Are You Stealing the Joy?

I often hear from HR leaders that they don't want to burden their teams with their own "stuff."

I get it.

And I agree that it's probably best not to be a hair on fire leader who presents as a total mess.

There's a balance of bringing your humanity and being a leader that people can look to for a sense of ease, especially during uncertain times.

But I've noticed a tendency in myself and others to refuse help from our teams, perhaps when we need it most.

And we do it as a way to protect them.

To not put an undue burden on them.
To push through on our own.
To be strong.

The truth is, when someone is genuinely offering their help and you decline, you may be stealing an opportunity from them to experience joy.

The joy of knowing they made a contribution and had a meaningful impact on you. You'll get the support you need while creating an opportunity for them to experience a sense of purpose.

So, make a commitment to yourself…

The next time someone asks "is there anything I can do to help?" say "yes."