职场上如何寻求帮助
How to ask for help in the workplace
刘立军 供稿
TRANSCRIPT
We all need help at work from time to time, but it’s not always easy to ask for it. You may worry about seeming annoying or incompetent, but seeking support isn’t a weakness. In fact, it’s often the difference between failure and success. Of course, you can’t ask for help all the time, so how do you know when you should? Start by asking yourself these questions:
Is it my responsibility? Consider whether the task in question is really down to you and whether you have the skills and knowledge you need to complete it. If the task belongs to someone else, tell them so, explaining your thinking clearly and politely. If in doubt, ask your manager.
What’s the timescale? If you need to do a job quickly, but you’re not sure how to do it, you’ll need to ask for help straight away. But, if you have more time, try to figure it out for yourself. Pause and consider your options before asking for help. Many jobs are easier than they first appear when you try and break them down.
Who should I ask? Consider your close colleagues first. People you know you can trust from your own team or your professional network. Then think about other people who have access to the resources, knowledge or skills you need. When you’ve chosen the best person to ask, pick the right moment to approach them. Avoid times when they’re obviously rushed or busy.
How should I ask? Think carefully about how you’ll phrase and structure your request. People will respond much better to a clear, well-defined request that outlines the issue and takes into consideration their availability and skills. Be confident as well. People are often happy to share their knowledge, and might even be flattered that you’ve asked, but, if you seem nervous, they may not understand the urgency and may be more reluctant to get involved. They might even be suspicious of your motives. Consider any questions they might ask and how you’ll respond to pushback.
Finally, show your appreciation. When someone agrees to help you, always say “thank you.” And, if it’s appropriate, consider ways you can either celebrate or reward them for offering their help.
If you get it right, asking someone for help can be as valuable for them as it is for you. It might be a chance for them to showcase and share their skills or to increase their confidence by teaching someone else. It can also help to create a culture of cooperation and collaboration where people are happy to share knowledge and find solutions together.
VOCABULARY
1. pushback n. 对计划、想法或变化的反对或抵抗。
2. showcase v. to show the best qualities or parts of something 展示...的优点；充分展示。例如：The main aim of the exhibition is to showcase British design. 该展览的主要目的是一展英国设计的风采。
QUESTIONS
Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.
1. What could possibly make people more reluctant to offer help when you ask for it?
A. You seem confident.
B. You seem nervous.
C. You are polite.
D. You provide a clear, well-defined request.
2. According to the passage, what should one do if they doubt about whether a task is their responsibility or not?
A. Try to figure it out alone.
B. Ask for help immediately.
C. Consult their close colleagues.
D. Discuss it with their manager.
3. When should you consider asking for help regarding a task according to the passage?
A. When the task requires skills that you don't have.
B. When you have plenty of time to complete the task.
C. When the task belongs to someone else.
D. When you feel confident about the task.
4. Why can asking for help potentially benefit the helper according to the passage?
A. They can avoid tasks they don't want to do.
B. They might showcase and share their skills.
C. They can push back questions they don't want to answer.
D. They can avoid being rushed or busy.
5. How should one express their gratitude after receiving help?
A. By by teaching someone else.
B. By saying "thank you."
C. By asking for more help.
D. By showing nervousness.
KEY
1. What could possibly make people more reluctant to offer help when you ask for it?
A. You seem confident.
B. You seem nervous.
C. You are polite.
D. You provide a clear, well-defined request.
【答案】B
【解析】细节题。命题出处在于文本中的："but, if you seem nervous, they may not understand the urgency and may be more reluctant to get involved." 根据这句话，我们了解到人们可能因为你显得紧张而更不愿意提供帮助。
2. According to the passage, what should one do if they doubt about whether a task is their responsibility or not?
A. Try to figure it out alone.
B. Ask for help immediately.
C. Consult their close colleagues.
D. Discuss it with their manager.
【答案】D
【解析】细节题。命题出处在于文本中的："If in doubt, ask your manager." 这句话说明，如果对任务责任有疑惑，应当向经理咨询。
3. When should you consider asking for help regarding a task according to the passage?
A. When the task requires skills that you don't have.
B. When you have plenty of time to complete the task.
C. When the task belongs to someone else.
D. When you feel confident about the task.
【答案】A
【解析】细节题。命题出处在于文本中的："Consider whether the task in question is really down to you and whether you have the skills and knowledge you need to complete it." 根据这句话，我们知道如果完成任务需要你没有的技能，你应该考虑寻求帮助。
4. Why can asking for help potentially benefit the helper according to the passage?
A. They can avoid tasks they don't want to do.
B. They might showcase and share their skills.
C. They can push back questions they don't want to answer.
D. They can avoid being rushed or busy.
【答案】B
【解析】推理题。命题出处在于文本中的："It might be a chance for them to showcase and share their skills or to increase their confidence by teaching someone else." 这句话表明，被请求帮助的人有可能展示和分享他们的技能，这是从他们的角度来看求助的潜在好处。
5. How should one express their gratitude after receiving help?
A. by teaching someone else.
B. By saying "thank you."
C. By asking for more help.
D. By showing nervousness.
【答案】B
【解析】 细节题。命题出处在于文本中的："When someone agrees to help you, always say “thank you.”" 这句话直接告诉我们，当有人同意帮忙时，我们应该说“谢谢”。
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