Helping Hand

I find it fascinating how in sports emerging & elite athletes alike are both willing to seek & offer advice without much hesitation.

For instance, it's common practice in cricketing circles for a cricketer, whether at the college or national level, to ask for advice. Sometimes the advice is about the technical side of the game, but often it is about mental adjustments needed to perform in different settings. Equally, there are numerous instances when a senior player, even from the opposition, walks up to a fellow player (post game) to share tricks of the trade.

Yet, on the work front this sharing of knowledge isn't as widespread. We are often hesitant in reaching out and seeking perspective, especially from those outside our network, wondering how we would be perceived. Equally, at times, we are reluctant to share perspectives - viewing an outreach either with suspicion or believing it to be unworthy of our time.

Next time we seek a different perspective, it's worthwhile to reach out. The worst that may happen is you won't get a response. But if you do, it may change the direction of your thinking & maybe even career. And, when someone reaches out to you, take that step to lend a helping hand....your perspective maybe much more valuable than you think!!!