Trying Asking for Advice – Not Giving It 

Have you ever found wanted to give advice to someone at work? Well, there’s a way to do it right.

I recently came across a fascinating book by Katie Milkman called “How to Change.” In it, she explores the impact of advice-giving on our behavior. I think we all intuitively know this but she has the research to back it up.

Traditionally, giving unsolicited advice in the workplace is rarely welcomed and often anti-welcomed. However, studies have shown that when we give advice to others, we are more likely to internalize and adopt that advice ourselves. For instance, if a colleague asks for tips on improving focus, sharing your three best strategies might encourage you to implement them in your own work life.

So next time you have a situation at work where you want to offer advice, instead of offering unsolicited advice, try asking for advice from your colleague. By seeking their insights, they will naturally reflect on their own strategies and consider how they could apply them personally. In an effort to avoid seeming critical, they may even begin implementing those strategies themselves. It’s a sneaky way to indirectly provide guidance without overtly giving advice.

Want more on communicating with your team? Read on