The Habit of Asking for Help: A Key Strength in the Entrepreneurial Journey
In the popular image, the entrepreneur is often portrayed as brave, determined, and capable of overcoming any obstacle alone. This “lone hero” figure has reinforced the belief that business success relies solely on self-sufficiency — on the ability to handle everything without external support.
However, the reality is quite different. The entrepreneurial journey is demanding, complex, and often lonely. Trying to navigate it without support can become an unnecessary burden, slowing growth, increasing stress, and multiplying mistakes. That’s why learning to ask for help is not just a healthy habit, but a genuine strategy for success.
In this article, we will explore why asking for help is so difficult, what benefits it brings, how to overcome psychological obstacles, and how to do it effectively. We will also examine why this habit is especially important for the solopreneur — the entrepreneur who works entirely alone, without partners or employees.
“Asking for help is an act of service. Don’t deny the people who love you the honor of being there to support you”
The Trap of Self-Sufficiency
Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of self-sufficiency. From an early age, we’ve been taught that being strong means not needing anyone. In the business world, this idea is reinforced by sayings like “if you want something done right, do it yourself” or “true leaders don’t depend on anyone.”
The “do it yourself” culture becomes a badge of pride. But when transferred to entrepreneurship, it can become a dangerous obstacle. Trying to handle every area of a business — from accounting to marketing, from emotional management to innovation — is not only unrealistic, it also drains the entrepreneur’s energy and limits their results.
The most paradoxical thing is that even those who have teams or partners often resist delegating or asking for support. The tendency to demonstrate self-sufficiency becomes an unspoken rule, as if asking for advice or showing vulnerability were a sign of weakness.
The Wisdom of Asking for Help
Far from being a sign of weakness, asking for help is a demonstration of humility, maturity, and strategic vision. Those who ask for help acknowledge their limits, accept that they don’t know everything, and open the door to learning from the experience and knowledge of others.
The difference between dependence and collaboration is clear
Dependence means being unable to move forward without external support, while collaboration means integrating resources and talents to go further. Asking for help places the entrepreneur in this second category — those who understand that success is not a solo journey but a collective process.
Moreover, seeking advice, mentorship, or accompaniment not only benefits the business but also the entrepreneur as a person. Opening up to others strengthens resilience, develops empathy, and fosters trust — both in oneself and in the support network that is being built.
The Particular Case of the Solopreneur
For the solopreneur — the entrepreneur who works alone, without partners or employees — the habit of asking for help is even more crucial. Not having an internal team multiplies the sense of isolation and the weight of responsibility.
It’s common for solopreneurs to try to become “jack-of-all-trades”: designer, accountant, salesperson, strategist, and administrator all at once. In the short term, it may seem like a way to save money or prove capability, but in the long term, it leads to burnout and a ceiling on growth.
The solopreneur needs to deliberately build an external support network: mentors, trusted colleagues, networking groups, and professionals specialized in critical areas. Without such a network, the risk of stagnation and frustration is much higher.
But this lesson is equally valid for those who do have partners or teams. The tendency not to ask for help persists even within larger structures. Some leaders prefer to “carry the cross alone” rather than show vulnerability in front of their team. The result is the same: poor decision-making, emotional exhaustion, and a lack of genuine connection with others.
The Benefits of Asking for Help
The benefits of asking for help are numerous and touch both the professional and personal dimensions. Among the most important:
Saving time and resources: receiving guidance or delegating tasks allows faster progress and prevents costly mistakes.
Access to new perspectives: others see what we don’t; their insights can illuminate blind spots and open new opportunities.
Reduction of isolation: sharing challenges creates a sense of community that alleviates the loneliness of the entrepreneurial journey.
Leadership development: a good leader is not someone who does everything but someone who knows how to surround themselves with the right people.
Greater emotional resilience: feeling supported reduces mental load and helps sustain motivation.
Psychological Obstacles and How to Overcome Them
If asking for help is so beneficial, why is it so difficult to do? Several psychological barriers explain it:
Pride: the belief that “I can do it on my own” becomes a matter of honor.
Fear of judgment: worry that others will think we’re incapable or not up to the task.
Perfectionism: the belief that no one can do things as well as we can.
Limiting beliefs: associating vulnerability with weakness or failure.
Overcoming these obstacles requires conscious effort:
Change your internal narrative: asking for help doesn’t mean inability — it’s a smart strategy.
Remember that no one gets far alone: all great entrepreneurs and leaders have had mentors, allies, and support networks.
Start small: begin by asking for advice in a specific area or delegating one task. Trust builds step by step.
Accept constructive criticism: understand that feedback is a gift that allows improvement, not a threat to self-esteem.
How and Whom to Ask for Help Effectively
It’s not about asking anyone for help in any way. For it to be truly useful, a few guidelines are essential:
Identify the real need: what area of the business or entrepreneurial life requires support? Is it technical, strategic, or emotional?
Choose the right people: mentors with experience, peers from your field, specialized professionals, or even friends with an objective perspective.
Be clear and specific: explain what you need and how exactly the other person can help.
Listen actively: asking for help means being open to considering what others suggest, even when it’s not what we expected.
Express gratitude and give feedback: acknowledging the time and goodwill of those who help strengthens the relationship and encourages future collaboration.
A Habit to Be Trained
Like other entrepreneurial habits — such as self-discipline, planning, or emotional management — asking for help can be trained. It’s not enough to understand its importance; it must be practiced consciously until it becomes a natural part of one’s leadership style.
Some ways to train this habit include:
Setting a monthly goal to seek advice in at least one specific area.
Participating in entrepreneur communities where sharing doubts and learnings is normalized.
Hiring a mentor or coach and using that space to practice openness and receptivity.
Regularly reviewing business tasks and delegating those that don’t directly add value to the entrepreneur’s core role.
The myth of the self-sufficient entrepreneur needs to be replaced by a more realistic and powerful vision: that of the entrepreneur who knows when to move forward alone and when to lean on others. Asking for help doesn’t weaken — it strengthens. It doesn’t reduce authority — it amplifies it. It doesn’t diminish personal value — it enhances it by recognizing the wisdom of collaboration.
For the solopreneur, this habit can make the difference between burnout and sustainability. For those with teams or partners, it is the key to leading with authenticity and confidence. In every case, the act of asking for help reflects humility, intelligence, and courage.
The invitation is clear: think of one area of your business where you could ask for help today — perhaps in finance, marketing strategy, emotional management, or time organization. Dare to do it. You’ll discover that, on the entrepreneurial path, true strength lies in recognizing that we are not alone.
