Think back over your lifetime to all the advice you’ve been given by parents, relatives, friends, colleagues and just about anyone you might have happened to cross paths with (did someone say, “Plastics…”?).
Maybe some of it has been useful, but probably most was just crazy.
I remember when I first entered the work force as an accountant. One of my first assignments was with an “older gentleman” who’d been with the firm for over forty years.
I remember him telling me on my first day, “Let me give you a little advice, son, when you get to the office, put your head down and work. Stay out of the way and don’t call attention to yourself. The partners like guys who just get it done.”
I came to learn that this well-meaning schnook of an accountant had survived by being invisible his entire career and he was trying to give me well-intentioned advice.
Truth be told, I did that for a while, until I realized that becoming invisible to other members, especially the partners, was a ticket to obscurity as my performance review date came and went. Then I wondered if being invisible was the way to go.
I decided if this was what accounting was going to be like that my spirit and nature couldn’t survive. I did what seemed like the right thing—I began to ask more questions, to listen intently and participate in discussions. But it worked out because older, more experienced CPAs wanted me on their jobs and I was noticed.
It’s just one example of the boatloads of bad advice that’s being offloaded to the unsuspecting.
Nothing is easier than giving advice; especially the unsolicited kind. (“Try the cream of broccoli soup, it’s killer!”)
As we age, we use our accumulated knowledge and experience to help others.
Consider the advice you give and whether it’s applicable and appropriate to the recipient—otherwise you’re likely to earn the title, “Crazy Old Man”.
Cheers,
Michael
