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Hi, it's Michael and welcome to this week's useletter.
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It's the newsletter that's useful. Focussing on your future not my past.
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Why are we so bad at asking for help?
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That might describe you. That might describe someone you know.
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Who in your life needs support right now and isn’t asking for help?
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Someone you’re close to? Someone in your office? You?
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As leaders we work in support of others.
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We also need support ourselves.
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The thing is we can all feel ashamed if we’re not coping, or we’re stuck, or we’ve failed at something, or we’re feeling lonely, or we’re feeling overwhelmed, or we’re…
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So we don’t ask for help.
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It can feel vulnerable to ask for help. We’re worried how others might view us, or our own view of ourselves doesn’t allow space for relying on others.
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help takes as little as 8 minutes.
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Everyone can find 8 minutes in their week.
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PS: I’m currently offering discounted rates to my signature Leadership Workshops, please reach out if that's of interest.
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8 minutes
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I came across this idea in a recent Simon Sinek podcast:
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It’s an idea worth sharing.
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Simon relates the story of a good friend who’d he’d been shocked to discover had been in need of support, but he didn’t know. It turned out her ask for support was indistinguishable from her other messages. He resolved to never let that happen again. They established a framework whereby they promised to contact each other when needing help, and to “not cry alone”. Simon noted that 8 minutes is enough time to connect, communicate and to make enough difference to someone.
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8 minutes is short enough that most people can make a space for it in their week. Setting that boundary alleviates concern that the conversation might go for too long. Conversely, 8 minutes is still long enough to check in with someone. Enough time for genuine connection, good conversation and to flag any challenges that one of you might be facing at that time. In the event of substantial need, plans can be made for more time later.
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8 minutes creates a space for vulnerability (but not too much).
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8 minutes of connection is enough to help in many circumstances.
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“8 minutes”, sent as a text message became short hand for Simon and his friend. Shorthand for I need a chat, I need support, I need help.
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8 minutes is an easy ask.
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Do you know anyone that needs 8 minutes of your time?
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Do you need 8 minutes of my time? How can I support you? Feel free to reach out.
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PS: Whenever you’re ready,
there's 3 ways I can help.
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How to Save Time
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5 key strategies for finding more time in your practice day
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When speaking to countless architects about the challenges of practice, the singular and universal obstacle they all face is not having enough time.
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Saying No
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5 key concepts and strategies on saying no
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How many things have you said yes to in the last week or two and immediately regretted? Saying no is a skill. It requires emotional intelligence. And it can be learnt.
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Workshops to elevate your leadership
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Master a more creative model of leadership.
Build a more adaptable and efficient practice.
Unleash the collective energy, passion, and capabilities of your people
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Free 45 minute leadership clarity consultation
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recent useful blog posts...
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It might be time for the architecture profession’s leaders to starting learning form the ground up.
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There’s two main ways to stand out. Be different. or Be better. Copying is the route to unexceptional.
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Or…
do architects do too many of the wrong things?
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"Positive change results mostly from connecting more deeply to the people around you than by rising above them, from coordinated rather than solo action"
- Rebecca Solnit
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