I believe a consultant is more of an advisor. Expert consultants can provide guidance in very specific, specialized areas. However, they often miss the bigger picture and may not promote the collaborative environment that is the hallmark of corporate success. An advisory consultant, such as myself, relies on your years of experience and helps promote the context for the best use of your expertise.

I subscribe to an abundance approach that is loosely based on Stephen R. Covey's book: "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", first published in 1989. In my experience, these prinicples - or Habits - are effective guides for the consultant / client relationship. A wonderful summary of the Seven Habits can be found at Wikipedia. Here is my take on them:

The first three habits focus on getting your act together. If you don't know where you are or what you are doing, how can you expect others to follow you?

• Be Proactive. Your decisions determine your effectiveness. Be responsibile for them and their consequences whether positive or negative..
• Begin with the End in Mind. Envision your goals and desires. Create a mission statement. Charter the future you wish to achieve.
• Put First Things First. Prioritize, plan, and execute based on importance rather than urgency. Lay the groundwork for successful relationships.

The next three have to do with Interdependence or working with others. You must enable your team if you are to succeed.

• Think Win-Win. Mutually beneficial solutions and relationships are ultimately a better long-term path to your goals.
• Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Genuine listening and compassion is the foundation for positive influence, caring and problem solving.
• Synergize. Utilize and combine individual strengths to achieve goals no one person could have done alone.

The last habit relates to rejuvenation and sustainment:

• Sharpen the Saw. Renew your physical, mental and spiritual health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle and culture.

Whether applied to a business process, a strategic planning session or an individual's career, the Seven Habits - mixed with Best Practice process improvement techniques - have proven to be far more effective than simply trying to implement a codified methodology. Without the grounding of the Seven Habits, improvement is usually shallow, short-term and remarkably ineffective

Teambuilder

I am a collaborator, a facilitator, a guide and advisor. With your participation, I can help you change things for the better.

I bring perspective and ideas to your environment,  you bring the knowledge, context and will to succeed.

Together, we make a team than can achieve more than either of us individually.

Find Out More

You can read more about how I think and work by checking out some of my perspective briefs.

My past experience and the type of clients I have served will also give you some insight into my consultantive approach.

Of course, you can just contact me!