Effective advice hinges on context: be direct, signal importance, share common reference points, and frame questions around immediate action, so the receiver can act without waste.
When Hiten Shah received blunt, profanity-laden feedback from an investor, the real power lay not in the words but in the context the investor created-a rare in-person meeting, an irregular demand for attention, and a willingness to change his own habits to signal importance. That moment taught Shah that context can turn ordinary advice into a catalyst for change.
He distills the practice into three habits: convey importance with irregular signals, be unapologetically direct, and use shared context that both parties understand but are not personally attached to. By meeting in person, using vivid language, and choosing a mutually known example, the advisor forced Shah to see his business differently.
From there Shah recommends concrete tactics: research the advisor beforehand, watch video clips to absorb tone and posture, speed up audio to digest more quickly, and structure meetings so real-time feedback can be integrated. He also suggests round-up introductions in group settings to surface each participant's context, and to frame every question around growth rather than motivation, using present-participle verbs that point to immediate action.
Finally, Shah stresses reserving judgment and providing a constellation of data points that let the advisor draw the right lines. Ask "what should I do next?" instead of vague requests, and keep the exchange focused on actionable steps. This approach turns advice into a rapid, low-friction lever for founders and leaders who need to move fast.
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