Don’t assume you know anything; ask questions to uncover the client's reality.
"Process Consultation Revisited: Building the Helping Relationship" by Edgar Schein is a seminal work that refines the art of organizational consulting. Rather than acting as an "expert" who provides answers, Schein argues that the consultant’s true role is to help the client help themselves. Core Philosophy: The Helping Relationship
The consultant should never take over the responsibility of fixing it. Process Consultation Revisited: Building the He...
This is the baseline for every interaction.
The client asks the consultant to diagnose the "sick" organization and prescribe a cure. Don’t assume you know anything; ask questions to
Good advice at the wrong time is useless.
The client buys information or a service the consultant provides (e.g., "Tell us how to fix our software"). Good advice at the wrong time is useless
Understand the client’s culture and pace rather than forcing your own.