Advising vs. Coaching: Need A Solution? Stop Giving Advice.

It’s hard to resist giving advice isn’t it? We all do it whether it’s solicited…. or not.

When we feel sympathy or frustration with another person’s dilemma it pulls at our heartstrings. Of course the human thing to do is to try to solve their dilemma for them.

Advisors beware!

But there’s a catch with that approach: What you perceive as a need may not be one at all. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten parenting ‘advice’ from complete strangers while waiting in line at the supermarket with my then toddler. It’s well-meaning perhaps, but doesn't advising assume that the other person doesn’t know what they’re doing?