhausting at least three other solutions on your own, it’s time to admit you need some inspiration.

Find how else to ask for help here.