Consultancy competences

In a recent training delivered by one of my colleagues, new joiners in one of the world’s leading consultancy companies got together to create a list of competences required to be a good consultant. Here is what they said:

 

You have to know some things…

• ..technology solutions
• ..how people work & listen
• ..how to work with different character types
• .. know about the client and how the work benefits them
• .. how to be FAB to be heard…how to create rapport
• .. the situation, values and needs of a client

 

You have to be able to do some things…

• …use different “languages” to express your thoughts and point of view
• ..be able to listen
• …build an effective presentation … and delivery it with style
• …be able to give feedback
• ..use positive body language
• ..adapt your voice, eg: speed
• ..be able to communicate the “Big Picture”
• ..create and use effective communication structure
• ..get and keep attention (while presenting)

 

..and of course, you have to have the right attitude

• ..be open to change (who is??)
• …be pro-active
• ..accept differences in opinion
• ..being relaxed around new people
• ..be confident
• ..dare to ask for something, things you don’t understand or want to know
• …be prepared
• ..be open minded (and kill your sacred cows)

 

Thanks for reading

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