The Real Strength of a Developer: Knowing When to Ask for Help

Hey everyone, Dan here.

Today, we're tackling a topic close to my heart — the misconception that seeking help is a sign of weakness. Let's break that myth and explore why admitting defeat and asking for assistance is actually one of the smartest moves you can make in your tech career.

Strength in Community

During my three years as an instructor at a coding bootcamp, mentoring over a thousand students, I saw firsthand that coding isn’t a solitary pursuit. It's a team sport. The students who asked for help consistently outperformed those who didn’t. Period. We used to call it “struggling in silence” when someone wouldn’t ask for help, and it was always disheartening to see someone struggle for days on something that could have been resolved in minutes.

The Heavy Cost of Going In Alone

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to solve every problem on your own. This mindset, however, comes with significant drawbacks:

• Stagnation: Have you ever found yourself stuck on a problem, spinning your wheels? That's what happens when pride dictates your actions. Avoiding help keeps you stuck and halts your progress.

• Isolation: Flying solo might seem appealing, but it can lead to missing out on valuable connections and insights from others in the field.

• Errors Galore: Tackling everything alone sets you up for a rough ride. Many mistakes could be easily avoided by simply reaching out.

Here’s what you gain by embracing the power of asking:

• Accelerated Learning: Engaging with more experienced developers, asking questions, and overcoming obstacles quickly enhances your growth. It's about improving, not just scraping by.

• Community Power: Being active in developer forums or local meetups connects you with a support network that is incredibly valuable.

• Creative Solutions: Collaboration often leads to discovering solutions you might never have thought of on your own.

How to Embrace Asking for Help

Ready to let go of the 'lone wolf' act? Good! Here’s how to start:

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Believe that improvement is always possible. Focus on learning and growing, rather than just proving what you know.

2. Normalize Asking for Help: Start with small requests and gradually take on more. Turning asking into a habit removes the fear associated with it.

3. Seek Out Mentors: Find people who have been where you want to go. Their guidance can be invaluable, and their insights can accelerate your progress.

4. Engage Actively in Communities: Dive into the developer scene. It’s filled with opportunities to learn, share knowledge, and even make some friends.

5. Celebrate Your Wins: Reflect on the times when asking for help has led to success. Let these victories remind you of the effectiveness of reaching out.

Conclusion

Being an outstanding developer isn’t about doing it alone; it's about knowing when to ask for help and having the courage to do so. Drop the ego, embrace collaboration, and watch your growth accelerate.

Remember, the smartest people are the ones who know they don’t know everything.

Keep hacking,

Dan