When am I supposed to ask? — Empatyzer comic

Olek asks Jonas a small question and Jonas tells him to try alone first.

Olek, don’t come to me with every small thing. Try it yourself first.

Okay.

Olek works independently and does not want to interrupt Jonas.

I’m supposed to show more independence.

During a review Jonas says Olek asks for help too late.

DURING THE REVIEW

One thing: when you get stuck, you ask for help too late.

But you told me to ask less.

Jonas names the difference between a small issue and real risk.

Ask less about small things, but immediately when timing or quality is at risk.

How was I supposed to know that threshold?

Olek and Jonas write down a clear escalation threshold.

If you are still stuck after an hour or see a risk, ask.

Now those messages don’t contradict each other.

Jonas has a clear internal line between asking too early and a necessary request for help. Olek does not know that line, so the messages ask less and you should have asked create a trap. Independence works only when both sides know the threshold: how long to try alone and what level of risk requires immediate escalation.