Our best guidance might be direct or behind the scenes. Choosing correctly may make the difference in how we can help another or be helped.

Service providers have a choice in terms of how much structure to establish. We can let people come to us, ask us to do something, and do it. Or we can educate deeply to give the customer the tools to decide what they want and then help them to execute. At execution we can direct them through a clear process on their next steps, or be more hands off: “contact me when you are ready for the next step” vs. “let’s schedule your next appointment in 3 weeks and between now and then you should be doing A, B, and C.

How can you best serve others? And even if not providing a paid service, we all work with others in some ways and can decide on our interactions.