How to Tell Someone You Don’t Need Their Advice in an Email

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Those who give advice are often trying to be kind and share their knowledge with a person whom they think could benefit from it. That being said, sometimes, you would really rather not receive advice about particular topics or from certain people.

If you would like to have someone stop offering you advice, tell them firmly but kindly. The point of this message is to impress upon the recipient that you know what you’re doing and/or already have a plan in place to do it, so confidence is key.

Here’s how to tell someone you don’t need their advice in an email.

How to Tell Someone You Don’t Need Their Advice

First, consider your relationship to the person offering advice. Is your relationship professional or personal? How close are you two?

You’ll also want to consider whether or not the advice is being given in good faith; observe the tone in which the advice is offered and what the contents of the advice are. Good faith advice is usually non-accusatory and comes from a place of genuine concern.

  • Advice in good faith: I’ve heard that taking an iron supplement can help improve focus. You might consider talking to your doctor about it if you’re struggling with that.
  • Advice in bad faith: You know, a competent person would check in with their doctor for help instead of wallowing. Have you tried iron? It’s good for focus, and you clearly need more of that.

Next, draft an appropriate greeting for your relationship. Explain that while you appreciate the attempt to offer help, you’re more than capable of completing whatever task it is on your own. You might choose to include some examples of your competence here to prove your point.

If you need to, such as in cases of advice in bad faith, consider adding a few lines explaining that you will not reply to or heed further advice given. Once you’ve said your piece, simply sign off politely.

Email Templates to Say You Don’t Need Advice

Here’s what an email to a personal acquaintance giving advice in good faith might look like.

SUBJECT: Regarding Your Advice.

Hi [Name],

I appreciate your trying to help with [Issue] by offering advice on [Topic]. I’m confident that I can resolve this problem on my own, especially considering [Reason]. So, I’m going to try my way first, and if I do need help, I know exactly who I can ask.

Once again, I appreciate the thought.

Yours,

[Name]

Here’s what an email to a personal acquaintance giving advice in bad faith might look like.

SUBJECT: Your Advice Regarding [Topic].

Hi [Name],

While I understand that you only want to help by saying [Advice], I don’t think this is the best response to [Issue]. I am more than capable of resolving this problem myself, considering [Reason]. So, I will be handling this issue my own way.

Once again, I appreciate the thought.

Yours,

[Name]

Here is an extra paragraph you might add if the person has been particularly belligerent, cruel, or persistent with bad faith advice, whether they’re a business or personal acquaintance.

Though I like to believe you have the best of intentions, I cannot help but notice that your advice comes across as accusatory and derogatory. [Optional: explain how].I can’t allow myself to be spoken to in that way. As such, any further advice on this topic or similar advice in the future will be ignored.

Remember that you have a right to be respected by everyone in your life, and setting a healthy boundary like this is always okay, even if it means upsetting your friend or coworker.

 

Conor
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