Stop offering unsolicited advice
How can offering advice interfere with understanding each other?
Learn to communicate effectively to reduce conflict |
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Most of us have a natural tendency to offer advice or play "the fixer" when talking with other people. Often we do that because we really do want to help, and our intentions are good. Other times we offer advice because we want to appear expert or knowledgable.
Problems occur when the other person doesn't want or expect advice. Offering advice can create a situation where one person (the receiver of the advice) feels "one down" or "less than" the person offering the advice.
If you want to offer advice, it's best to specifically ask the other person if they'd like your advice or suggestions. For example: "I think I have a suggestion if you like to hear it?" Leave control over whether advice is given or not in the hands of the other person.
Remember that someone who is complaining, or emoting is often not asking for help with a solution but just wants to vent.