I am an internal consultant but just recently learned I do not fully grasp what consulting is.
I feel I am an effective communicator, I can train, I have a good understanding how to implement and sustain Lean improvements, and I can help people solve problems. I was under the impression that all of these skills added together to equal consulting. I was wrong.
I have been pressing in with my coworkers to get coaching on what consulting skills are and I am reading Peter Block’s “Flawless Consulting“. I also have another book someone lent me as well.
You will see some of my reflections as I get a deeper understanding of consulting. I welcome your comments about consulting or suggestions for blogs/articles/books to further help me understand.
My 2009 Hansei: Scarcity inspires creativity and innovation. How can I help harness that inspiration?
Subscribe to Improve With Me via: RSS | Google Reader | Twitter
Improve With Me 
Yes consulting is a very different ‘game’ to having day to day responsibility.
Hands up, I am a consultant. Now with about 18 months of experience.
3 things I find different about the role:
1st I must listen far more than I ever did before (this is good for me)
2nd Every client and situation is different and I need to change to be best able to implement change. Am I hands on, a coach, a butt kicker, a mix or what?
3rd This is someone else’s situation, their baby, their challenge, their baby. My power is influence.
Pingback: Book Review: Flawless Consulting 2nd Edition « Improve With Me