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© Chair for Strategy and Organization, Technical University of Munich

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Giving Advice
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Giving Advice

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The most useful advice doesn't specify what to do; it helps people see blind spots in their thinking and clarify their priorities. - Anna Goldfarb

👥 The Solomon's Paradox

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➕ Definition

The Solomon's Paradox refers to the phenomenon where individuals demonstrate wise and rational decision-making abilities when solving other people's problems or dilemmas, but struggle to apply the same level of wisdom and rationality to their own personal situations. It is named after the biblical figure King Solomon, who was known for his wisdom in resolving disputes and making decisions.

In essence, the paradox highlights the disparity between one's ability to provide sound advice or make objective judgments for others, compared to their own subjective decision-making process. People may possess the knowledge and expertise to navigate complex situations when they are not personally involved, yet they often struggle to apply the same level of clarity and rationality when facing their own challenges.

The Solomon's Paradox serves as a reminder of the inherent biases, emotional attachments, and subjective influences that can cloud an individual's judgment when it comes to their own circumstances. It suggests that objectivity and wisdom can be hindered by personal biases, emotional attachments, and a lack of perspective, even for individuals who demonstrate wisdom in other aspects of life.

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✏️ Source

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/21/smarter-living/how-to-give-better-advice.amp.html#click=https://t.co/Nh8FProfdk

💡 6 Tipps on how to give good advice

  1. Evaluate the situation: Make sure you are being asked for advice and not just being a sounding board. Offer your input only if the person is open to hearing it.
  2. Be clear on the advice-seeker's goals: Understand the specific problem and desired outcome. Align your advice with their objectives and avoid redundancy.
  3. Consider your qualifications: Assess if you have the expertise or knowledge required to provide helpful advice. If not, recommend someone who can better assist.
  4. Collaborate on a solution: Begin the conversation with a reassuring tone and offer praise for the person's judgment. Share your own experiences and suggest additional resources without being preachy.
  5. Look for physical signs of relief: Observe the advice-seeker's facial cues and body language to gauge if your advice is resonating. Use language that feels collaborative rather than authoritative.
  6. Offer support as needed: Identify the most relevant takeaways and allow the person to disregard suggestions that don't fit their situation. Discuss continued support and establish expectations for next steps.
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✏️ Source

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/smarter-living/how-to-give-better-advice.html https://medium.com/psychobabbling/the-psychological-reasons-you-shouldnt-give-advice-to-anyone-3529936330c4