Taking Advice

https://odb.org/MY/2022/02/16/wise-advice

I think in life we realise that it is not always what is said but who says it. And it doesn’t matter what is the context – it is quite a similar situation whether at work, in school or in church. Who says what matters more than what was said. I think that is because any idea or suggestion must be carried with credibility and thus the person with a reputation carrying it brings credibility, realibility and a certain standard to the table.

Thus, will we listen to the suggestion or idea of a subordinate or a younger person? Or conversely, as a younger person in position of authority, will we listen to the suggestion or advice of an older subordinate. In today’s ODB’s life example, the Fire General chose to listen to the advice of a firefighter named Remi and as a result saved the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. In 1 King 12:8, Rehoboam, who succeeded Solomon, refused to listen to the counsel of his elders and as a result, he lost most of Israel to Jeroboam.

In the Asian context, if we are in position of authority and we listen to those under us, whether young or old, we may “lose face” as not being a true leader. This is because there is this perception (perhaps a misconception) that the boss knows all, he or she should be the most knowledgeable in the team. Perhaps that is the traditional approach. In the contemporary context, with the younger ones being more exposed through the information highway and they being constantly online, there is likelihood that new and fresh ideas will come from them. Thus it is silly and a waste of resource to disregard the views of those under us, especially the younger ones. Every idea or suggestion should be evaluated on its merit, rather than solely based on the experience or expertise of the person carrying it. There is merit in credibility of the person but it is also right to evaluate an idea on its own strength.

I think the lesson for today is we should learn to take advice, whether from God as we seek Him out or from those around and under us at work or in church or school. The contemporary context is to work as a team although we may be the leader. Take all advice and evaluate each on its merit but in the end, we make the decision and take the responsibility for our decision. We learn as we decide, even if we make mistakes along the way. I take the cue from the billionaire owner of my organisation. I know for a fact that when he needs to make major decisions, he never listens to only one person or one adviser, even if that person is his right hand man. He had multiple advisers and consultants. In the end, the decision is his to make but he listens to advice.