A mistaken assumption in leadership is that you have to solve every problem on your own. It can feel lonely when you are at the top of an organization. Many people assume you have all the answers. Your job is to provide clarity and direction for your team. You can still serve this purpose while asking for help.

I knew a leader who was fantastic at helping teams see the power in working together. He talked to my team and asked a simple question: Who is your “A-team”? Different people in the room would respond with their top performers in their organization. Once everyone had spoken, he said: “Nobody thinks the peers in this room are your ‘A-team’?” The point was obvious; we did not see each other as our first line of support. We were thinking in our own department silos.

I have a tendency to be quick to action; I want to solve problems and I often believe I know the right path. There are times when urgency is important, and in those situations, I move as quickly as is needed. In many cases I don’t have to act immediately. I have learned that I can make more informed decisions if I slow down a half step and look for input from others.

It could be I need input from a subject matter expert. Sometimes I gain perspective from talking to a colleague, mentor or coach. Cultivating a network of colleagues with whom you can discuss challenges or opportunities is an under-appreciated form of “sharpening your saw”.

I recall a colleague that leveraged a version of this tactic for his home improvement projects. He would come up with projects he wanted to do and would head to the nearest home improvement store. He would strike up conversations with the staff there and describe what he was trying to do and gauge the reaction. Did they think he was crazy? Was it something people did every day? These folks were his support network.

A subtle result of not asking for help is what it communicates to your peers and boss. This behavior can reflect a style of confidence. It can also reflect a ‘go-it-alone’ style that does not fit in some company cultures. What do you see from your peers and your boss? Do they ask for perspective and insight from others more or less than you? Do they expect you to be tapping resources they provide?

Asking for help is strength, not weakness.