24 Other Ways to Ask "How Can I Help?" (and Actually Get a Helpful Answer)

Overview
This article shares 24 alternative ways to phrase the question "How can I help?" so that leaders receive actionable and useful responses from their teams. It explains why the classic phrasing often backfires and provides concrete alternatives that encourage specific, solution-focused feedback.

Key Takeaways

• The generic "How can I help?" can lead to vague answers or no answer at all.
• Reframe the question to focus on specific problems, outcomes, or constraints.
• Provide context or examples to guide the response.
• Use open-ended yet targeted prompts to surface hidden obstacles.
• Follow up with clarifying questions to keep the conversation productive.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers looking to improve one-on-one conversations.
• Technical leaders who want more actionable input from their teams.
• Coaches and mentors guiding developers and senior staff.
• Anyone responsible for facilitating effective teamwork.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• None