One Big Question to Start Getting Better Advice
Have you ever received good advice…and still weren’t sure what to do next?
Professional advice is often given as options.
You could do A, or B, or C.
That’s helpful to a point. But if you aren’t an expert in that area, it may leave you wondering, “Which choice is best for me?”
(That’s what we all really care about.)
Here’s how I handle this situation—whether it’s with my lawyer, my doctor, or my landscaper.
These are all areas where the professional I’m dealing with has far more expertise than me. My knowledge base is limited, but I still want the best outcome for my situation.
I ask one simple question: “What would you do if you were in my exact situation?”
This question often changes the conversation completely. Instead of giving generic advice or offering best practices, the person in front of me is imagining themselves in my shoes.
They’re applying their expertise to make a human decision. The result is usually much better, more specific advice.
***
I have a roof that is supposed to last me 50 years.
20 years later, shingles are sliding off the house.
I bring out a few contractors for estimates and find one I want to work with. He tells me the unfortunate truth: the work wasn’t done right the first time.
So I have 3 options:
- Replace the roof with the same kind of roof I have now. Cost: $80K
- Replace the roof with less expensive asphalt shingles. Cost: $22k
- Patch the roof, which is a temporary solution at best. Cost: less than $1k
Obviously, there are big differences between these choices. I don’t have a clear sense of which one is “the best deal” or really, best for me.
So I ask, “If you didn’t own a roofing company and this was your situation, what would you do?”
He answers without hesitating, “Rip off the roof and replace it with asphalt shingles.”
…I patched it. 😂
But in a few years, I’ll probably take his advice. Because I’m confident he gave me his best recommendation for my situation.
***
One of our company’s core values is Your Business Is Our Business. And I think it’s connected to this idea of giving specific, empathetic advice.
Best practices are a good start, but they don’t go far enough.
We treat our clients’ companies like our own. And I am allergic to making any recommendation I wouldn’t follow if I were in that person’s shoes.
So if you find yourself speaking with one of our consultants, feel free to ask them that key question: “What would you do if you were in my situation?”
You’ll get advice that they would take. And I find that’s the very best kind.
