What is the Difference Between Advice and Guidance

The main difference between advice and guidance is that advice is a subjective set of instructions for a recommendation of a particular product or action, while guidance refers to an unbiased service that is given to a person or persons regarding an action.

Although the function of advice and guidance seem quite similar, there are numerous differences between advice and guidance.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Advice 
     – Definition, Characteristics 
2. What is Guidance
     – Definition, Characteristics 
3. Similarities Between Advice and Guidance
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Advice and Guidance
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Advice, Guidance

What is Advice

Advice refers to a set of instructions for a recommendation of a particular product or action. Advice can be personal or subjective from one individual to another according to different circumstances. Essentially, advice recommends what one should do. There are two parts to the process of advising. They are giving advice and receiving advice. Both parties should be very careful when providing and receiving advice since advice can change according to one’s circumstances. Advisors should consider numerous factors before providing advice and making recommendations. These factors include the current circumstances of the recipient of advice, the mindset of the recipient, etc. People take advice from others for different matters – for instance, financial matters, relationship problems, medical advice, etc.

Generally, people seek advice from experts in particular fields. For example, taking medical advice from a medical doctor or financial advice from a financial advisor. Advice most often takes the form of a suggestion.

What is Guidance

The guidance refers to an unbiased service that is given to a person. Guidance will help a person to sort out and identify his or her choices. Nevertheless, the guidance does not provide an exact choice or recommendation; rather, it helps a person to make a choice. In other words, the guidance provides the opportunity to decide, but it does not provide a solution for any issue. The person who receives guidance has the freedom to make his or her own choice by considering the options provided.

A person who provides guidance should be accurate and responsible for what he or she provides. At the same time, guidance providers should be keen on the quality of the information they provide.

Similarities Between Advice and Guidance

• Both advice and guidance have two parties as providers and receivers.
• For both advice and guidance, the person who provides the service should be liable to the receiving party.
• Both advice and guidance should be provided by qualified people in a particular field.

Difference Between Advice and Guidance

Definition

Advice refers to a set of instructions for a recommendation of a particular product or action, while guidance refers to an unbiased service that is given to an individual regarding an action.

Field

Although advice is provided for most fields, guidance is mostly provided in practical circumstances.

Decision

The recipient of advice is influenced by advice, but the recipient of guidance is not influenced in this way.

Focus

The advice can be subjective from one person to the other, and from one situation to another, whereas the guidance is not subjective and usually includes common facts.

Recipient’s Function

In advice, the recipient receives the solution or instructions to follow in order to solve his or her problem, but in guidance, the recipient has the freedom to choose from many options.

Conclusion

The main difference between advice and guidance is that advice refers to a set of instructions for a recommendation of a particular product or action while guidance refers to an unbiased service that is given to an individual regarding an action.

Reference:

1. “Advice (opinion).” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Handwriting Text Advice Loading. Concept meaning Forecasting the future event” (CC BY 2.0) By Jernej Furman via Flickr
2. “Sign directions support help tips advice guidance assistance” By Jon Kenfield (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr