--- title: Three Helping Roles description: Management guru Edgar Schein at MIT suggests that leaders can choose one of three helping roles* to play when they are asked to help someone. image: https://www.philipcbergey.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/082516b%20-%20Phil%20Bergey%20Blog%20Header.png --- [Skip to main content](https://www.philipcbergey.com/blog/three-helping-roles#main-content) [![Philip C. Bergey Logo - Black](https://www.philipcbergey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Philip%20C.%20Bergey%20Logo%20-%20Black.png?width=200&height=62&name=Philip%20C.%20Bergey%20Logo%20-%20Black.png) ![Philip C. 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Bergey](https://www.philipcbergey.com/blog/author/phil-c-bergey) Feb 7, 2021 12:00:00 AM ![082516b - Phil Bergey Blog Header](https://www.philipcbergey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/082516b%20-%20Phil%20Bergey%20Blog%20Header.png?width=1600&name=082516b%20-%20Phil%20Bergey%20Blog%20Header.png) Management guru Edgar Schein at MIT suggests that leaders can choose one of three helping roles\* to play when they are asked to help someone: 1. An expert resource who provides information or services 2. A doctor who diagnoses and prescribes 3. A process consultant who focuses on building an equitable relationship and clarifies what kind of help is needed What is the natural role you tend to play? What criteria do you use to know when to switch roles?   \**Helping: How to Offer, Give, and Receive Help: Understanding Effective Dynamics in One-to-One, Group, and Organizational Relationships* (2009), Berrett-Koehler Publishers.   *[![Phil Bergey](https://www.philipcbergey.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Phil%20Bergey%20Headshot%20(1)-Jun-25-2026-03-04-27-7308-PM.png?width=100&name=Phil%20Bergey%20Headshot%20(1)-Jun-25-2026-03-04-27-7308-PM.png)](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/philip-bergey-about-rev) On the journey with you,* [![Philip C. 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