A Good Adviser

Are you a good adviser? Here are some tips for you to understand if you are one.

a) Every situation is unique, so listen carefully to the person who wants some advice from you and learn as much as possible about their situation. If you need clarification, ask questions. Being an active listener will not only help you give good advice, it will also increase the chances that the person will take your advice.

b) Try to imagine yourself in the other person’s situation. If you’ve been in a similar situation, think about what you learnt, but don’t rely just on your experiences to give advice. Imagine that you are giving yourself advice for the unique circumstances that the other person is facing.

c) If you don’t really feel qualified or knowledgeable enough to give advice on something, be honest about this fact. Your goal should not be to help the other person to make a good decision, so don’t act like a salesman.

d) If you advise one thing but do the opposite, your advice will be seen as hypocritical. If you do as you say, however, people will be more likely to respect your advice.

e) Just because someone asks for your advice, they don’t have to take it. Realise that you can never be sure that your advice is really the best for them. Understand that people will sometimes ask for advice just in order to get different ideas, and don’t be surprised if a person rejects a good piece of advice and decides to make his or her own mistake. Live with it, and let them live with his or her decision.