- Practical: suggests tasks that are achievable and positive in nature and that employees and even critics can endorse to some degree.
- Pragmatic: recognizes that only certain outcomes are possible, that no matter how spiffy, creative, or exciting your ideas might be, those affected by the advice as well as those acting on the advice will look at it from the perspective of whether it can actually work in their real world.
- Purposeful: has self-evident forward focus and positive momentum. Counselors and consultants are strategic operational assets. When activated, strategic assets are fundamentally positive and energize the organization and its constituencies.
- Focused: shows the way, helps the client or customer think and act in the future tense, and works toward a few important goals (or just one) that everyone recognizes.
- Candor: truth with an attitude delivered right now.
There are many distractions in consulting, and many clients with great difficulties, problems, shortcomings, and blind spots. The consultant’s obligation is to identify and provide candid, constructive advice that finds those deficiencies, strengthens the shortcomings, and fills blind spots, while stabilizing or moving the organization toward tomorrow.
*©2006-2025, James E. Lukaszewski, “Why Should the Boss Listen to You, The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor, page 24,” Josey Bass. Contact the copyright holder at jel@e911.com for information and reproduction permissions. Editing or excerpting forbidden.
