Prefer a practical approach?

Five ways to work it through.

When you want one clear line of thinking instead of a council of mentors, pick an approach. Each one is a short set of plain principles. Every principle says when it helps, where it stops working, and gives an example.

Power & influenceWhen you need credit, a decision, or a better deal. How to get credit, a decision or a better deal Make your work visible · Find out who decides · Know your backup plan · Match your response to the problem Courage & uncertaintyWhen you have to act and you cannot be sure. How to decide when you can’t be sure Ask if you can undo it · Name the exact risk · Try a small step first · Set a limit before you start · Choose a pace you can keep Difficult conversationsWhen something needs saying and you are dreading it. How to plan a difficult conversation Start with what happened · Ask for their side · Ask for one clear change · Say what you will do · Pick the right time and place Long-term strategyWhen today’s choice will still matter in a year. How to make a decision that still makes sense in a year Decide what matters most · Ask what happens next · Keep a good way out · Pick a date to check again Clear thinkingWhen you cannot tell facts from guesses. How to separate facts from assumptions Separate facts from guesses · Look for another explanation · Ask what would change your mind · Compare options the same way

In the app

Describe your situation. Pick an approach.

Counsel uses the one or two principles that fit what you wrote, and ends with one next step you can save.

Download on theApp Store

These principles were written and reviewed for Counsel in plain language. They are not quotes from a book.