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Tip 675: Stifle objections and use accepting phrases. |
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Even though you may not have asked for conclusions, you'll likely get them. If you begin to raise too many objections at the beginning, you'll stall your adviser. You can't be choosy about advice after it starts to flow. Use accepting phrases and let it come: "That's a new approach." "I don't think that option had occurred to me." "That's a different way to look at it." "I'm not sure I understand your point, but keep going." ''Can you be more specific about why you think my approach was illogical?" |
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Tip 676: Lead your adviser to argue both sides. |
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On the other hand, you do want to hear and consider both sides of an issue. Rather than arguing against an adviser's perspective, simply ask for opposing views and let him or her argue both sides: "Would anybody with your same expertise disagree with what you've said?" "Would everybody agree with that position?" "Do you yourself have any concerns at all that this approach won't work?" "Do you think I should look out for anything along the way?" "Do you have any cautions for me if I do exactly as you say?" "Are there any extenuating circumstances that might alter your opinion?" Let the adviser play devil's advocate so you hear both sides without seeming rude or ungrateful for their best opinion. |
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Tip 677: Don't overlook good advice because of its packaging. |
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Some people ignore advice simply because they've heard it before (a big clue that it might be on target!), find it "to be expected," consider it too complex, or think it too simple. But . . . the repetitious can be true. The "expected" may be reality staring you in the face. The complex can be worth the effort. The simple may be profound. |
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Tip 678: Ask the right person or group. |
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That sounds obvious, but actually few people are so methodical in their quest for feedback that they choose work and play advisers with much forethought. Many of us ask advice from whoever happens to be around at the time or whoever has time to listen to us. If the situation has grave consequences, choose career advisers as carefully as you choose doctors. The pain can turn out to be similar and the result as grave. |
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