Asking for advice is just that -- a request. When you receive advice, you get to decide whether or not to accept and use it. And the person who gave you the advice doesn’t get to judge you based on the outcome.
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I bring this up because I often hear back from people who, after receiving my advice, took a different path. They expect me to be disappointed in them, or throw out a big “I told you so.”
On my consulting journey, I learned long ago that my business is not your business. I’m an advisor. It’s your life and your company. If you decide not to take my advice, I have choices. Most of the time, it’s just a shift in approach. Not a big deal.
Sometimes, it creates extra work and we have to charge you more or adjust the engagement scope. In rare cases, the engagement is no longer a fit. The right thing to do is give notice and let you find someone else who can support your new direction.
But I’ve noticed that many entrepreneurs expect extra feedback in the form of gloating or shaming. If it goes right, the advice giver might want to celebrate their individual brilliance (which is often just luck), or even be given more control.
When we fail or make mistakes, we might expect responses that imply: you’re dumb, you’re a mess, you’re a failure, I never believed in you, you couldn’t do this without me.
Entrepreneurship is hard. The last thing you need is partners who put you in a one-down position whether you succeed or fail.
You deserve strategic guidance without judgment, power plays, or ego. If you're looking for an advisor who supports you in making the best decisions for your business, let’s talk. Book a call and get the expert support you need—without the “I told you so.”
Comments
Entrepreneurship is hard. The last thing you need is partners who put you in a one-down position whether you succeed or fail.
You deserve strategic guidance without judgment, power plays, or ego. If you're looking for an advisor who supports you in making the best decisions for your business, let’s talk. Book a call and get the expert support you need—without the “I told you so.”