About Consultants
I have been fortunate in my career to have worked with organizations of all sizes, as both an active member of the leadership team and as an external consultant. This experience has afforded me a unique perspective on the value of outside experts as I have not only been one, but also spent millions of dollars on them. I know where the value lies, and where the consultant does.
Consultant vs. Executive Coach
I draw a clear distinction between consulting and executive coaching. I do both, but they are different, and require different approaches, and skills. Simply put, the difference is: who is the client? If the client is the organization, then I’m consulting. If the client is an individual, then I’m being a coach.
Consulting requires a broad view of the organization, and the ability to craft solutions that work across a team. The output from consulting are most often recommendations for changes in structure, process, or policy. The results are broad-based and are measured by the effect on the organization as a whole.
In contrast, coaching requires an intimate understanding of the person, their skills, talents, and goals, and their place in the organization. The output from coaching is usually very specific recommendations of actions and changes in behavior for a single person. The results are very narrowly defined and are measured by the success of the individual within the team, and the effect of their changes on their team.
Again, I do both Consulting and Executive Coaching. But every situation is different. You may want one or the other, and I may recommend one or the other. Contact me and we’ll work it out.
What NOT to Expect
I’m not a cookbook sort of person. I won’t come in, armed with the same program full of flip charts I’ve used 100 times before and try to make it fit your situation. Of course many problems crop up again and again, but every solution is dependent on the environment - on the people most of all.
I also won’t sell you on me, muscling for that long-term engagement and arguing why you should set me up with an office down the hall. The last thing I want is either of us to grow tired of the other.
What to Demand of a Consultant or Executive Coach
Whatever you choose, you should demand of me, or anyone you work with, clear accountability. Ask in advance what you can expect for deliverables, what kind of time period do you expect results in, who (you or the consultant) is responsible for each and every deliverable. You should never go into a consulting or coaching arrangement with an open-ended, “let’s see how it goes” kind of approach. That just invites long-term, never-ending, relationships that deliver far less than they promise.
After we decide on your needs, I’ll deliver you a crisp proposal, with deliverables clearly spelled out, cost and time estimates plainly stated. You can decide whether this works for your problem, your timeframe, and your budget. I want you to go into this with your eyes open, and you should demand nothing less.