0
0
Cheung-Judge (2012) outlines four key areas that individuals can utilize to continue to develop as consultants: develop life long learning habits, work through power issues, build emotional and intuitive self-awareness, and commit to self-care. The first area involves developing competencies and relationships in order to adapt to the various requirements of the consultant role. Seeking out feedback and continually evolving are key areas to consider in order to improve as a consultant. In addition, learning, rather than teaching, should be at the forefront of all that we do. Block (2011) explains that when we allow risk, raise the stakes, and engage in caring confrontation with strong support, we are creating a system that encourages learning rather than imitation.
Next, it is key to work through power issues by acknowledging your own personal emotional triggers so you can develop strategies to manage your own power dynamics (Cheung-Judge, 2012). As part of ongoing development, it is important to create habits for establishing appropriate boundaries with clients and peers. One recurring theme in the literature is how effective mentoring can be when attempting to develop positive habits. The knowledge capital a mentor holds includes information about the job, but they also can train individuals on the culture and internal processes of an organization (Corner, 2014). Therefore, to continue to develop as a consultant it is important for them to locate a mentor they can confide in and work with on a professional level.
The third recommendation involves turning personal history into a source of strength by understanding your own fears, blind spots, and comfort zones (Cheung-Judge, 2012). It is important to manage anxiety about your own perceptions and learn about the potential power of your own intuition. This area of self-development and awareness involves deep reflection on where you are and where you want to be within your profession. Under stress we may be more reactive or have less patience. By acknowledging our own challenges, you can harness the power of reflection to modify behaviors as they present themselves.
Finally, Cheung-Judge (2012) explains the importance of self-care by staying organized, booking time off for personal needs, and utilizing meditation or other best practices to maintain your inner awareness. Self-care not only ensures the consultant stays fresh within their field, but also helps them avoid burnout. Oerlemans and Bakker (2014) explain that individuals need time to recover from their work-related duties on a daily basis in order to prevent exhaustion. In addition, taking time out for yourself allows you to reload your thoughts for the next working day. Social activities can alleviate stress while also providing outlets for individuals to engage in meaningful conversations for support (Oerlemans & Bakker, 2014). While it can be easy to solely focus on work, putting self-care at the forefront can help consultants maintain their ability to be at their best. Overall, each of these practices focuses on how consultants can develop and train to apply themselves in the best possible way.
References
Block, P. (2011). Flawless consulting: A guide to getting your expertise used (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Cheung-Judge, M.-Y. (2012). The Self as an Instrument: A Cornerstone for the Future of OD. OD Practitioner, 44(2), 42–47. Retrieved from http://library.capella.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=74024722&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Corner, J. (2014). The fast are eating the slow: mentoring for leadership development as a competitive method. Industrial and Commercial Training, 46(1), 29–33. http://doi.org/10.1108/ICT-07-2013-0052
Oerlemans, W. G. M., & Bakker, A. B. (2014). Burnout and daily recovery: A day reconstruction study. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 19(3), 303–314. https://doi-org.library.capella.edu/10.1037/a0036904
