Monday, August 12, 2013

On giving advice!





Advice is like snow – the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

It is said that the easiest thing to do is to give advice! But it is not true. Advising others is a very responsible portfolio and if not handled intelligently, will harm interpersonal relationship.
 There is a management tool called ‘5W1H’ which stands for the first letter of the five words Who, When, Where, What, Why and How. When advising someone, we should be clear on the following:

Who: Who is receiving our advice? Who are we to advice? Are we the right person? Is there someone who can do it better?

When: When are we giving the advice in terms of timing and context?

Where: Where are giving the advice? Is the ambiance good so that it is received properly?

What: What advice we are giving? Is it right? What words we are using? Will they produce the expected result?

Why: Why are we giving the advice? Why that person? What is the outcome we have in mind? Is the process suitable for achieving the desired result?

How: How are we going to advice? What is our strategy? Do we have a plan?

Next time when you want to advice someone, go through the above checklist and see the result of your advice!

N C Sridharan

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