I stopped giving advice at networking events

It felt utterly bizarre. After all, it’s my business.

For years I wandered into these gatherings, always looking forward to sharing my experience. Someone would tell me about their new venture, and after a moment I’d be guiding them through an agenda of what to change and how to fix it: the website, the content, the brand position in the market.

They would smile, and I would move on to the next person. Most of the time nothing happened. No collaboration, no relationship.

A new rule

A few months ago, I tried something different. I created a personal rule: I would not give advice unless it was requested twice.

Instead, I asked, “What would make this year a win for you?” And rather than telling me about their businesses, people began to share their problems and what they were seeking help with.

One person even called me the week after we met to tell me that I had helped them, simply because I asked the right question. They had several issues going on in their business that they had not shared with anyone else.

I still give plenty of advice, but now I have earned the right to give it.

What is one question you could ask that would change the conversation?