It’s smart to ask for advice, but sometimes dumb to take it.
The 21 Hats Podcast had an episode called “Who’s Advice are you Going to Take?” The host (I didn’t catch his name) interviewed Paul Downs, Mel Gravely, and Sarah Segal. It was an interesting discussion around the benefits of sticking to your plan or taking advice from outsiders.
The Book of Proverbs says “in an abundance of counselors there is victory.” It’s interesting that it doesn’t say whether you need to take the advice of your counselors. And from the “everything I need to know I learned from Star Trek” file, in the episode called “Dagger of the Mind,” Dr. Helen Noel asks why Captain Kirk asked for her advice if he didn’t intend to follow it, to which Dr. Tristan Adams said “One of the advantages of being captain, Doctor, is being able to ask for advice without necessarily having to take it.”
What’s particularly interesting about this is that – as a general rule – you have to be fairly willful and independent to go into business. Mavericks start businesses. Willful, independent people aren’t known for asking advice.
Sarah Segal says she’s hesitant to take advice. “When it comes down to it,” she says, “nobody knows your business the way you do.”
Paul Downs added that even smart, experienced people can give you very bad advice.
Mel Gravely seemed to find a middle path. He was talking about the advantages of having a board of directors. The board gives you an outside perspective, but it’s an informed perspective – which is an important distinction. They know about your business and have the right context.
Still, Mel said, and the others agreed, you don’t want to be in a position where you have to take the advice of the board.
If you have the time, listen to the whole conversation (link below), but here are my takeaways.
- It’s good to be challenged, so long as challenges make you think rather than get defensive.
- Somebody on the outside might see a big, glaring gap in your plan that you can’t see because you’re too close to it.
- If you want to do something, you have an emotional investment in it, which clouds your judgment. An outside adviser doesn’t have that bias.
- Getting advice can slow you down, which is annoying. But remember, fools rush in.
- Make a distinction between “advice” and “informed advice.”
- Finally, you’re the captain. You can ask for advice and choose not to take it.
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