Are You a Guardian Angel OR a Devil’s Advocate?
Guardian angel or a devil’s advocate?
You might think that’s a clever turn of a phrase, but it goes deeper than that.
In most scenarios, a devil’s advocate
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sits on the opposite psychological side of the table.
asks questions to find and clarify possible risks and problems.
thinks from the point of view of the business.
puts the onus for the thinking on those answering the questions.
A guardian angel
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sits on the same psychological side of the table.
asks questions to find, clarify, and construct viable solutions to possible risks and problems.
thinks from the point of view of the business and the customers.
shares the onus for the thinking with those answering the questions.
The devil wants to save the business from harm. He or she deconstructs to find something that could wrong. The devil’s on a quest to find the problem stop the situation before something is lost.
The angel wants to meet and exceed the needs of the business and the customers. He or she deconstructs to find and fix the anything that could go wrong. An angel is on a quest to invent a new solution so that something can be won.
Which one are you?
How do you know?
I’m both - as each situation dictates which ‘guy’ will be more valuable NOW.
Even in pioneering a new approach for my company, there’s times when it’s easy to see why both would be welcome at the table simultaneously.
However, without having the Devil there for final inspection, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable. Being customer/client conscious is one thing - making it work forces real world thinking, which in my experience, doesn’t always come with the Angel package.
Comment by Jeff Brown — October 4, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
I’m not sure I can agree with you. I think you’re taking issue with the word angel. If an angel is a guardian looking out for the business AND the customer. An angel works toward finding the solution that mitigates risk rather than leaving the problem sitting certainly one solution would be to say this is a “no go.”
Comment by Liz Strauss — October 4, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
If that’s true - they’re the same person with a split personality. Either way, it works.
Comment by Jeff Brown — October 4, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
Nah, One is me the other is you.
Comment by Liz Strauss — October 4, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Uncle!
Comment by Jeff Brown — October 5, 2007 @ 12:51 am
Hi Liz (nice new design ;-))
In our two-man/woman-band business one is the Devil’s advocate, one is the Guardian Angel. One coming up with new ideas to push the business forward further, one questioning new ideas and mostly seeing loads of ‘bears’ on the road forward.
Together we find the best combination. So, both are needed
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Comment by Karin H. — October 5, 2007 @ 3:59 am
Hi Jeff!
It’s about time that you recognize me as a member of the family!
Comment by Liz Strauss — October 5, 2007 @ 4:38 am
Hi Karin!
That’s a great description of how the two might work together. Though I think that every person might have a definition of their own.
Comment by Liz Strauss — October 5, 2007 @ 4:40 am
[...] Are You a Guardian Angel OR a Devil’s Advocate? [...]
Pingback by SOB Business Cafe 10-05-07 - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. — October 5, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Hi Liz,
First comment for me over here. I like the new place; you look like you are thinking some incredibly important thoughts! I think the key differentiator is your notion that the devil’s advocate “puts the onus for the thinking on those answering the questions”. Those people can be marginally useful at the tail end of the process, but they quickly alienate themselves from the rest of the team.
Instead of someone who just says “that stinks”, I’d much rather have someone who says “Have you thought about the potentially malodorous consequences of that? What if we did X instead? How do you think that would work?”
Mike
Comment by Mike DeWitt — October 5, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
Hi Mike!
Sorry it took a while to get back . . .
Most “devil’s advocates” that I know do just as you said — look for the holes without trying to fill them. Their role becomes “approver” rather than “partner.” Though, as Jeff said, a great advocate for the devil wouldn’t do that. I find most aren’t that good.
Comment by Liz Strauss — October 6, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Not a problem, my friend! Advocates for the devil are always up to mischief. Guardian angels are interested in virtuous cycles!
Mike
Comment by Mike DeWitt — October 6, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
Hi Mike!
Ironically, I was at a meeting where I was talking about how people think I’m more of a saint than I am.
Comment by Liz Strauss — October 6, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
Wow, how ironic that I think that, too!
Comment by Mike DeWitt — October 8, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
That’s so funny!
Comment by Liz Strauss — October 8, 2007 @ 12:30 pm