Leaders guide: Why People Reject Great Advice (Then Secretly Use It Anyway)
Leaders guide: Why People Reject Great Advice (Then Secretly Use It Anyway)
Ever poured your heart into advice, only to have the recipient laugh in your face… then secretly use every single suggestion?
It’s the ultimate paradox. Frustrating? Absolutely. But it’s also the clearest indicator that you’re delivering genuine, potent value.
A couple of weekends ago, my spouse shared a “new shortcut” he’d discovered on our drive home. Naturally, we took it and it was blocked. I laughed, we took the long way, and the moment passed.
This morning, in a rush for an important meeting, guess which route I impulsively chose? His blocked shortcut.
I am guilty. You are guilty. We all do this.
When you offer a powerful suggestion, and the other person scoffs, it’s rarely about you. It’s almost always one of three things:
• The Fluster: They feel momentarily foolish for not having thought of it themselves. Laughter is a quick, defensive shield against their own surprise.
• The Guard: They are protecting their ego or their current way of doing things. Change is hard, even when it’s good.
• The Seed: The idea is so good, it immediately takes root. The outward rejection is just surface noise while their mind starts processing your brilliant concept.
Your Leadership Mandate
As a leader, a mentor, or a giver of wisdom, your job is not to be validated in the moment it is to deposit value.
Do not shrink your wisdom to match their temporary reaction.
• Be You: Trust your instinct, expertise, and unique perspective.
• Be Kind: Lead with generosity, not an expectation of immediate praise.
• Give Value: Drop those seeds of insight freely and consistently.
The reward is not the instant “thank you.”
The reward is the result they achieve later because of your input. Your value will always be used.
Your mission is simple: Lead with conviction. Give the advice, make the suggestion, and drop the gem. Ignore the initial laugh; focus on the impact.
What is one piece of advice you’ve been hesitant to share lately? Drop it in the comments and commit to sharing it this week! Let’s lead powerfully.
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