What do we do when we have an issue or a challenge we can’t solve by ourselves? We usually turn to our trusted friends, mentors, and advisers and ask for their help. This willingness to be vulnerable and ask for help isn’t always easy to do and is not gender neutral behavior. If we put aside the joking about men being unwilling to ask for directions when lost, we find that scientific research on help-seeking behaviors validates fact that men seek help less often than women and under-utilize medical and mental health services. In the work setting, women’s willingness to show vulnerability and seek assistance when necessary can be viewed as a double-edged sword. While collaborative behavior is highly valued and often identified as a strength that women bring to the workplace, asking for help may not be viewed as favorably in all work environments. In fact, asking for help may be interpreted as weakness, particularly by men in very traditional and male-dominated work-places. Working collaboratively, both offering and asking for help without being perceived as either too strong or too weak and earning unwelcome labels in the process is a delicate balance that many successful working women learn to achieve.

In our roundtable, we can seek and offer help without needing to attend to any delicate balancing act. So, relish the opportunity and bring your real-life challenges to share and we’ll demonstrate the power of the collaborative process by working on solutions together and producing viable options from which to choose. We’ll address as many challenges as we have time for and make arrangements for more time or schedule an additional meeting if necessary.

Date: April 19th, 2013
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

About the Roundtable:
The Women’s Leadership Roundtable is an open forum for women, as leaders of themselves and others, to discuss relevant issues, build community and network, collaborate with, learn from, and support one another. It provides an opportunity for women to engage in thought-provoking discussion with other women and for their views and input to be heard. The Roundtable is an ongoing open event held on the 3rd Friday of the month from January through October in various Denver area locations provided by hosting participants. You are encouraged to attend as frequently as possible and bring your ideas, issues, and interests to the table.

Share Your Thoughts in the Comments Below:
Have you experienced a situation in the workplace where it is viewed differently if men or women ask for assistance?