You're transitioning from a leadership role to consulting. What's the most important thing to keep in mind?

Effective leaders in consulting are great in - mentoring teams; - Brutally honest in giving feedback and also coaching others - have the ability to influence various stakeholders - are knowledgeable and has the credibility.

When transitioning from a leadership role to consulting, remember to shift from leading to advising. Focus on listening and understanding the client's needs, offering valuable insights and solutions. Adapt your communication style to collaborate effectively with diverse teams. Embrace flexibility and humility, recognizing that your role is to support and guide rather than to direct. By keeping this mindset, you'll build trust with clients and contribute meaningfully to their success.

Transitioning from leadership to consulting, remember the tale of the wise traveler. Like him, adapt swiftly to new environments, listening intently to client needs. Utilize your leadership experience to offer guidance and innovative solutions. Remain humble, acknowledging that consulting is a collaborative journey. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, and your expertise will shine through, guiding clients towards success.

Ao fazer a transição de um papel de liderança para consultoria, a coisa mais importante a ter em mente é a necessidade de adaptar seu estilo de trabalho para se tornar um facilitador e conselheiro eficaz. Priorize a escuta ativa e a compreensão das necessidades do cliente, em vez de impor soluções. Cultive habilidades de comunicação persuasiva para influenciar decisões e promover mudanças positivas. Esteja preparado para se manter atualizado com as tendências e melhores práticas em sua área de especialização. E, acima de tudo, mantenha uma mentalidade aberta para aprender e crescer continuamente como consultor.

- Knowing what to offer is key to start the service; training and experience is essential too. - Keeping updated in the field where consultancy services are provided, helps one stay ahead of the curve, using the expertise to deliver high-quality service.

Every company has its own culture layered on top of whatever culture exists in the society in which the company is located. You benefit from being open to new ways of thinking and viewing things. Ask those around you to explain when something seems a little odd. I once worked in another country where tribal influences were strong. Once understood, it became evident that I had to adapt to it. The worker might actually be from a more important family than his boss and you better honor that. Some companies are strong on engineering, some on artistic flair and fashion. You'll need to fit, even if what you are doing is deep in weeds of how they work. Keep your eyes and ears open - listen more than you speak!

I very company had different set of values and morals. It’s very important to get more adaptive and have a mindset of unlearn and learn. This will help the person to not only expand his horizons in field of consultancy but also grow in his career.

In working as a "subject matter expert" with teams, I find it very helpful to ask for and use their inputs. My expertise was actually learned from "them" in a variety of different companies and situations and I approach collaboration with a perspective of being there to learn from them - and I let them know it. Listen, respect, appreciate and use their inputs and you will quickly become a good collaborator. You'll also find that they begin to ask you more and more for your opinions and suggestions. Often, by listening first, I discover twists to what I had known from my prior experience that will enhance what I can offer by tailoring it using their inputs. They'll be more comfortable and accepting.

Value is different for everyone. It isn't just dollars on the bottom line. The client executive that hires you has value goals in mind - probably based on your value proposition. In many cases, you can't deliver that without the effort of many inside the client organization, so they too must see value in their terms. If they are all accountants, it's probably easy to satisfy them, but if those savings you are helping them achieve come at the cost of jobs or increased levels of anxiety, you can expect resistance. That resistance will serve to reduce the value you deliver. You need to consider everyone involved if you are truly going to deliver value that lasts.

If you are not a learner - you are not good consulting material. Learn like crazy from every experience and interaction you have. My clients have taught me far more than formal courses or formal education ever could. Advice I received from a seasoned consultant early in my career was to "never work harder than your client". They've got to want what you are there to deliver. You need to learn (from them) what it is that they want and expect and then learn more from them about what it will take to deliver it. You may be the expert in your particular field, but you are not expert in their operation and culture. You need to learn that as you go.

For a new consultant role, take the following helpful steps: 1. Choose Internet services for organizing work and practice using them; 2. Find an adviser or mentor and schedule meetings; 3. Identify your weaknesses and learn in this direction.

Consulting is primarily about understanding the problem through diagnosis and providing solutions. Cultivate a problem-solving mindset. As a consultant, your role is to collaborate with stakeholders and clients to create targeted strategies that enhance their business profitability, aiding them in achieving their objectives. Engage in resources such as HBR case studies, read management books, and participate in hackathons to hone your problem-solving skills until they become second nature. The more you practice, the more proficient you'll become.

In your transition to consulting, dare to “unlearn” the familiar and embrace the unknown. Shed outdated beliefs, challenge conventional wisdom, and venture into uncharted territories of thought. By liberating your mind from the constraints of the past, you can unlock a realm of boundless creativity, innovative solutions, and transformative insights that defy the norms of traditional consulting. Embrace the power of unlearning to redefine the very essence of consultancy and pave the way for revolutionary change in the business world.