Ask Adam Savage: When to Ask for Help on a Job
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- In this livestream excerpt, Tested member John DuMontelle asks Adam, "How do you know when you are out of your depth on a job and must to ask for help instead of struggling through it?" Adam's been there; here's his answer! Thank you for your question and support, John. Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam a question:
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I've heard the story about the failed ATM student project several times. However, this is the first time he answered the question I always had - did Adam and his friend make amends? I'm really glad to hear the relationship was repaired. Thanks for adding that bit.
When he tells the story its always about his failing, but it seems like he also phoned it in which he never explains. I hope we hear those details someday.
@@skezus Yeah, as he seemed very green at the time, I'm guessing he underestimated the amount of work that the project required, and didn't get nearly as much done in the first half of the project as he should have. Then when the size of the task finally became apparent, that's also when those nasty roadbumps that always come up appeared. Then, when rushing to catch up, things started to fall apart like he mentioned in the video.
Just my guess though.
does seem like specific details vary wildly. Like i dont think i heard of the saloon doors (i've never seen an atm in a private room, just side of building or side of hallway), the screen/programming, nor that the room ejecting from a building was explicitly gonna require small and large scale. But i think i've only heard the story 1 or 2 other times, maybe i've missed a few renditions.
@@juliettaylorswift the room ejection was a different film that he did not work on.
@@thirdspacemaker9141 I know they were 2 different ones, and that the room he bid on and then was ghosted. Thought he always told those 2 stories together tho, this the way I referred them
I think your story of failure can serve as a lesson to anyone who is suffering through any sort of failure. Acceptance and the willingness to learn and change is key. Its not unlike a criminal or an addict who has harmed someone. An apology won't make it better. All you can do is move forward, having learned from the experience. As a human it's one of the most humbling and powerful things you will ever go through.
What an incredibly touching moment from you, and an incredible life lesson. And you can really see how much that impacted you. Thanks for sharing, Adam.
Good to see that side of you Adam. We all probably have a moment or two like that. Stay well.
Adam has been such an inspiration to me for a whole decade now. As I type this, I'm wrapping up the first season of a new Disney+ TV series as a carpenter, riding on the back of everything I've ever learned from Adam.
Thank you Mr. Savage for being you. It would be an honor to shake your hand some day.
THIS is the most pure human emotion I have ever seen on a UA-cam video. You can tell this failure REALLY affected him to his soul, even though he learned from it and repaired the friendship he lost. Bravo Adam, Bravo
My second job was as a receiver in a store, and I was the only one in the department, and my boss intentionally force fed me this lesson by not letting me ask for help at all on my second week on the job, and I quickly became overwhelmed, and the whole point was to show me what happens if I try to work out of my capabilities without any help.
As a software developer this is so true. It's too easy to bite off more than you can chew, and get stuck in the mindset "I can work my way out of this". Because when someone does help, it's humbling how some task that would take forever to figure out, can be so trivial for someone else.
especially if you know someone has done something similar - sometimes they have some things done already that can help you not have to reinvent the wheel
I remember Adam mentioning this event in his book and I always wondered if he ever was able to go back and at least make amends. I love that he was able to. Because that sounded like a pretty brutal end to a friendship.
I listen to this story and every time I hear it, my heart aches for you because I can still hear the regret in your voice.
I love this story, ive heard him say it before and it moves me so much, Adam tells it in the most unflattering and honest way, its one of those stories that really makes you think
Baring your soul with that story Adam, thank you for your story and your honesty, I have been there.... not knowing, but with great confidence that knew what I was doing, when actually I had very little experience, and knowhow... I have learned so much with many failures. thank you for this episode.
The "I got this" feeling was present when latest repair to the van started. However thankfully I have already learned the hard way when I'm out of my league to ask for help. After an hour of looking under the van knew I'd need more experienced friend.
That's a powerful story. The point about uncertainty is true. When I ask someone I'm supervising if they know what they're doing on a task. The answer that worries me the most is when they say "No problem. Piece of cake."
Yeah, and don't be afraid to let a boss or client know your limitations and weak points, it feels like this would make them think less of you but more often than not I've gotten very positive feedback when I voiced concerns of my limitations, it makes them respect you and trust working with you. And if they chose to not hire you then it was probably for the best anyway.
I really needed to hear this today. Thank you!
That was a great answer...there is a lot of knowledge in this video. 👏 🙂
Having said that...I'm waiting for the "But I really did have food poisoning, Larry" t-shirts. 😀
The lesson of asking for help is so huge. So many times a person can feel like they have to prove themselves on a job or they have to meet certain expectations and so push themselves beyond what they are capable of in order to try and meet some standard that they probably fabricated themselves. I can definitely remember myself in those days of trying to do too much and finally getting to the point where I had the confidence to know my limits and when I needed help and know when to delegate to others was such a huge moment in my career and really in my life.
