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Aah. Aha. Ahaa. Ah.Hmm. mmh. Aha.

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Listen to them, and go “okay”. Then if it was helpful, follow the suggestion. More often than not, though, the advice is not helpful. I’ll still listen and go “okay”, and then go and do whatever it is that I thought was best.

Painful truth is that I am not an expert in everything. I don’t know everything. Even having reached middle age, I’ve not experienced everything. But by listening to those around me, I can often learn something. That thing may not always be what the advice giver intended, (often it’s “This person is an idiot”) but learning is good.

The most important piece of information you can ever learn is “Where can I find more information?” Occasionally it’s the annoying asshole that keeps giving unsolicited advice.

Smile and wave boys

K, thanks.

I think everybody has pretty much nailed how to verbally respond, but I think it’s important to mention how to internally respond to it.

Any advice given should be honestly considered. It’s human nature to think our own idea is better than anyone else’s.

Sometimes the situation is unique and other people don’t know all the finer details like you do, and what worked for them just doesn’t apply to you.

Other times, they may know more you think they do. Don’t take it as gospel, but consider any warnings or possible solutions that didn’t cross your mind before.

More information and diverse perspectives create better solutions.

When possible, I like asking them to show me. That way you at least get to skip one work task.

Always thank them and look sincire. That can’t hurt. Do consider it thoroughly, and when possible, show them you acted upon it, for example in your next task, when giving an update, give it in such a way than mentions said advice, even if you took another path, and explain you considerations then.

From my experience, people are not interested in the best professional outcome as much as they are interested in having some meaning, weight or control. Use it to your advantage to get ahead

If the advice was garbage and you know it, try to explain why it was good advice “although I had to do x y since the advice is more fitting if we were dealing with a b”

If it’s useful advice:

A: “Always knew those two brain cells of yours would come in handy one day.”

B: “Thanks, I’ll try that.”

If it isn’t:

A: “Man why didn’t I think of that? Oh right, because it’s stupid!”

B: “Thanks, I’ll try that.”

“Noted”.

But Don’t ever let people get the impression you’re committing yourself to anything they’ve said unless it actually feels right and is consistent with your needs.

If that checks out, ask them what actionable first step they recommend for you to get started doing it their way. This also helps you get them to limit themselves to covering that first step with the tacit mutual understanding you will need to dip your toe in with that first actionable step before you are ready for them to dive further with you.

If not definitely dont ask for more information. Then they will start to expect you to do it their way since you’ve expressed further interest and they have taken the time to break it down for you and become invested inseeing you validate it for them.

Its also sort of disingenuous and humoring them which some people hate the most. I am one of them, if someone asks me for advice or whatever and i sense they’re just telling me what i want to hear, im probably gonna ghost them

I would need to evaluate it based on its merits. I’m in an industry where people are supposed to speak up if they see work being performed incorrectly.

Ah ok, sure, got it, understood, etc.

Option A: Try it.
Option B: Ask for details about why it’s better.
Option C: Ignore them.
Option D: Destroy the thing or person they love most in this world, and coldly smile at their lamentation.

It really depends on the advice, and my relationship with the advice giver. I generally give advice at least a thought, even if it was unwanted, unless I have a reason to mistrust the advisor. As for how I respond to the person, if it’s a friend I’ll usually have followup questions, for people I know less well it’s usually a cordial variant of “hmm, interesting perspective” and then I have to think on it for a while before I respond, if I respond at all.