You know that feeling of frustration you get when a friend comes to you asking for advice but they don’t actually take it? Well, you’re certainly not alone. Many people have friends or people in their life that come to them for helpful hints on solving a problem but they don’t usually follow it. Here are some tips on how to give great advice; even if the person doesn’t follow it.
- Be an active listener. Respond every so often by giving recaps of what your friend was saying so they know you were listening and understanding. No one likes it when they are trying to talk to someone and then they find out that the person didn’t listen or understand.
- Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Don’t give them any advice that you wouldn’t follow. However, if you are the kind of person that says exactly what’s on your mind, but your friend isn’t, don’t tell them to do exactly what you would do. That is, keep their personality in mind as you’re telling them what they should do.
- Try brainstorming. Throw around a few ideas and see what your friend likes the sound of. They won’t follow any advice that they don’t agree with.
- Be honest. You don’t have to sugar-coat anything to spare your friend’s feelings, but you don’t need to be a jerk if you think the problem they are having is their own fault. You have to be supportive and true to them.
- Be prepared for your friend to not take your advice. It may suck or be frustrating to see your friend throw away your great advice, but remember, that’s all it was; advice. Your friend doesn’t have to do exactly what you told them to do. You are just supposed to be their source of support; that’s what a good friend is.
