I’ve been doing more pondering about advice. In this comic Dilbert expresses his strong feelings on the subject:
Coworker: Do you want some advice?
Dilbert: Nope. Advice is just ignorance and ego disguised as helpfulness.
The coworker then asks how he will hear himself talk. Dilbert says the supply cabinet has an awesome echo.
At least the fellow asked Dilbert instead of just giving his opinion. In the comic we were supposed to be able to tell that the person asking was ignorant and trying to feed his ego. In fairness, some advice, when given by well-meaning and more experienced people, can make sense.
But even then, it may not be the best way to go. Jordan Spieth, who won the Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open this year, could be a good example. He would like to win the British Open this week to be the only person besides Ben Hogan in 1953 to win all three tournaments in the same year, but according to a lot of people he didn’t do enough to increase his chances of doing so.
He was gently criticized for not traveling here to compete in the Scottish Open or squeeze in extra practices on the Old Course, which he had played once before this week. He was breezily advised to play practice rounds with veterans of the tournament, the better to pick their brains about the course’s quirks. He was amiably informed that his starting wave figures to get the worst of the week’s foulest weather and that, basically, he has not seen anything yet, weather-wise.
Spieth, 21, made plain that all the background noise has not escaped him. He offered rejoinders in a manner so mild and so respectful, his targets might not have been aware his answers were about them.
—The New York Times, Jordan Spieth Plans to Win It, or Lose It, His Way
I’m curious to see how he does. As I write this after the first day of play, he is only two points behind the leader, but the weather is supposed to turn bad so it’s anybody’s guess. I’m following him mainly to see if he can handle so much success at such an early age — that’s a hard thing to do. But even though he’s doing what the thinks is best rather than taking much advice from others, he isn’t arrogant about it.
July 17, 2015
St. Andrews is like no other links. He would do well to seek advice from the older and wiser guys. I wish him well too. He reminds me of Tiger Woods in the latter’s early days.
His choice of people to play with was interesting, but he’s such a level-headed person I trust that he knew what was best for him.
I love St. Andrews. Kaitlin did her junior year of college there, and I visited her twice — once for a long weekend in the fall when I was going to Germany for a business trip, and then Andy and I went in the spring for a week. The amazing thing was the sunshine both times. Apparently we were lucky.
great post!
it’s been my observation that no one really ‘wants’ advice.
when they tell you their troubles they are really only wanting a sounding board! which can be healthy in itself i expect. rather than bottling it up!
i have to watch myself. i’m a born ‘fixer’ i feel empathy … and immediately start thinking what they could do to help their situation! LOLOL.
now i know what i really am… an egotistical ignoramous! LOL!!!
and i love young spieth’s attitude. his own man… but without arrogance.
refreshing.
I agree, it’s very rare that people want advice rather than a sounding board. I’m a problem solver too, so when I was teaching/leading groups in stress management, dealing with difficult people, etc. and people talked about their problems, I would ask myself where in my life was I doing something similar? I could usually find something and would focus my problem solving urges there.
Spieth may not win the British Open, but he’s focusing on staying centered and playing good golf. I’m with you, I admire him.
Jordan Spieth. I knew I had heard that name before! LOL!
Actually I live where John Deere has it’s headquarters.
And every year there is the John Deere Golf Classic here.
It’s a BIG deal. A lot of people go to it. I never have, but it’s really a major event around here.
This was the biggest year yet. Bill Murray was even came and played golf.
And Jordan Spieth won.
http://johndeereclassic.com/media/press-releases/spieth-delivers-at-jdc-ready-for-open/
I don’t real care too much for sports of any kind.
Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on something.
I mean, other people love sports SO MUCH and I just scratch my head.
And about advice… I agree that many times people just want to blow off steam and let their problems out. They aren’t usually really wanting advice.
But if they are airing out their problems, they need to be prepared for it.
The worst is when they DO ask and then turn around and do the opposite.
Why waste my time then? Especially girls with boy problems and when you tell them that they shouldn’t stand for bad behavior and yet they just keep going back for more. Seriously, I want to say “Don’t tell me any more!”
Personally I value advice, and hearing different peoples opinions if it’s from someone I respect. I’ve received some great advice from my blogger friends! 🙂 xoxoxo
But I don’t like when I’m talking to someone and someone else chimes in with their two-cents and tells me what to do. Times like that I want to say “If I wanted YOUR advice I would have asked YOU”.
(of course I’m talking about my work environment! Ha!)
Yep, that’s what I think.
Thank you for that link. I knew that one reason he played in this tournament instead of going to Scotland early was because of loyalty, but I didn’t know the details. One golfer said loyalty is fine, but Spieth should have been ruthless and done the strategically best thing. I don’t think so. I admire him!
Golf — and University of Michigan football because of Kaitlin and Torben (they make the drive to Michigan for every home game) — are the only sports I follow. I watch the Masters Tournament because of all the greenery and the bird sounds, but mainly just check now and then to see who is doing what.