Ask HN: What is the best advice you have ever given to someone?

It was maybe ten years ago. My boss was selling his company. He described to me that it was a multi step sale.

Now, I had read a blog post by Robert Cringely that talked about how companies steal corporations by devaluing stock after the initial sale so that sellers miss out on most of the money they were planning on getting. I had read it maybe a few months prior and was sketchy on the details but bells and whistles were going off in my head.

I told him he should read this blog post, I'd go find it and send it right over. Then the most amazing thing happened.

I want to point out, this was the best job I'd ever had. He was, by far, the best boss I'd ever had. Unlike any other person I had ever worked for he gave me a lot of autonomy and I made him a lot of money in a very short time.

So I was kind of surprised. Rather than say, "hey, send it over", he instead began to explain to me that there was a contract, that they couldn't change the contract after the fact, etc. I said ok, that I didn't really recall the details in the article, maybe he should read it.

That's when he said no. I was very surprised and disappointed but it only lasted a minute. I'm a type A personality so I sent it to him anyway.

Much later I learned that they had agreed on three equal payments in the millions. The first payment was paid as agreed. The next was a couple hundred thousand. The last was zero.

The formula was in the contract and couldn't be changed. In fact, the purchasers only had control over one number in the formula. If you aren't strong in algebra let me just tell you outright what that means.

The purchasers had total control over the formula.

My boss had a great lawyer that didn't realize this or tell him. Maybe because he only gets paid if the deal happens.

They had a highly paid business broker who surely knew this but didn't say anything because he only gets paid if the deal happens.

Anyway, probably my worst business day ever since I obviously caused my boss to lose way more than I ever benefitted him. And unfortunately, I still have credibility problems. I would love some good advise on that!

I don't know if he considers it my fault, but he should. He is not the only person who has failed to consider my advice and lost, just the one to lose the most money. This a very often repeated theme in my life. I somehow manipulate people into not taking me seriously. I don't understand it and I don't want to believe it but its easier to believe than the alternatives.

Not that I know you or anything, but you don't seem like a bad person or anything to me based on this ^_^;