how to give the right advice

I heard about this one from Merlin Mann on Back to Work Podcast.

Merlin says he got it from John Siracusa.

This describes a situation in which one friend comes to another asking for advice. The first friend asks the second friend how to solve a problem and it is clear to the second friend that the question first friend is asking isn’t necessarily the right one.

For instance, if someone came to me and asked how to rewire their light switches for home automation, I’d ask them what they’re trying to do. Perhaps what they’re trying to do actually requires a cheaper solution, like a smart plug or a smart bulb.

Most of the work of giving advice actually has little do with the advice-giving part. If you can guide a person to ask the right question, the one that suits their needs… the game changes.

Very much like Zettelkasten/Cards/Concepts/powerful questions|powerful questions, coaching, and other stuff.

---

Date: 2021-04-17 Back to Daily Blog MOC Back to Welcome.