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Change isn't optional but growth is. This is where change agents fit in. They are the ones who ensure that when the marketplace fluctuates and the organization gets larger, the company matures and gets better along the way. 

Change agents are those who formally or informally lead change in an organization. The title is reserved for those who see a better world AND must be a part of leading others towards that better world. 

Why You Need to Listen To This Week's Podcast

In this podcast from my series Consulting Matters: Mastering the Art and Science of the Business, I will introduce you to the four types of change agents. When you understand the different roles these change agents play in their common purpose of creating growth in the organization you will be better equipped to:

• Better enroll key stakeholders in the work you know your client needs to embark on
• Articulate the value-add contribution you offer a consultant
• Create project...

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One of the biggest transitions consultants go through is figuring out how to help their clients with massive change projects without positional authority. They may see what needs to be done but they don't have the ability to simply direct others towards achieving those outcomes. 

Why You Need to Listen To This Week's Podcast

In this podcast from my series Consulting Matters: Mastering the Art and Science of the Business, I am going to show you the secrets of leading change without authority which is clearly understanding and owning your role. You see, a consultant is not a leader. A consultant is one who helps a leader by framing the problems that the leader is accountable for solving. Consultants frame the challenges and help provide a roadmap for resolution of challenges. Leaders oversee the implementation of solutions and ensure sustainability.

Where You Might Get Stuck

The first key of being an effective consultant is learning how to...

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I have two children. When they were small, they used to go to daycare. What this meant in practicality to me was: two kids + daycare = many fevers and visits to the doctor’s office. As the parent, I was able detect and even treat the fever. However, in order to get rid of the fever, I had to rely on my doctor to discern whether the fever was caused by a bacteria or a virus and, if so, what part of the body the bacteria or virus was infecting. Then the doctor, using her knowledge of how the body functions, was able to prescribe the solution to dealing with the root cause of the fever.

Why You Need to This Week's Podcast

You may be thinking right now, “What does this have to do with consulting to change?” 

Let me give you two really important ways:

1. To create real results (vs. expensive band-aids) - your change project needs to be directed towards resolving challenges at the level of cause (not effect).

2. Any change in one...

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I'll never forget the moment when I first fell in love with corporate politics. I was asked to lead a massive initiative at Disney to help the operations executives redefine the guest/cast and cast/leader experience. This group of talented (and sometimes competitive) senior leaders had never before embarked on a project of this scope collectively and there was trepidation if creating alignment was going to be like herding cats.

As the consultant on the project, I took a lot of time and care to interview each executive. I deeply listened to each person's perspective on what they thought needed to be accomplished and why it mattered to them. And I wove those perspectives together into project goals and plan that represented the collective whole. Though integrating what might have appeared to be competing priorities into a singular vision and focus, I won buy-in faster than anyone expected (including me!)

What I discovered through this...

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One of the biggest lies we all believe in is that "It's nothing personal - it's just business." The truth is that when it comes to organizational change - everything is personal. 

Changes that impact workflow and organizational structure affect more than process efficiency and the bottom-line. They also redefine the work that someone does everyday, who is on their team and future career opportunities.

Ask anyone whose job was eliminated as a consequence of organizational change - and they will tell you how personal it felt!

Why You Need to Listen to This Week's Podcast

The one thing you need to understand about handling resistance to change is that when it comes to change, it feels to most people, "It's nothing business and it's all personal."

People who resist change are not evil, slow or backwards. Resistance is a natural by-product of how our brains are wired to help us survive. 

In this week's podcast I'll be sharing with you a bit of...

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Do you know the ONE thing that will have the biggest impact on your ability to provide amazing consulting solutions to highly influential senior leaders?

Is it your technique abilities and unique certifications?

Is it your business acumen and ability to speak the language of business?

Is it your aggressiveness to convince a senior leader to include you in their strategic work?

While those things are important, they are not nearly as critical as mastering your ability to POSITION yourself as a strategic partner.

Why You Need to Listen to This Week's Podcast

In this podcast, I introduce you to the concept of Partnership Set Up - my unique approach to landing consulting clients. 

You see, when it comes to consulting to change, it's not enough get to get a client to agree to working with you. You have to create the conditions where you are perceived and leveraged as a strategic partner.

They don't automatically think of you as a...

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Here's a common conundrum. 

Smart and values-driven consultants typically don't like marketing. Yet they hate being the world's best kept secret.

Same goes for internal consultants. Just because you have an official role in the organization to support leaders through change and transition doesn't mean that they are aware of who you are and how to best leverage your expertise. 

In this week's podcast - I have one goal: to reframe your perception of marketing.

It's not a chore you have to get through in order to finally get to the work. It IS the work. It IS the first opportunity you have to serve clients that have needs that you care very much about.

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When it comes to consulting, the client isn't always right.

More often the solution that they want isn't what they really need and what will create the results that truly matter the most to them.

It's not that they aren't smart or haven't thought through what will solve their challenges prior to calling a consultant like you. It's simply because they suffer from that "nose to the windowpane syndrome" meaning that they are too close to their challenges. 

Which is exactly why they need you!

Why You Need to Listen to This Week's Podcast

In this podcast, I share with you five ways to pivot your client from their requested methodology and what they say that they want towards a meaningful conversation around that they need which is the bridging of their business performance gaps.

Business performance gaps reflect the distance between where your clients are today and where they want to be.

Your goal as a consultant isn't to simply fulfill their order for a...

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In this week's podcast I want to share with you the one skill, literally the one skill that will transform your consulting practice and your positioning as a strategic business partner within the organization. This one skill - this is the one thing that you need to master to overcome resistance, establish credibility and build buy-in.