How to politely decline unsolicited workplace advice
Getting feedback is a part of every job, but sometimes it’s not helpful, pertinent or particularly useful. Here’s how to sidestep comments that miss the mark — without starting a fight.
No matter where it comes from, unsolicited advice often goes awry.
It’s one thing to receive feedback when you’ve asked for it. It’s quite another to receive unsolicited advice from an officious co-worker or your mother-in-law.
Even worse is when the “advisor” demands detailed explanations of your decisions and argues with you if you don’t follow their suggestions. This behavior can stall your projects, waste time, and derail your self-confidence.
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