One thing that you didn’t touch on was that (in my experience) advice needs to be a two-way street. While taking blanket advice and making it fit into your specific situation isn’t a good idea, soliciting advice without giving all the facts is just as bad, if not worse. Too often, people have already decided what they want, and are just looking for someone (or something) to validate it.
Your point about the advisor’s motivation is critical. And your example of the career coach is spot on. I ask myself, why would somebody need a personal brand unless they’ve actually achieved something? Isn’t it putting the cart before the horse? Trust advisors only who have made it (and you should define what that means for yourself), preferably in the field that they’re offering advice on. Otherwise, their opinion is of less value than your own…for at least you’re deciding based upon what’s good for you, not what’s good for them!
Thanks! I think of the career coach example as similar to that of a vet. I know my vet’s interests in over-treating my dogs with every possible preventative medication do not align with my interests of having healthy dogs at a lower cost. I still go to the vet, but I make sure I cut 20% of the things she tries to “sell” me on my bill. Take advice still, but just with a grain of salt. Thanks for the comment!
All of the things you mentioned are good additions. One more: a person being advised needs to bring something to the table too to develop a mentoring relationship, rather than just asking for free advice all the time.
Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
One thing that you didn’t touch on was that (in my experience) advice needs to be a two-way street. While taking blanket advice and making it fit into your specific situation isn’t a good idea, soliciting advice without giving all the facts is just as bad, if not worse. Too often, people have already decided what they want, and are just looking for someone (or something) to validate it.
Your point about the advisor’s motivation is critical. And your example of the career coach is spot on. I ask myself, why would somebody need a personal brand unless they’ve actually achieved something? Isn’t it putting the cart before the horse? Trust advisors only who have made it (and you should define what that means for yourself), preferably in the field that they’re offering advice on. Otherwise, their opinion is of less value than your own…for at least you’re deciding based upon what’s good for you, not what’s good for them!
RJ,
Thanks! I think of the career coach example as similar to that of a vet. I know my vet’s interests in over-treating my dogs with every possible preventative medication do not align with my interests of having healthy dogs at a lower cost. I still go to the vet, but I make sure I cut 20% of the things she tries to “sell” me on my bill. Take advice still, but just with a grain of salt. Thanks for the comment!
Norcross,
All of the things you mentioned are good additions. One more: a person being advised needs to bring something to the table too to develop a mentoring relationship, rather than just asking for free advice all the time.
{ 4 trackbacks }