August 16 2021
By: Shawn M. Galloway
Advice is a powerful form of feedback, when it is asked for. When asking for the opinions of employees and management on how best to improve something, is the feedback you receive helpful or is more like criticism? Influence expert and psychology professor, Robert Cialdini, has a powerful recommendation. Having spent several decades on the science of persuasion, to ascertain what leads people to say yes, ask for advice.
On CNBC, Jade Scipioni interviewed Cialdini, where he offered, "When you ask for someone's opinion, you get a critic." His research shows that when you ask for opinions, there is a psychological impact, mentally prompting the person to "step back from you." However, when asking for their advice, "they take a step towards you."
Language shapes culture, so the words used are important. Try this small change in vernacular the next time you are seeking involvement or ownership in efforts to improve both performance and culture.
"If it's free, it's advice; if you pay for it, it's counseling; if you can use either one, it's a miracle." — Jack Adams
Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, is an expert in safety excellence. With almost thirty years of experience, he is a highly sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. Shawn has become a trusted partner to leading organizations across various industries worldwide. He ranks in the top 1% of the most prolific writers in his field, having authored over 500 articles and several bestselling books. He also launched the world's first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence©. As a recognized authority in safety, Shawn has received awards such as being named among the Top 50 People Who Most Influence EHS and a Top 10 Speaker, among others.
He is a regular guest on Bloomberg, Fox News, The Daily Mail, Dubai One, U.S. News & World Report, Sirius Business Radio, Wharton Business Daily, and leading safety magazines and podcasts. Shawn also serves as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Forbes Business Council, and Fast Company Executive Board, enabling his influence to shape safety thinking and strategy at the executive level.
