Compassion?

Posted by Robert Merrill on August 13, 2008 under uFunctional Values | Be the First to Comment

What a strange topic for a consultant’s blog!

Not really.

Executives engage a consultant because things aren’t going great. The situation is a mess, and it’s their responsibility, and they’re not sure what to do. So they’re anxious, and maybe a little bit ashamed.

Employees don’t welcome a consultant because they and their work will be evaluated and judged by a stranger. So they’re defensive. Or maybe they greet the consultant with open arms because at last someone is going to speak truth to power. So they’re hopeful—maybe too hopeful—and are about to be let down, again.

I always remind myself of these things when getting started. Yes, the situation is probably a mess, but not on purpose. There’s history, and a lot of decisions that probably made a lot of sense at the time.

A client is a group of people, with knowledge and with feelings. I must learn from them, and before they will teach me, they must trust me. Then I will advise and instruct them. My advice and instruction may hurt, and before they can receive it, they must trust me even more.

My success depends on them, and their trust. In order to begin earning that, I must show compassion.

Not such a strange concept for a consultant after all.