guidance

Guidance is the act or process of guiding someone toward a goal by providing information, advice, direction, or support. It can be formal or informal and is applied to individuals, groups, organizations, and systems. The purpose of guidance is to help people make informed decisions, reduce uncertainty, and support personal, educational, and professional development.

The term derives from the Latin ducere, through Old French guider, and conveys leading or directing. In practice, guidance is concerned less with telling people what to do than with helping them consider options and choose a course aligned with their values and circumstances.

Contexts for guidance include education and career guidance, counseling and mentoring, organizational guidance related to governance and policy, and user guidance embedded in products, interfaces, and manuals.

A typical guidance process starts with assessing needs, goals, and values; providing relevant information; exploring options; and supporting decision-making and planning, followed by follow-up to review outcomes. Effective guidance respects autonomy, encourages critical thinking, and adapts to cultural and individual differences.

Guidance is distinct from direct instruction or coercive orders; it aims to illuminate options rather than prescribe a single path. Challenges include balancing support with independence, avoiding overreach, and ensuring culturally appropriate, evidence-informed guidance in diverse settings.