We all value second opinions, whether at work or in the doctor’s office. But new research from Duke University shows that advice-seeking works best when the advice-seeker’s own thoughts don’t influence the second opinion.
“When you ask a colleague about a project timeline, saying something like, ‘I think we can finish in eight weeks,’ can ‘anchor’ the discussion around your estimate instead of keeping it open,” the researchers explain.
Biased opinion
Anchoring happens when people share their opinion while asking for advice. Though most people know it’s better to keep their questions neutral, they often include their own ideas to appear competent or hardworking.
“People know it’s smart to avoid influencing advice,” the researchers say, “but in the moment, they want to prove they’ve thought things through.”
To explore this behavior, the researchers studied advice-seeking on Reddit’s r/personalfinance forum, where users post questions on topics like saving for a house or managing credit cards. Analyzing over 800 posts, they found that 30–40% included the advice-seeker’s own thinking, such as asking, “Are four credit cards too many?” instead of simply, “How many credit cards should I have?”
Trying too hard
In controlled experiments with nearly 7,000 participants, the researchers confirmed that people include anchors when trying to show competence or effort. For example, participants imagining themselves as managers asking for cost estimates were more likely to add their own guesses if prompted to appear diligent or capable.
Anchors limit the usefulness of advice by narrowing the advisor’s perspective. “Once you share a number, it sticks in the advisor’s mind and influences their answer, even if they try to ignore it,” the researchers note.
In one study, participants estimating a building’s height received input from six advisors. Those who included their own guesses in their requests ended up with less accurate answers because the advisors’ responses were overly similar. This showed how anchors can block the benefits of diverse viewpoints.
Following our own advice
Interestingly, people who used anchors for themselves later advised others not to do so. “They know it’s better to avoid influencing advice, but in the moment, they can’t resist,” the researchers explain.
There’s a simple fix: instead of sharing an opinion, you can acknowledge that you have one but choose not to share it. Saying, “I’ve thought about this, but I don’t want to influence your answer,” preserves independence while showing effort.
These lessons apply to many settings, especially team meetings. For instance, if a manager opens a meeting by saying, “I think next month’s sales will be $100,000—what do you think?” it anchors the team’s responses. Instead, leaders should let team members share their thoughts first.
Encouraging independent thinking, the researchers conclude, leads to better advice and more effective teamwork.
