It’s a curious thing…
People can be remarkably resistant to help: I suppose we all are, depending on the subject. “Help” can take us into painful contemplation, addressing issues that we might prefer to avoid—or at least put off to another time.
Perhaps that’s why “threatening” someone or a group with help can be so effective. Suddenly, when there is a real possibility of someone else getting involved and perhaps setting the pace and the agenda—taking the initiative away—we find it within ourselves to make a start; to tackle the issues we need to tackle.
Sometimes, I’ve been the “help” that is threatened. I don’t think I’m that scary but, even so, some people would rather take the suggestion as a prompt to galvanise themselves into action—independently.
Where are you on this…
Are you the help that is threatened?
Or are you being threatened by help?
Or do you put your pride aside and accept additional expertise into what you’re doing?
Or maybe you’re a leader using the threat of help to get others to take action, even if that isn’t what you originally intended.
Whichever of these apply, it’s a powerful effect.