Thanks for sharing!
There's nothing more powerful than an accomplished and respected person remembering a moment of personal failure in an honest and humble way. Thank you for that. On the advice of having to learn when to ask for help, I'd offer another perspective. Artists tend to be the center of their own process. They use that process like a super-tool to design, build, etc. As problems pop up, as they inevitably will, they roll with it and problem solve mostly as an added process. Non -artistic managers (who have a little experience) don't do it this way. We resource plan, time manage, and work to deadlines as a set of processes wrapped around artistry, talent, and a little whip cracking. The non-artistic version builds the "asking for help" into the plan. You have to be realistic about your capabilities and consider yourself as one resource of a set of resources. Plan logically and then add 20% more time to everything. Set milestones and TRULY and honestly evaluate all along the way. You're not late when the deadline passes. You're late when you miss your first milestone. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Personally, I don't use creative people to manage processes. Let them do what they do, but a true task master / project manager is worth their weight in gold, especially if they understand other's worth and can build a plan that capitalizes on those talents. I suspect Adam isn't really a "project manager" based on his answer. No disrespect intended. I'm betting he has a process where he locks himself in a room and builds amazing shit, which is awesome. But you can learn to properly staff a project without having to learn it the hard way. Just pay attention and learn from all the little problems and you'll be okay. Just my two cents.
I really appreciate your honest vulnerability sharing this story. You'll always be one of the most inspiring people in my life, just for being such a kind and genuine person.
His father's comments about trying to learn what he did wrong and what he will do differently next time... I was taught that there are two types of failure, Failure and True Failure. Failure is the mistake you initially make. It is Human, and necessary as part of the creative process. True Failure is not learning the lesson of the Failure to prevent it from being repeated.
Thanks again for these live streams, always fun and really learn a lot of tips and life lessons from them!
Ironically, this is still fresh to me. Not long ago, this kind of drama and pure anguish happened to me, and I will never be able to go back and change things. but its as u learned those many years ago, and as how i have come to learn, we have to move on. accept our defeats, learn from our mistakes, and pray that we never ever make them again. I know that there are others out there who have been through the same, but as i can now call myself as someone who has been through the lowest of lows in my life, all of us who endure through and move on are stronger for it.
My biggest and most fundamental learning gained when starting as a project manager and getting involved in managing delivery resonates with 'no one expects you to solve all the problems by yourself, except you."
I almost derailed a critical compliance project thinking I had to solve it all by myself.
I did a software job, and I was feeling pretty confident. My boss had warned me before about coding "too fast" and it was in through one ear, out the other. On this project I was assigned to it cus I was "fast"....
The whole thing was a disaster from start to finish. The worst part was when I was so stressed and overwhelmed I sent a nonescence email with no attachment and my boss spoke to me and was like "What even was that?? You need to check things before you send it!" He wasnt just talking about the email, he was talking about everything.
He was 100% correct, I was moving "too fast"
Learning to recognize your limitations and asking for help is the first step. Having a mentor to refer to and the mentor knowing when you need help and when you need to buck up, put up and show up. Bravado will take you only so far! Learning WHO you can ask is also important!
I don’t know how many times I’ve said this on various Ask Adam videos, but I could listen to Adam ruminate and speak on these things 24-7 and never tire of it. The whole “If you could have dinner with three people?” question? Adam would absolutely and without hesitation be at my table.
What a great video, I sat my 10 year old down and made him watch it twice. Should be required viewing in school.
Twice. I hope your son appreciated the second view. And his dad had the patience to talk through the implications with that son.
Watch the talk "importance of failure" by Savage at TAM.
I am amazed at how good quality questions are still being asked by the Tested viewers. At the start of the epidemic I thought "hey Adam could totally make a book of these questions and longer and thought through answers!" But now there are probably too many good questions for a single book. Still would want that book series though.
Good Questions 1, AND Good Questions 2 ....
Those moments are really really hard. A thought: would Gabby be willing to talk about that hard moment with you and talk about asking for help from the other end? It could help newbies in any field get a better grasp on when leaders want them to stumble and try and when to say 'uncle' and ask.
I was just thinking that, it would be a fascinating story from the other end.
I feel like this should have way more thumbs ups, this advice is solid.
I have problems asking for help though so this topic was made for me.
Touching honest story Adam. Bravo.
I get so much inspiration from you Adam and I know more about why that is everytime I listen to you... thank you 🍀
I could hear in your voice the tragedy and it is the sage in you that warns us of it. It really isn't easy. My own experience deeply resonated with yours.
I can't say I haven't done anything that wrong. But boy, does everyone get one of those stories if you put yourself out into the wilderness in the discovery of self.
