Who Do YOU listen to?

This is a first for me. It is a “post in progress”. You’ll get to see the idea get “baked” and if you’d like, participate in it as well. Not that I don’t have an opinion on the topic…I have plenty opinions on any number of issues….but I have not come to a firm conclusion just quite yet…..and I’d like to hear from you…so here goes.

A few years ago Jim Leyland of the Detroit Tigers was asked if he listens to the advice that baseball (and specifically Tiger) fans so readily give on talk shows, in newspaper columns, and on sports message boards. He responded that, “I manage for the fans, not with the fans, and that a manager that manages with the fans, soon becomes a fan”.

I enjoyed his comments because they speak to the role of leadership…..however on the flip side of the coin they got me to thinking about all of the advice we as entrepreneurs receive….advice from friends, family, advisors and experts. Many are well intentioned and care about our success. Some we don’t know but are experts in their field.

So the topic I am seeking opinions on is how do YOU select which advice to listen to and which to ignore? How do YOU make sure you are not listening to those that tell you what you want to hear? How do YOU keep from second guessing yourself? Does it depend on the topic? Is there any one person who provides you most of the answers? How do YOU balance the advisor’s motivation with the value of the advice they give? How do you make sure you are managing for the fans and not with the fans?

If you have thoughts you’d like to share we would very much like to hear them. You can do so by submitting a message to this post. If you’d just like to watch the idea unfold you are welcome to do that as well. Oh, after I have received all of the input I’ll give you my “informed opinion” as well. I’m sure we will all learn a bit. I know I will. In any event it should be thought provoking.

I look forward to hearing from you and I’ll be back to you soon.

Steve MacGill

Steve is the co-founder of PeerSight. PeerSight is the pioneer in virtual Peer Advisory Boards. We provide the platform business advisors use to deliver virtual peer advisory boards to their clients

 

Comments

[Me]

Becky,

Same for me. Not my husband, but my wife. She's a great listener and brings sound, grounded advice with a kind heart.

Steve, you and a few others are trusted advisors. My Peersight board, too.

But, I find ultimately it's a process to make me listen quietly to myself. This could sound borderline obsessive (ok, maybe, I am). But I find I get back on track A. listening to my advisors; B. listening quietly to myself to catch what I've been missing.

That's usually a process of getting away from the desk, away from the noise, going for a run, a ride, a trip, a walk, taking a nap...shoot, watching Law & Order...collecting/hearing my own thoughts and starting all over again.