If there's one thing that riles me up as a marketer, its dealing with unsolicited advice from people who think they've cracked the code on marketing.
I'm sure this does not just happen to marketers. If it's happen to you, don't you just find it annoying when someone who is not in your specialty tries to school you on how to do your job? It's only human to feel offended when this happens because it may come across as though they doubt your abilities or don't respect your expertise.
This can trigger feelings of frustration or defensiveness.
So, how should you handle these situation like pros without losing your cool?
Here are some tips that have worked for me:
- Breathe before responding
One thing I've learned about receiving unsolicited advise or even negative feedback, it doesn't help if you react immediately. It almost always turns out badly. Take a deep breath before you respond. This gives you a moment to collect your thoughts and respond calmly. It helps prevent knee-jerk reactions and ensures that your response is professional and composed.
- There is a positive intention motivating every behavior
One foundational belief or assumption I've learned from my Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) training I go back to often is that there is positive intention motivating every behaviour, good or bad. When someone offers unsolicited advice or negative feedback, it's often because they genuinely want to help or feel involved. Recognise this intention and be open to the feedback.
- Listen actively
This in my opinion, is the most difficult but necessary part of communicating with someone giving you unsolicited advise: active listening.
Listen with the intention to understand, not to defend. It involves paying close attention to the speaker and paying attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues. Active listening is important because it helps you process the information and respond in a more thoughtful manner.
- Educate, explain and use data
Briefly explain the rationale behind your strategies and decisions. Show that your choices are well-informed and not random. One thing I've learned recently from my boss is that we shouldn't keep data to ourselves but use data to back up our decisions. Facts and figures can often speak louder than opinions.
- Set your boundaries
Boundaries are your best friend. Make it clear what your role is and what you're responsible for. Let everyone know that while you appreciate their ideas, the final call ultimately fall within the marketing team. This helps nip unwelcome interference in the bud.
- Stay cool and confident
When someone tries to meddle, stay cool and confident. Never let frustration show. Calmly reiterate your plan and explain the reasoning behind it. Your confidence will help you manage the situation better.
- Learn from every interaction
While unsolicited advise can be annoying, you need to view the interaction as a learning opportunity. Sometimes it does offer a fresh perspective. Be open to feedback and be willing to adapt. This will not only improve how you action on your marketing initiatives but also show the ability to handle criticism constructively.
Marketing is both an art and a science, and most people see the creative side and think it's easier than it is but any feedback given, regardless of delivery style, may benefit us if its constructive and valid.
