CHAPTER 1 A Consultant by Any Other Name … Flashcards
What is the primary role of a consultant?
A consultant influences individuals, groups, organizations, or communities without direct power to make changes.
What does restructuring refer to in the context of consulting?
Restructuring refers to identifying people to be let go or functions to be eliminated.
What are the two varieties of change a consultant seeks to create?
- Structural, policy, or procedural change
- Learning change for individuals or groups
Who are the clients in a consulting context?
Clients can be individuals, work groups, departments, organizations, or neighborhoods.
What is a line manager’s relationship with support groups?
Line managers must operate under the advice of support groups, who have no direct authority.
What is the distinction between a consultant and a surrogate manager?
A consultant advises without taking direct responsibility, while a surrogate manager performs tasks on behalf of the line manager.
What are the three kinds of skills needed for effective consulting?
- Technical skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Consulting skills
What is the first phase of the consulting process?
Phase 1: Entry and Contracting.
What does Phase 2 of the consulting process focus on?
Phase 2: Discovery focuses on understanding the problem and the client’s strengths.
What is involved in Phase 3 of consulting?
Phase 3: Analysis and the Decision to Act involves organizing and reporting inquiry findings.
What is the purpose of Phase 4 in the consulting process?
Phase 4: Engagement and Implementation involves executing the planning from Phase 3.
What happens in Phase 5 of the consulting process?
Phase 5: Extension, Recycle, or Termination is about learning from the process and deciding on future actions.
True or False: The preliminary events in consulting are less crucial than the engagement phase.
False.
What does flawless consulting focus on?
Flawless consulting focuses on the preliminary events crucial for successful outcomes.
Fill in the blank: The two main categories of change in consulting are _______ and _______.
[structural change], [learning change]
What is the overarching goal of the consulting process?
The goal is to engage in successful actions that lead to better self-management in organizations.
What is the significance of managing lateral relationships in consulting?
Lateral relationships involve ambiguity in power dynamics, making negotiation essential.
What is the promise of flawless consulting as described in the text?
To ensure better use of expertise, increased implementation of recommendations, and stronger client partnerships.
What is the central theme of the book?
The possibility of perfection independent of outcomes in the world
The book emphasizes that each act expressing trust in ourselves is the right path.
What does flawless consulting allow us to do?
Let our behavior be consistent with our beliefs and feelings
This approach promotes success in working with clients.
What conflict do individuals often face in organizations?
The conflict between being ourselves and conforming to expectations
This struggle is prevalent from the first job onwards.
Why are consultants especially vulnerable to the conflict of authenticity?
They are supposed to serve clients’ needs and projects are often short term
Consultants can be easily terminated compared to subordinates.
What can the desire for success lead individuals to do?
Play roles and adopt behaviors that are internally alien
This often represents a loss of authenticity.
What does the book suggest is the path that serves consultants well?
Trusting ourselves
This increases the chances that expertise will be utilized again.
Fill in the blank: Each act that is _______ or filled with pretense is always self-destructive.
manipulative
This highlights the importance of authenticity.
True or False: The book primarily focuses on techniques and methods without any underlying message.
False
Each technique carries a message about self-trust.
What is the role of trust in the context of this book?
It is essential for authentic consulting and client relationships
Trust in oneself leads to better outcomes.
What terms are predominantly used throughout the book?
Consultant and client
These terms reinforce the belief in self-perception as a consultant.
Fill in the blank: The focus on techniques and skills in consulting identifies the high ______ choices we have.
self-trust
This encourages authentic behavior in organizations.
