Good Business Consultants Act Like Kids: Never Stop Asking Questions
Business consultants who take on the mind of a five-year-old will constantly see opportunities to create unmatched experiences for clients.
“The best scientists and explorers”… and business consultants… “have the attributes of kids! They ask questions and have a sense of wonder. They have curiosity. ‘Who, what, where, why, when, and how!’ They never stop asking questions, and I never stop asking questions, just like a five-year-old,” said Sylvia Earle.
Perhaps oceanographer Sylvia Earle never actually had business consultants in mind when she said the quote above, however, the principles she illustrates definitely apply to our ability to generate unmatched experiences for our clients. Good consultants are curious, observing clients closely and working daily to understand their obvious and hidden needs.
Good Business Consultants Ask Questions
Much like a child is unafraid to ask a question, good consultants should consistently ask: “What would make this deliverable, this engagement, this program unmatched for you?” It may not always make sense to ask this directly, and clients may not know how to answer it. But, good consultants try to explore the edges by asking questions like:
- What would make the upcoming project sponsor meeting ultra-successful? I was thinking of a few ideas to make that happen…
- Do you think we need to build a stronger communication bridge between the business and IT? I have a few ideas to make that happen…
- The team has been working really hard. Do you think they deserve a reward? I have a few ideas to make that happen…
Consultants who take on the mind of a five-year-old will constantly see opportunities that allow them to go beyond the foundation of solid delivery to create unmatched experiences for clients.
