Resist the Urge To Give Advice
Illustration★★★★Resist the urge to give advice. As the saying goes “Wise people don’t need it, and fools won’t heed it.” Plus, advising others about what to do obliges them to later defend their decision if they choose not to follow your advice. You can help others tap into their own wisdom by asking questions like: Why is this a problem for you? How do you hope the situation will turn out? What’s your most important priority in the situation? How would you advise me if I had that problem? What is it that you most want to avoid happening in this situation? What would make you feel best about yourself? What do you think would be the best decision for everybody involved, in the long run?
Gavin Whitsett.
The point
Resisting the urge to give unsolicited advice honors others' wisdom and autonomy; instead, asking questions helps them discover their own answers. Practical guidance on effective helping.