Research: When Help Isn’t Helpful

Research: When Help Isn’t Helpful

Asking for and receiving help at work can boost employees’ creativity, help them learn new skills, and strengthen their interpersonal ties. Yet a years-long study at a global design consultancy found that even in organizations with strong helping cultures, a significant portion of help is perceived as unhelpful. This is often due to nonspecific asks, a lack of accountability, and the potential of a charged aftermath. The researchers offer insigh…