Wise Counsel

Let’s face it, if you are running an organization, you feel alone more times than you may care to admit. That’s how it’s been for me, at least. Business leaders need to cultivate relationships with quality counselors, but the search isn’t easy. Here are a few tips for finding compatible advisors:

1) Choose well. Wise counselors are rare. Lots of people have opinions, but not everyone's opinions are actually good. Choose someone you trust. My quick test: Would I would leave my kids with them? Or would I spend my spare time—if I had spare time!—with them? If the answer is yes, you may have a contender.

2) It takes time. In my opinion, you can’t just expect to get great advice and counsel from someone who doesn’t really know you. They need to know what’s happening with your business and your family—and that takes time. Lots of time. I met with one of the best wise counsel-givers I’ve ever had for nearly a year before I really felt like we were rocking.

3) A posture to listen. No one gives their best advice to asshats who won’t listen. As a recovering asshat, I routinely still act like I’ve got it all figured out. But if you want to get great advice, you have to be willing to receive it. Both the hard stuff and the good stuff. This has been the most difficult lesson for me to get right. I'm still working on it!

Wise counsel is key. We all need it—if only to not feel so alone in the journey. How have you found your trusted advisors?