Helping is good. But being helpful on repeat for something others should already know? That’s where it gets tricky.

In support roles, where institutional knowledge stacks up fast, it’s easy to become the “go-to” for that one report, system, or tool — even when the person asking could’ve learned it themselves.

At first, it feels like being a team player. But over time, that courtesy becomes a shortcut — and shortcuts don’t scale. Photos —

It’s a bit like handing someone a map every time they get lost, instead of helping them learn to read it.

You’re saving them time in the moment — but you’re also keeping them from growing. Worse, you’re absorbing extra work that chips away at your own role and priorities.

Eventually, the favor stops being a one-time kindness and starts becoming an expectation.

🧠 Reflection:
Sometimes the most respectful thing you can do is say:

“This isn’t part of my role — but here’s who to ask for training.”

Because helping someone grow isn’t about doing the thing for them — it’s about making sure they can do it themselves next time.