How to ask for advice

Drucker, in his book ‘The Effective Executive,’ points out that the more senior a person is, the less time he has to himself. Since that person is also paid more, time is at a premium.

So if I waylay him and ask for advice, he will not be very keen on doing so – not because he does not want to, but because he needs to shift gears, listen to me, think of an answer or answers and then discuss them with me.

Furthermore, do I really need to be spoon fed? Does it create a good impression about me?

What I would do is the following:

Step 1: Do my research

take the problem, analyse it, come up with 3 alternatives (1. do nothing, 2.do something radical and drastic, 3. something in the middle)

for each of the alternatives, understand the consequences. I need to remember that there is no right or wrong decision, there are paths and there are consequences.

I try to have at least 2 positive and 2 negative consequences for each alternative

I try an get one more ‘out-of-the-box’ alternative and its consequences

I then evaluate each one of them and come up with the most plausible alternative

Step 2: Find an opportune moment

I try to find a suitable time when the mentor is amenable to spend 5-10 minutes with me. This may need a prior appointment. I should be prepared to tell him the following:

I have a problem which is ….(one sentence)

The impact of this problem on me (or whatever) is ….(one sentence)

I have come up with some solutions and I need his advice on whether I am taking the right step / approach. I do not tell him the solutions right now.

The advantage of this approach is that my mentor does have to waste his time. He knows I have done my homework, and I am coming to him for ratification. This allows him to give advice based on some foundation and my line of thought. It also tells him that I understand the value of his time.

Step 3: Prepare for the meeting

I make a mind map or a set of slides outlining the problem, the constraints, the assumptions, the alternatives and the consequences.

I print this out. This is dicey. I personally do not like to print and waste paper unless it is something to be kept for posterity. However, most seniors i know like to touch a piece of paper and scribble their comments on them and give them back. I typically ask the mentor what he would prefer.

Step 4: Meet, present, take advice and get out, fast

I do not need to say more.

Step 5: Give feedback

This is important. After I have done what I decided to do, I send my mentor a small email or a handwritten note explaining what happened and thanking him for his help. I cannot emphasise this more.