The Four Types of Advice That Can Make or Break Your Business

_{[Read time: 4.5 minutes]}

When you’re eager to grow and don’t have the answers, even the worst advice can seem like gold — something I wish hadn't taken years to figure out.

When I first launched my solo consulting business, I was so desperate for guidance that I mistakenly saw every piece of advice as an opportunity for success.

I talked to a lot of people directly.

But I also took indirect advice.

I watched YouTube videos, read books, reviewed social media, and listened to podcasts.

I formed two critical realizations:

1. Good advisors are engaged listeners, not confident talkers

2. When advice isn’t given to you directly, the voice inside your head becomes the advisor (and all it does is talk…)

So, to sort through the good and the bad, I started to look at the structure of advice:

• What does it sound like?

• What is it designed to achieve?

• What should I consider (when listening to it)?

• How can I use it?

Ultimately, I identified 4 types (each with its strengths and limitations).

Almost immediately, I was better able to cut through the noise.

1 — Copy & Paste (advice)

Copy & Paste advice offers a straightforward solution based on someone else's success, but it may not fully consider your unique circumstances.

Sounds like: “I achieved XYZ outcome, and here’s how I did it…”

Designed to achieve: It advises through achievement by repackaging what worked for them (to you).

What to consider: This advice assumes that the advisor’s problem and situation are yours, too.

It overlooks your perspective, circumstances, and experience level (all of which are crucial to achieving similar results).

While this type can be simple and compelling, it is not always easy to ‘copy and paste’ into your situation (and get the same results).

How to use it: Use it when you need a quick solution to a low-risk problem or to learn the fundamentals for solving similar problems.

If nothing else, it provides a blueprint to establish momentum (and stop overthinking).

My real-life advice mistake: When I started, I connected with local business owners to get their take on landing customers.

If their sales blueprint worked for them, why couldn’t I apply lessons to me, too?

It didn’t because I don’t operate locally; I operate remotely. I couldn’t just copy & paste.

It's obvious now, but not then.

2 — In Your Shoes (advice)

In Your Shoes, advice is hypothetical. It puts them in your shoes (which isn’t real).

Sounds like: “If I were you, I would…”

Designed to achieve: It advises through their experience (not yours).

What to consider: While this advice focuses on the problem and circumstances, it can ignore your perspective and capabilities (making it less relevant).

This advice is also the least risky (for the advisor) because it’s all about them, not you…so approach it with caution.

How to use it: Use it when you need to gather knowledge but be ready to ask follow-up questions. Specifically, identify ‘what ifs’ since the advisor is ‘pretending’ to be in your situation.

My real-life advice mistake: I tried to take the advice of successful business leaders with decades of experience. While their intentions were good, their advice didn’t translate to me — because I was just starting.

They were too deep and didn’t fit in my shoes.

3 — Perspective (advice)

Perspective advice is tailored to your circumstances but requires careful consideration to ensure it truly fits.

Sounds like: “I think you should…”

Designed to achieve: it advises through awareness (of you).

What to consider: This advice heavily relies on the advisor understanding your circumstances, experience, and situation.

While super valuable (because it's the most well-rounded), you need to push for more clarity if it doesn’t make sense or fit.

This advice is often the riskiest (for the advisor) because it’s all about you. If it doesn’t work out, it’s partially their fault.

How to use it:

• Immediate use: it becomes a foundation to stand on (especially if inexperienced in the area of advice)

• Future use: add it to an inventory of concrete examples or case studies to draw from later

My real-life advice mistake: Advice may be good, but that doesn’t always make it right. Getting the right advice requires knowing the right level of nuance about the person and the situation.

That takes some time. I was impatient, so I accidentally took some perspectives at face value.

Now get second and third opinions (or just be more patient with perspectives).

4 — Choose Your Option (advice)

Choose Your Option advice presents possible outcomes, empowering you to make the final decision, but it demands a high level of personal responsibility.

Sounds like: “If you choose this option, then that will probably happen…”

Designed to achieve: It advises through coaching.

What to consider: This advice requires the advisor to see the big picture and offer insights without explicitly telling you what to do.

It’s objective (good) but places the most significant responsibility on you (eek).

How to use it: Use it for complex, strategic decisions that require deep thought.

This approach is my favorite, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best option. Sometimes, I need the other three types of advice to complement it.

My real-life advice mistake: I used to lump coaching and consulting into the same bucket. But later realized they were different.

Coaching is about enabling an outcome, while consulting is about driving an outcome.

I’ve worked with consultants when I needed coaches (and vice versa).

I’ve learned what can make or break my business by categorizing advice into these four types.

The next time you receive advice, take a moment to categorize it and decide how to best use it to achieve your goals.

Thank you for reading.

— Peter

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