For adults · Work
At work
A colleague is struggling with a spreadsheet you know well. They have not asked for help.
What could you do first?
Three things you could say. None of them is the one right answer; each note says why it fits the moment, or why it may not.
Ask: "Do you want a hand with that, or would you rather work it out?"
A strong fit
It offers help and the choice to decline. Both answers are fine.
Say: "I know that one. Shout if you want help."
Also works here
An open offer they can take up later. It leaves the decision with them.
Reach over and fix it for them.
Worth a second look
Fixing it without asking takes over their work. They may have wanted to learn it.
What people here usually expect
- At work, unasked-for help can feel like a judgement. Asking first avoids that.
- Most people accept help when it is offered as a choice.
- "Shout if you want a hand" is a common way to offer and step back.
Your words
Write your own way of offering help that makes "no" easy to say.
In the app you write one line here and it lands in your lines. Nothing is graded.
The move this moment practises: Ask before helping.
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