The Value of Unsolicited Advice

I’m sure this has occurred to all of us: someone - a coworker suggesting a different approach, a friend pointing out a blind spot, or even a stranger with a unique perspective - offers us advice we didn't ask for. This is unsolicited advice, and while it may catch you by surprise, it can still be surprisingly valuable.

Unlike solicited advice, which we actively seek, unsolicited advice arrives unprompted. This often triggers a defensive knee jerk reaction, making us, not only wanting to ignore it, but also to tell the sender we do not appreciate their intrusion into our business. But before we automatically dismiss unsolicited advice, we should consider these possible benefits:

1. A Fresh Perspective: Unsolicited advice offers a viewpoint we might not have considered. It can spark new ideas and challenge our assumptions.

2. Hidden Expertise: The advice giver might have valuable experience and their insights could help us avoid mistakes and possible roadblocks.

3. A Blind Spot: Unsolicited advice may reveal a “blind spot” that is stopping us from seeing a better way to deal with an issue.

Because unsolicited advice can be as valuable as solicited advice, the correct response to, both solicited and unsolicited should be:

• ?Don’t be defensive or argumentative. ?Often, when we get advice we don’t agree with or like hearing, we argue with the person giving us the advice.?Don’t. ?Instead take a breath and resist the urge to respond negatively.?If you don’t, your response will ensure this person never gives you advice again.

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• Acknowledge and Appreciate: Thank the person for their input. Let them know you value their opinion, even if you don't agree.

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• Reflect on the Advice: Take time to consider their points. Does their advice reveal a hidden issue, or offer a new approach worth exploring? Finally, the decision is always ours. We can choose to use the advice, adapt it, or politely decline. The important thing to remember is unsolicited advice can be a gift. By approaching it with an open mind, we can often turn unsolicited advice into valuable insights.

?I could be wrong...but I'm not.