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Giving people advice is hard.
You can see the problem clearly. You can see the decisions they need to make. You may even have lived through exactly the same situation yourself. But that does not mean they are ready to hear what you have to say.
In EP 3834 of The Strong Life Project, Shaun O’Gorman explores why giving advice can be one of the most difficult parts of leadership, relationships, parenting, friendship and coaching.
The challenge is not simply knowing what to say. The real challenge is understanding the person in front of you, knowing what they actually need, and recognising that advice only works when someone is prepared to take responsibility for their own choices.
Sometimes people do not need another solution. They need someone to listen. Sometimes they need the uncomfortable truth. Sometimes they need to experience the consequences of their decisions before they are ready to change.
For leaders, coaches and anyone who genuinely wants to help others, this distinction matters.
Giving advice from your own experience can easily become projecting your solution onto someone else’s life. Effective communication requires emotional intelligence, patience, boundaries and the ability to ask better questions.
Shaun discusses the importance of knowing when to speak, when to listen and when to step back. He also explores why trying to rescue people from every difficult situation can prevent them from developing the resilience and personal responsibility they need.
Whether you are leading a team, raising children, supporting a partner, coaching clients or simply trying to help someone you care about, this episode offers a practical perspective on one of the most misunderstood parts of human behaviour.
Because sometimes the best advice is not telling someone what to do. It is helping them become capable of deciding for themselves.