But instead of beating yourself up with that memory, know that you did the single best thing any one of us can do. You learned from it.
It happened to me once around a couple of years ago that I took on a job that I didn't know I couldn't handle but thought it would be easy. Thankfully my supervisor realized that about two third of the way in, and he himself offered to help me out and corrected a lot of my mistakes. the worst part was I had given a couple of somewhat costly production orders and those parts where mostly useless now aside from testing on them. I learned alot from him and with it my confidence level came crashing down.
Nowadays I'm very reluctant to accepting jobs that require alot more research than usual. If I can't imagine every step of the process chances are I just say screw it I can't do it.
I know that it's bad and I should take risks but I can't help it.
Wow as much as hearing the fun ones is good this was still such a good video because I think this one is both helpful in making and in life 😀 I am so happy I watched adam as a kid so happy with the role model we have now .Great video again :)
I really appreciate your honesty about mistakes and how you've learnt from them. This and your story about imposter syndrome means a lot to me
Hi Adam I hope you see this. I'm a big fan of mythbusters. I seen every episode when it aired. I couldn't wait to get home when the new episodes came on. Thanks for the entertainment.
I feel like this video could be used in the business world. I work in IT, and our team works really well for the most part, and when everybody is working well together it can make projects fun. When we hire new people, they are often afraid to ask for help. I might send them to this video to help them out. Thanks again for another great Q&A.
For anyone who wants the deeper story from Adam about failure he did a talk at defcon about all of this, its on youtube and its a fantastic watch
It takes guts to tell this. Thank you for that!
That is the highest value 10 minutes and 47 seconds on the whole of UA-cam. Period.
One of the best, most honest videos on UA-cam . I have had a toe in the water of film for 30 years, and the rest of me, in the corporate world. This info applies to both. I've been a pilot and a volunteer firefighter as well. Never shut your mouth when you don't understand something. Period!!!
Gotta say Adam that everytime Im working on a project at home, ive always got one of your videos playing. You truly are an inspiration to me and other makers and I sincerely thankyou for sharing your projects and thoughts with us.
Thank you for the good advice. It really struck a chord with me right now. Love your show dude.
YES YES YES. Having made it to a senior support engineer role I can't agree more that the best lesson I learned along the way, and have tried to pass on, is to drop the pride and to ask for help.
Thank you ever so much for being real. We all need to see and hear that more often from each other. You are wonderful example of a human ❤.
This is a really great life story. I think everyone needs to push themselves a bit from time to time, though, and find those boundaries.
What about as a manager?
How do you know when you need to manage and control staff, and work with interpersonal issues, exploit staff strengths & identify weaknesses.. And well.. Soften the blow for others, with your experience, when they are sinking under pressure like you have had in the past?
Sometimes I look for help on X, but people want to know the overall picture and ask what I am actually doing. I can understand why there might be better ways overall, but that doesn't always work in the process, sometimes I really just need to know X and not have to worry about another 10 ways to do the entire project. This is a massive problem in software development and I wish people would just answer the question.
Dude Truly this is the best Q n A you have ever done brutally honest thank you
Time is really hard to figure in to a build. I'm sure people are able to build anything they put their mind to, but when they finish it is a different thing. I can paint a room faster than the average person because I have experience, but I know I couldn't paint a table top miniature in a comparable amount of time.
Damn man, that's a harsh way for things to go... got me tearing up 🥺
Thanks for sharing your story. We all have a scar from a painful/screw up moment. No fun for sure but what an amazing life lesson it teaches...
this segment should be required watching for every teenager on the planet! Yeah, I have two that know everything and can do everything by themselves, until something gets screwed up, goes wrong, is a total cluster-f**k... I don't know how many times I have to tell them "it's ok to ask for help" and especially before it goes wrong. :)
Thank you, Adam, you're great!
I'm so bad at this. So so so bad at asking for help. I've been trying my best to restructure my brain for years now. At 43, it almost feels like a lost cause, but I keep trying.
I’m Virgo and it took a good long while for me to get to a point in my life where I know what my limitations are (I’m still not cool with having limitations but maybe I’ll get there eventually) so yes I can get myself to ask for help
I totally agree, the only way to know when it is time to ask for help is after completely screwing something up once or twice because you didn't ask. Also people need to remember that technical knowledge is great but it never replaces practical experience. (Knowing how to do a thing does not equate to being able to do that thing)
I had no idea how much I needed to hear this until I heard it from Adam Savage.
well said, Adam. thank you
Such great advice, I often feel myself making the mistake of not asking for help when I should.
I could not watch this until today… and it just answers a question I didnt know I had ..
This was one of my favorite Q&A’s. Thank you
Wow. You have wisdom. Thanks for the advice.
