Hillis Takes Medical Advice From His Agent, Who Do You Take Advice From?

I am following football a bit more this year because of my fantasy football team (I am 3-2-0 right now) and one of my players is Peyton Hillis, the Running Back for the Browns. So leading up to week 3 he didn’t practice because he wasn’t feeling well, I thought for sure he would start. I mean as a recruiter I have had people call out of work for a paper cut but a 6 foot whatever 250lb NFL player, he was playing… or not.  When Hillis didn’t take the field on Sunday, first of all it was a good thing I did not start him, but more importantly, I was quite shocked that he did not play. Don’t we teach even the most elementary employees that they should show up to work and then be sent home or to sit on the bench?

The story continues with something that has recently come about. Hillis was questioned about being ill and he made the following statement:

“By the way I was feeling, I just needed somebody else’s opinion,” said Hillis. “If [agent Kenneard Maguire] would have said, ‘Peyton, you probably can do your thing,’ I’d have listened to that. But he is my agent and he does help me out and I think we made the right choice, because I was definitely not healthy enough to play.”

Who takes medical advice from their agent? Would you go to your dentist and ask the best way to get a promotion? We all have advisors, mentors, coaches, judge, guides, referees, friends, etc… but they each have a role. Let’s be honest, if we need love and support we go to our family or friends, if we need a critique, we go to our advisor or mentor, each person has a different point of  view and knows us differently than others.

Peyton Hillis has just slapped his team in the face in public with his statement. Most people mean well with their advice, but we have to remember that everyone has a motivation. Some are motivated emotionally or financially to see us succeed while others feel threatened by another’s success and then there is another group, the naysayer.

There is a big difference between a naysayer: someone who is negative offering minimal to no advice or guidance but plenty of negativity surrounding an idea. Then there is the person who makes what sound like negative statements but offer an alternative to help you succeed at what you are inquiring. The person could be a naysayer because they are not equipped to assist in this particular area.

Next time you are met with a naysayer?

• ask them what they would do – typically naysayers like their ideas better than yours and it doesn’t mean you have to go with it but it does turn the conversation in to something a bit more positive and you may take a tip or 2 away
• challenge them politely and ask why they are thinking the way that they are
• ask if they have seen this before and what was their experience
• ask if they have any ideas that they can share that might help you move to a next step or in a good direction

The bottom line, when we are making decisions, we do want to ask for others opinions, thoughts, take, suggestions, etc… We do this because it is good to brainstorm but we must be mindful when we are searching for acceptance or even worse, when we are looking for someone, anyone to tell us that they aren’t sure of our idea. Be mindful of not only whom you are asking for advice but what your motivations are behind your questioning.