How can you improve your consulting skills in 30 days?

In my experience following things helps a ton 1. Industry Deep Dive: Immerse yourself in specific industries for credibility and relevance. 2. Networking is key: Expand your network for diverse perspectives and potential mentorship. 3. Success Story Documentation: Keep a record of successful interventions as a valuable reference. 4. Public Speaking Practice: Hone public speaking skills by presenting insights at industry events or webinars for increased visibility.

To Improve Consulting Skills two things required, 1. Strong Knowledge about particular field 2. Practical Knowledge of each and every aspects of field Even to add in to this Strong network with technical people is also required. Learn to Grow & Grow to WIN.

Remember, you can't effectively and consistently manage what you can't measure, and you can't measure what you haven't defined. So, first, you need to find out what skills are important for your chosen line of consulting. Ask for advice from at least 3 individuals who have been performing successfully in this space. Then get honest feedback from those you work with respect to those skills. This approach will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses. This step will set your benchmarks, making your 30-day improvement plan focused and measurable.

Reflect on your current consulting skills. What are your strengths, and where do you need improvement? This self-awareness will guide your development plan. Define specific, measurable, and achievable goals for your consulting skills. For example, improving client communication, enhancing problem-solving abilities, or refining your presentation skills.

The best advice I could give is to think of yourself as a sponge, absorbing best practices and insights. Look inside your organization by watching how top performers consult and ask questions when time allows. Outside your org, search for industry consulting leaders, read their books, listen to their podcasts, watch their videos, and join communities where you can exchange ideas. Each piece of knowledge you gain is like adding a tool to your toolbox. You should aim to be a blend of the best qualities you see in these pros, making their winning strategies a part of your consulting approach. Time flies in this business and before you know it, you'll be in a place to pay it forward, guiding and inspiring the next generation of consultants.

My current good practice and high recommendation are these invited/ contributory articles. I have contributed a lot (nearly into 90 articles), but to contribute, I have to read a lot, and the process of reading-and-writing, I end up learning a lot (even if unintentionally - while I believe learning and sharing is forever (hence there is no best or perfect consultant in the world), and I am a life-long learner myself. This learning eagerness/ curiosity is one prime skill that a consultant must have.

As others have stated communication is THE number one skill and 80-90% of that should be listening. Start practicing on your spouse or partner... i'm sure they will appreciate it ;)

Embarking on a 30-day journey to refine consulting skills is not just about learning; it's about applying and practicing those skills in every aspect of our work. Whether it's current projects or future endeavors, each presents a unique opportunity to hone our problem-solving and analytical abilities. Don't shy away from creating hypothetical scenarios or case studies; they are excellent grounds for improving our communication and presentation skills. This journey is a chance to grow, to challenge ourselves, and to emerge as more competent and confident consultants. Let's embrace it with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and improve every day.

Successful consulting is 90% about how effectively you communicate and how likable you are to your clients and team. That means you need to prioritize your interpersonal and communication abilities. Excelling in technical know-how is important, but it's your interpersonal and communication skills that truly set you apart. Honing these skills means actively listening to understand client needs, conveying complex ideas in simple, relatable terms, and being approachable and responsive. Relentlessly try to refine how you present information – be it in meetings, reports, or presentations. Your ability to articulate ideas clearly and confidently plays a significant role in how your expertise is perceived.

A joke goes around that a fresh graduate is going from door-to-door for employment, but gets rejected from all companies due to lack of experience. This may happen with consultants also - they worked hard on points 1, and 2, but they do not have a project, client, or job to practice these skills. This is where case studies, blogs, and articles come into hand. I have done all these myself and can vouch that you would learn a lot by practicing this way!

Role-Playing Exercises - Engage in role-playing exercises to simulate client interactions. This helps you practice responding to different scenarios and refine your consulting approach.

Yes, the first step is self-evaluation. But a second/ third party evaluation is more assuring for you as a consultant as well as for your clients. This can happen through feedback (auto or sought-after) or likes, shares, and comments on articles like this and more that you write (specifically on LinkedIn). I recently read a person with a huge followership on LinkedIn saying that he wouldnt bother about these likes, shares and comments - his job was writing and he did that - the rest followed (bit later though) - and I have a tendency to be in agreement with his thoughts also. This means a consultant must keep patience - perseverance is the key here!

Seeking feedback is a vital ingredient for growth. Just as friction sharpens a blade, constructive criticism sharpens your skills. Operating in a vacuum devoid of external viewpoints is a surefire path to stagnation. Embrace feedback from various sources: clients (when and where appropriate), colleagues, mentors, and managers. Do your best to capture diverse perspectives for a more rounded view of your performance. Don’t hesitate to reach out to peers, industry experts, or coaches when it makes sense. Their external, unbiased insights can be eye-opening and instrumental in pinpointing areas for improvement.

Request feedback from mentors, colleagues, or clients. Use this feedback to make necessary adjustments and continuously improve your consulting skills.

Two things that contribute to my success: 1) Regularly peruse articles from top consulting firms' newsletters, blogs, and reputable business websites to stay informed on industry trends and best practices. 2)Read books on strategy, business management, and consulting to deepen your understanding of the field, and adopt strategies.

Enroll in relevant online courses or workshops to deepen your knowledge. Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or industry-specific sites offer valuable resources. Stay updated by reading articles, whitepapers, and industry publications. Subscribe to newsletters and follow influential thought leaders in your field.

To improve consulting skills, best way is get to work, If you don't have a live opportunity, build a case and solve on pro-bono basis One pro-bono is like a pilot for you to know your strengths and weaknesses as a consultant Another way is to shadow someone who has been into consulting for some time.