Which Version Of Myself?

I was driving in my car the other day, listening to music piped from my iPod as usual. It's set to shuffle so I always get a changing playlist. Suddenly a tune from David Byrne, an old favorite, came bursting into my consciousness. Now, for those of you too young to remember, David was the brilliant founding member of critically acclaimed "Talking Heads". He is a pure artist know for his quirky sound, mind bending lyrics and collaborations with the likes of Twyla Tharp and Brian Eno. And, if you don't know who they are, then I am afraid you missed a lot of the "New Age," experimental sound and modern dance history.

Anyway, back to my story. So David in his classical style belts out the line: "I am just an advertisement for a version of myself"!

I need better advice!

I come to my advisors warts and all.

My first advisor points out all the warts that can be seen. I have learned nothing new.

The second advisor points out that some of my warts are ugly. I have not learned anything really new, but am now self-conscious.

The third advisor points out my visible and hidden warts. At least I have learned something new, but have not gotten closer to value.

A fourth advisor points out that some of my warts are deadly. Again I have learned something new, but am now scared out of my wits.

The fifth advisor points out visible and invisible warts, identifies those that make me look worse, and those that are deadly and leads me down a path of surgical removal and repair.

Why is it that in business or personal affairs, when we bring someone a proposal or come looking for advice we get one of the first four advisors? Why is it so rare for our advisors to not only diagnose, but recommend a corrective path? That is what a great advisor does.

To be really helpful, contribute a solution, don't just point out what's wrong!