http://cwd.dhemery.com/2003/05/alisons_advice_advice/ Dale Emery on Leadership Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:30:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 http://cwd.dhemery.com/2003/05/alisons_advice_advice/#comment-21 John Arthur Harison Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://cwd.dhemery.com/2003/05/01/alisons_advice_advice/#comment-21 Part of my work is as a consultant to other real estate agents in our real estate brokerage office. What I've read here is a huge "AHA!" for me. It's so obvious. It's not new to me. I've had similar experiences as an advisor, but I needed this insight to remind me to recognize the value of encouraging the questioner to reflect on what they already may be thinking or have in mind. Too often I get to thinking I'm more valuable and important if I can prove that I know everything already and be the ultimate problem solver. There is a greater payoff for me though when I remember this: answering a question with a direct answer does little to empower the person asking the question. Doing as you describe here, empowers that person and is a much greater service to them and thereby all those whom they then interact with because of their greater sense of self-worth and confidence. People building is much more rewarding than question answering. Thanks for the reminder. Part of my work is as a consultant to other real estate agents in our real estate brokerage office. What I’ve read here is a huge “AHA!” for me. It’s so obvious. It’s not new to me. I’ve had similar experiences as an advisor, but I needed this insight to remind me to recognize the value of encouraging the questioner to reflect on what they already may be thinking or have in mind. Too often I get to thinking I’m more valuable and important if I can prove that I know everything already and be the ultimate problem solver. There is a greater payoff for me though when I remember this: answering a question with a direct answer does little to empower the person asking the question. Doing as you describe here, empowers that person and is a much greater service to them and thereby all those whom they then interact with because of their greater sense of self-worth and confidence. People building is much more rewarding than question answering.
Thanks for the reminder.

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