In Monday’s Blog, we discussed advice given as absolutes and as simple, no lose strategies, that if you apply them will almost guarantee success. Well it is just not true.
When we discuss this with business owners and leaders, however, they ask us – and rightly so – how do we know what makes sense and what doesn’t?
A fair question – so here are Eight questions to run through your skeptic meter:
- What qualifications does the person have who is giving you the advice?
- Are they using absolute statements such as “guaranteed”, “no fail strategy” and other hyperbole?
- Do they use the word “all” a lot?
- Can you honestly say that you learned at least one practical, doable idea that you didn’t know or realize before?
- Are they contrarian in most of their comments and does a predominant contrarian position make sense to you? There are no absolutes – contrarian or not – really.
- When you ask them a question does the answer make sense to you? (Is it relevant to you and your situation). And have they taken you specific situation into consideration as they answer your questions?
- Are they willing to say for example, “in respect to managing your boss, there will be situations where what I’m saying won’t work, and you may have to learn how to cope, get transferred or leave the company”. If not there’s a problem, because this is reality.
- Are they congruent in what they say and what they do (how they behave) and is what they say and do congruent with who they are (as stated or presented if you are just meeting)?
There is plenty of good advice available from good and competent people who can help you and your business. There is also sheer and utter nonsense. When reading a book or an article, listening to a speech, or listening to advice, run it through your skeptic meter first.
Copyright 2011 Kubica LaForest Consulting
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