Interdependency is neither dependency nor independency. It’s neither a full reliance on self nor a full reliance on others. It is, however, a mutual back and forth. Sometimes the result is something that neither person could do or benefit from alone. Ideally, and in all cases, all parties benefit.
Being able to collaborate by giving and asking for help can create all kinds of new opportunities.
Consider the waffle maker. Would you go to a waffle shop and ask for a rolled-up waffle? Probably not. However, there is a market for rolled-up waffles otherwise known as ice cream cones. Working together means that the waffle maker has the ice cream shop for a new client, and the ice cream maker has a new way to serve ice cream. The ice cream maker could brag on saving trees by not offering paper bowls and attract new clients that love ice cream served in cones.
The result of working together is that both parties benefit.
Now that I’ve got you thinking about how interdependency works, we’ll look at each part more closely. You need to be sure you are willing to receive help (Part 1), willing to offer help (Part 2), and that you really understand what that ideally looks like (Part 3).
Interdependency does not necessarily have to be like the ice cream cone example, but there does need to be a certain synergy involved to make things work out.
Be Willing to Receive Help –
Most of my life my attitude has been that I can do it myself. I do not need any help. This attitude – for me anyway – was a combination of pride, not wanting to be a bother, and frugality.
Pride is a sin. I finally swallowed mine and got a CPA when things got too complicated. However, receiving help does not need to involve your pride. It’s impossible to learn everything that you need to know. It’s often much better to ask an expert. Just consider it a smart business decision that could save you money in the long run.
As far as feeling like a bother goes, sometimes we just have to ask for help because everyone needs help at one time or another. It’s a fact of life.
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Genesis 2:18
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Additionally, have you ever stopped to think of the things that take more than one person to do? For example, you’d probably need help to hang sheetrock on a ceiling.
I remember a time in 2006 when I felt like the Lord wanted me to do something big. I didn’t know what it was, but I did know that it would be something that I did not know how to do. The one nagging question in my mind was, “How? How am I going to get what you want me to do done if I don’t know how?”
It was impressed upon my heart that the answers lie in the interdependencies.
I have learned so many things, and so many doors have been opened since 2006 because of a network of friends and family. In so many cases, I did not have to ask, but I did have to walk where God told me to walk and be willing to receive the help and opportunities offered. I also had to be willing to learn and to be willing to try new things.
In 2006, I didn’t have a book, and I didn’t know how to get one published. I didn’t have a proofreader, and I had no clue whom to ask. I’d never done a radio interview. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t have a radio segment, and I didn’t know how to record one. The list goes on.
Interdependencies require you to step out and be brave to achieve. You must be willing to let others help you, and you may not even have to ask.
LIFE APPLICATION
If you’ve not been willing to ask for and receive help, consider the opportunities that you have been missing. Much of what I needed was informational. Don’t be afraid to ask questions from those that are “in the know” because most folks are willing to share what they know. For me, I needed to know what publisher to use for my books. I needed to know what software to use to record my segments. What information do you need to get to the next level? Who do you need to ask? Don’t be a taker. Look for ways to help those that help you.