“What can I help you with?”
What a great question. It opens the door to learning, partnership, and collaboration.
Many years ago, when I was in a state of overwhelm, I called a friend to talk and in the process of doing so I broke down in tears. She patiently listened and when I finished word-vomiting on her, she asked, “how can I help?”
It was so simple. Liberating and at the same time I remember feeling undeserving of help, especially since I felt better just having had her listen.
She waited.
I asked her to take some things on in my company and she became my work partner.
Unwavering, service oriented, and a great partner.
In asking the question, doors opened, and my world changed.
Who could you be a solution for?