Is Advice Outside Your Industry Helpful?

A common objection we get about the advisory board concept…..regardless of whether we are talking about PeerSight or an informal board arrangement is; “I don’t know what I can gain from a group of people who know nothing about my industry.”

To tell the truth my first reaction is to get frustrated and ask myself how it can be so clear to some and so difficult for others. I mean after all how did the famous phrases “none of us is as smart as all of us”, “wisdom comes from the counsel of many” and of course “I get by with a little help from my friends”, ever become popular? Do they just apply to non business aspects of human need?

I want to respond with all the logical arguments about how we (small business leaders) are limited in our individual perspectives; how much of leadership and growing a business is common among all businesses;  how we all need help to make sure the short term actions fit with our long term objectives;  how we all need someone to hold us accountable; how we need others to challenge us; and how only other entrepreneurs can combine this perspective with the keen understanding of the personal pressures and challenges small business leaders face daily. Have I hidden my beliefs well? Sorry, that’s frustration talking.

But after a few moments of thought I begin to think about the fact that these are not logical objections. They are emotional and to be truthful I am not sure what the emotional barriers are. I could guess. Perhaps it is the American belief that I can pull myself up by my bootstraps and that it is weakness to need others (actually that one resonates with me) or I don’t want others to get behind the image that I have created, (I resemble that remark too). As in many things I am not sure….I’m just guessing. So where does that leave us? Here is what I would like to do but I would like to hear back from you if you have an opinion. Leave us a comment. We would like to learn from you.

Thanks

Steve

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.