Learn to successfully ask for and process advice

Learn to successfully ask for and process adviceLearn to successfully ask for and process adviceNo matter how much of an expert of you are in your chosen career, sometimes you need outside perspective. Im endlessly surprised though, at who people choose to rely on though even more so when they pose very specific or sensitive questions to their social networks.For one thing, you never really know who your true friends or lurking frenemies are and whether their advice will be designed to help or hinder your goals. For another, random advice and conflicting ideas can cloud your journey instead of clarifying it. So, what should you do if you need help trying to figure something out?Create a trusted communityInstead of posting extremely personal details into the ether, figure out a way to present it only to the best and most potential helpful group. Alice Labaton, the founder of MyMakeupBrushes comes from an extremely tightknit, in some ways isolated community that has been hugely influen tial in every aspect of her life. For that reason, when starting her business, she welches always looking for some sense of community. I felt like I was failing in the entrepreneur community. On the flipside, when tapping into her existing community, she said I felt that some of the people I encountered werent the right people because they werent of the world.Labaton joined various entrepreneurial ventures and searched until she felt she found one with a safe environment, where you can ask any question at any given time. Shes currently president of an accountability group made up of a small circle of trusted like-minded entrepreneurs. Its four or five people. Were very open. Were all here for the same purpose. If you feel youre falling short, well help.Use your own filterEven in an extremely trusted group - and even if youre the one in charge, its important to stay true to your own goals and specific needs. In todays highly sensitive environment, its important that leaders specific ally solicit, listen to, and be grateful for diverse opinions, said Deloitte principal Joni Swedlund. Especially since we apply our own filters to any situations. It doesnt matter what stage or position youre at, trust your wohl overall.Know your valueHeres the thing, when you ask for advice, you admit vulnerability and show others that you cant or choose not to do it all on your own. It took me maybe five years to be confident in being an entrepreneur, said Labaton. Some people own it from day one. It took me time to get there. I was proud of myself, I just didnt know how to accept praise - this is a good thing, this is who I am, this is what I do.It wasnt until she started trying to promote her business that Labaton finally realized shed been going about it all wrong. I watched myself on video - I was blushing and stammering. At one point she realized Im amazing, my product is amazing. Labaton was challenged to create a new elevator pitch, and the more she heard it, the more she believed it. When she asks for advice now it isnt born of insecurity, but rather soliciting input to help move her company forward.Maintain perspectiveWhen receiving advice from others, Swedlund believes that even those in leadership positions do well to maintain perspective in determining what types of advice resonate the best. And it doesnt matter what stage youre at because lets face it - not all advice is good, let alone wise. Even if you can glean a nugget of something valuable from someone elses input, it will have been worthwhile to ask.Use good advice twiceLabaton was recently approached by a major international corporation for a potential partnership. I know Im good enough, but theyre pushing me to do something I want to do that I wouldnt have done. Labaton sought advice from friends and colleagues in various careers to understand how best to proceed. Even if it doesnt work out, she knows the next one will. Im making this viable so that when the next company comes to me, Im ready.Say thank youIf someone ends up giving you valuable advice, follow up and let them know how it went. Swedlund says Dont forget the importance of thanking your colleagues both personally and publicly for their counsel. It both validates their input and gives them credit for their insights. It also makes them more inclined to help out the next time around.