Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
I am often asked by candidate attorneys or young attorneys as to what advice I would give them. I am not quite sure why they necessarily ask me for advice, but I am always happy to give somebody my advice, although that does not make it accurate or correct! One of the things I always say to people is to know what your limits are and to surround yourself with people who have more knowledge than you in those fields.
I have probably two people whose advice I rely on, on different issues, and that is apart from the advice that my wife gives me on every issue, and that would be my programmer and one of my advocates. I have never been afraid to acknowledge that some people are far cleverer than I am at certain things, and I would rather seek advice from them, on things they know much more about than me, before making a decision. In that regard I think too many people in the legal profession think they are masters of all fields of law and can give advice on all issues. Ego, or a lack of perception of one’s strengths and weaknesses can lead to people giving inappropriate advice and people proceeding with cases that they should leave alone and never be involved with in the first place.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 28-Jul-14
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Comments
Elektra said:
on Thursday 31-Jul-14 09:14 AM
I definitely ask questions when I am unsure about something, this does not make you stupid, it shows you are open to learning. Till the day you die, you will still not know everything and will continue to learn something new everyday. I do try surround myself with people who obviously know more than I and can help me along the way. No harm in asking I always say.
Yolandi P said:
on Thursday 31-Jul-14 07:42 AM
I am very quick to admit if I am unsure about anything. When I am unsure about something I Google it but of course you have to consider that not all info in the internet is correct so it is important to ensure that it is a reliable source that you get your information from.
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 29-Jul-14 09:49 AM
You once said you must do what you are good at that was the best advice ever and I think when you ask questions gives you more information it doesnt mean you are stupid
Alexis said:
on Tuesday 29-Jul-14 09:30 AM
If I am unsure of something I will ask. there is no reason to not, and rather do it right the first time round than making a mess of things
Brenda said:
on Tuesday 29-Jul-14 09:21 AM
I am always very careful who i ask advice from, there are people around me that are far more clever than I am, but that does not necessarily mean I will take advice from them. My theory will be, there is no question too silly to ask (with reason of course). If i take advice from someone, it will from someone who I respect and admire and someone who will not look down on me and laugh if it is in their opinion a "stupid" question. People who are willing to help without putting shame on others, and making others look bad, are the people who give the best advice.
Lucretia said:
on Tuesday 29-Jul-14 08:59 AM
I am a firm believer in taking advise from people you respect for what they stand for. If someone has an overrated opinion about themselves, their advise is the last advise I take because, inevitably they think they know best, egotistical advise I avoid.
Brumilde said:
on Tuesday 29-Jul-14 08:56 AM
Knowledge is power. One cannot know everything there is to know in the whole world. Im never to ashamed to ask, better be sure that sorry they say
Bianca Els said:
on Tuesday 29-Jul-14 08:53 AM
My opinion on this is to ask for advise on everything you want to know, and look stupid once. Than always wonder and look stupid for the rest of your life, by making the same mistake again and again. I have to admit I will rather seek advise from a woman than a man, reason being a man always want to sound clever in front of a woman, where a woman will give you the straight forward answer without a long boring story!
Melissa said:
on Tuesday 29-Jul-14 08:48 AM
You can never go wrong with advice from an experienced person, because they've been there and experienced all the things in life that we still have to learn
Kaylee said:
on Monday 28-Jul-14 02:08 PM
I think that you should never be too arrogant to accept advice from anyone. I am one to always ask questions. You will never in your life know everything. I think I probably drive our advocates mad always asking questions, but I have learnt so much from them. As for life experience always ask your parents, they have probably been through it already and can give you the proper advice. I also learn so much from my friends, I generally have friends in so many different industries (none of my friends are in law strangely enough), that broaden my horizons and keep my mind open to new things. I agree, always know your weaknesses.
Nikita said:
on Monday 28-Jul-14 02:05 PM
Asking for advice from the right people is the only way you grow as an individual!
Bianca R said:
on Monday 28-Jul-14 09:28 AM
It is always beneficial to ask for advice from those who are more experienced than yourself in certain fields. If you do not ask, your knowledge will not grow and you will not grow. I think it is extremely important for each person to be growing their knowledge on a daily basis, it may be different knowledge you are gaining each day but as long as you are growing as a person and growing your knowledge, I would say, you're living!
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
