Are expert gurus the cult leaders of our generation? Most self-professed gurus would argue not, saying that they are simply “helping” people achieve success, realign with their life purpose or whatever the fix-it flavor of the week happens to be.
It’s not their fault that after they write a book, speak on stage or put on their coaching hat and start doling out advice that they get labeled a guru. How can you blame the guru? After all, it’s the followers who choose to follow the advice – the guru is just the facilitator.
Ignore the fact that they built an empire doing just that. Charging upwards of six figures to learn their secret formula. Promising that you are just one $25,000 mastermind payment away from your dreams. Insisting that you MUST follow their advice if you want to succeed.
I’ll bet if you asked a cult leader, the answer would be quite similar. They would tell you their purpose is to simply help people. They would argue it’s up to their followers to decide whether or not to follow. They would question why you blame them that their followers so generously reward them for their good deeds.
Whatever the reason and whoever the source, it’s a dangerous dynamic to give up control and unthinkingly follow what another person tells you to do. That being said, expert advice often helps us fast track our learning curve and avoid serious mistakes.
How to Take Expert Advice without Losing your Power
#1: Filter – Like your mother used to say, “Take it all with a grain of salt”. Filter any and all advice regardless of the source – your best friend, a guru, or the fancy pants strategic consultant you hired to help put together your business plan.
#2: Trust your Instincts – If it sounds counterintuitive, it’s time to start asking A LOT of questions. Often we ignore obvious warning signs that it’s bad advice because we assign a special status to the so-called expert.
#3: Look Beyond the Lesson – More often than not the advice is a specific example intended to demonstrate a general principle. Follow the principle instead of trying to shoehorn your situation to fit the specific example.
#4: Ask for Specific Input – Instead of giving the coach, consultant or expert carte blanche to step into your business and wave their magic wand willy-nilly, ask for specific advice suited to their expertise.
#5: Measure your Results – Build accountability into the expert relationship by weighing and measuring your results. If it isn’t working, perhaps there is a way to adjust the approach to better fit your specific circumstances, but if all else fails, maybe it’s time to acknowledge that you followed bad advice.
4 Comments
Carla, I think this is an important subject to raise to create awareness of the potential dangers of hiring “gurus” (got to admit I don’t like that word), especially those who are self appointed gurus. I don’t agree with the approach of “I’ve made a gazillion dollars doing it this way and will teach you to do the same”. The reason being is that different approaches suit different businesses, individuals and visions. For me, it should be about designing an appropriate path for your business and personal goals and seeking the help that will support that rather than trying to fit into someone elses shoes. After all, there isn’t just one route to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, there are many.
I am actually not prone to take something, anything, for granted. I like to understand the “why” behind things, and every advice, I believe, should really be welcomed with a reasoning behind it.
Blindly listening to someone, guru or not, isn’t gonna do any good, to anyone.
I agree 100% — it all depends on how you approach advice. I am continually amazed how many people hand over their common sense when it comes to working with a consultant or a coach.
Yes, out of the box formulas never work because every business is unique. I find the best inspiration comes from looking at what companies not in my industry are doing and adapting for my business.