What an absolutely great response Adam
asking stupid questions will get you honest answers no matter how ridiculous you feel asking them to the right people you'll never know what they will say, sometimes you need to take pride in your work but aslo overcome your ego
Thanks for sharing such a painful episode in your life. We've all had those life lessons that hit hard and it's ok to admit that we all sometimes need help.
Truer words have never been spoken. I recently had to turn down a gig for a friend (I especially hate having to say no to friends), and although the gig would’ve been a fun challenge doing work I’d like to do more of (creature puppetry) I realized that the job was just too big for my skills alone, and there simply wasn’t enough money to hire others who could help me pull this off. It was sad to lose the opportunity (and not being able to be a part of my friend’s film), but avoiding the stress and sleepless nights (and possibly a drained bank account) was worth more. I’m getting too old for that shit…but it’s taken a few really tough jobs to realize it.😂
Great advice, I wish I could give this two thumbs up!
I've struggled with this my whole life and I'm still trying to realize it!
Someone get Adam some Yodda ears!
"Everybody learns this lesson the hard way"
Damn if that ain't the truth. You can learn so many things by observing and analysing and listening, but one thing we only ever learn by being overconfident and ending up with our noses in our own shit because of it - and almost always repeatedly - is when to ask for help.
“Uncertainty and confusion mean you’re doing it right.” Thank you for those words. Feels like I live in that perpetual state T-T
This video really helped me put some much into perspective. I think sometimes i just get carried away and overload myself with work that it just seems like no one can or would help. But watching this video really made me understand that soooo many other struggle with the same thing. Love the video Adam and thanks
Love these life lessons from Adam so eloquently put ✌️
I truly feel thankful about this life wisdom droplets, Adam.
Cool story. Would love to see Hyneman with you on one last project... easily one of the best shows there has been.
Hopefully soon I will be a paying member! I get everything you're saying! Hopefully you will find your way to Laughlin. We'll talk! Best always!
I really needed to hear this story, thanks Adam!
I am sharing this with my kids!
Damn I wish I had a father figure like you growing up.
Bravo.
Great story/lesson.
Some of the best free advice you will ever receive in life contained in 11 minutes
It's important to know your limitations, and it's no shame to admit you need help, but it can be really hard though!!
Thank you so much for sharing this story with me.
Question -
I’m now interested in reality knowing what it was that prevented you from asking for help. For saying that you were out of your depth?
Was it your pride?
Was it fear of acknowledging that you didn’t know what to do?
Or was it something else entirely?
At the time, in that moment, were you aware that you had really screwed up?
And if you were aware of the situation as others scrambled to help, what was the conversation in your own mind?
What was it that meant that you did not say anything, didn’t ask for advice or assistance?
I’m interested in that.
🙂🐿❤️🌈
I'm a huge fan, you've inspired me on my new projects. I've been working on a nerf gun project for over a year. Soon I plan on starting my new Batman project. Thank you for being my inspiration.
Damn that's the sort of stuff that gets ingrained into your brain for Life. When this happens to me I'll think to back to this
🎶"When life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door..."🎶 ~Jerry
But...
🎶"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm gonna try
(Try with a little help from my friends)"🎶 ~Ringo
Thanks for the lifelessons. ❤️
i’m glad you and gabby made up
I remember asking for help at my job for MONTHS on the DAILY over at a section I was working basically on my own (due to staffing issues) and sadly they didn’t listen until I hit my breaking point that broke the camel’s back and I threw a fit because of how despite how I’d been asking for help, I continually was overwhelmed and felt like a chicken running around with its head cut off. I’m lucky I wasn’t fired, that people realize the issue, and moved me to a different area but I’ll never forget that day
I wouldn't fire you for that (IDK unless you punched someone or something). Unfortunately staffing issues etc happen in business then you can't really blame your staff for being stressed and overwhelmed (well you can, but then you'd be penalising them for your mistake) what you described to me is fundamentally a managerial issue
"If you think "this is gonna be easy and fun" life has got other plans for you"
Boy did i have this feeling two weeks ago. Got a new motorcycle and it was supposed to be just fairings on and on the road, couple of hours of work...
Took us three full days to get it running and a few hours on two more days to get it on the road
This was amazing - thank you Adam!!
Thank you Adam, this was amazing!
Now I want to see the student film with the ATM.
I'm baaaaaad.
CUSTOM LIGHT SABER!!! I think it’s been more than 90 days Adam, lol!
3 reasons to get help. 1) You need more muscle or another pair of hands. 2) You lack a specialized skill set. 3) You lack tooling that's cheaper hire versus the ROI of purchasing that equipment. I've run into all of these on multiple occasions.
Thanks Adam.
"Kilroy was here!" you might get the reference!
"it is always harder than it looks like" and "always ask for help"
I'm glad to hear that in the end, the two of you made up.