Instead, look for ways to gather as much insight and suggestions from customers in positive situations. Ask for their feedback. Customers even can give you ideas for new or improved products or services. Your employees can be a rich vein of insight and advice for your company. The key is to create an environment in which employees know their advice is welcome and valued.
Employees often know the ins and outs of some aspects of a business better than the owner does.
Board and advisory committee members. In most cases, people serve on your board of directors or advisory committee because you've asked them to, so their advice should be given great respect. People close to you have their own motivations and their own fears when they give you advice. When your spouse suggests you'd be more productive if you didn't work in the living room, he might just want to get your stuff out of his way. Be gentle and be careful in how you respond.