How can I handle being given a task outside of my comfort zone without support from my colleagues?
COO of Outpace
If you're ambitious and growing in your career, these situations are bound to happen. Learn how to approach these situations with confidence, and walk away with a sense of empowerment and growth in your role.
1) 📆 Schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss your concerns and ask for additional resources or clarification.
Example: "Hi XYZ, I was hoping to schedule a quick catch-up to discuss XYZ. I want to make sure I understand the expectations and have all the resources I need to complete it successfully.
2) ❤️ Be honest about your limitations and show your willingness to learn and grow in your role. No leader expects their team to know everything. What they do expect is that you're humble enough to admit when you don't know, and scrappy enough to learn whatever you need to help the team succeed.
Example: "I want to be transparent and let you know that this project is outside of my areas of expertise. I'm eager to learn and take on this challenge, but I may need more guidance on XYZ."
3) 🗣️ Suggest alternative solutions or enlist outside help from a mentor, coach, or expert at the task.
Example: "I was thinking about reaching out to XYZ for their perspective on this task or potentially to enlist as support. Would you be open to that, or do you have any other suggestions for resources I can use to upskill and deliver the best results?"
Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness. As long as you are leveling up, there will be more to learn and more that you've never done before!
As I'm building means I'm constantly learning new things, whether it's the best practices for pricing strategy or new tools to implement that will streamline operations. Just because I don't know the answer straight off the bat, doesn't mean I won't be able to succeed. Knowing when to ask for help is critical as a leader.
Getting support is actually a demonstration of strength and determination to succeed at your growing responsibilities. Embrace the opportunity to learn and grow in your role, and don't be afraid to ask for help when needed.
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