“Please listen to me.”
”Please give me advice.”
”Please solve my problem.”

These three requests are not the same, but it’s easy to blur the lines. And many times, a conversation begins without a specific ask.

That can be confusing.

When we’re eager to help, sometimes — with good intention — we quickly shift into the mode that we feel is most helpful.

Pausing to ask, “How can I help?” might feel clinical, but (since we don’t always know what’s needed) it’s often the best way to begin.