When you need this
Asking a coworker for help feels harder than it is. Many people wait too long because they don't want to look slow, and a ten-minute question turns into a lost afternoon. In most offices, a clear, polite request is respected. What annoys people is a vague one, or one dropped on them with no warning.
A good request says how much time you need, what the problem is, and when you need it. "Could I borrow you for five minutes this afternoon? I can't get the chart to update" gets a quick yes. Offering help works the same way: be specific and leave room for a no. "Do you want me to take the Singapore calls this week?" gives Mei a real choice, and she won't feel she has to say yes.
Phrases
asks for a colleague's time, friendly and light
checks if someone can stop and help
says exactly where the problem is
asks someone to check your work or a problem
explain something step by step
a soft, polite way to ask for a favor
tells them they don't need to do it right away
offers help in a casual way
offers to do a task for someone
a general offer of help
thanks someone and promises to return the favor
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.