Here's how you can enhance your skills and knowledge as a consultant.

It’s important to know, especially as a consultant, no one knows EVERYTHING. Especially you. Be a continuous learner and be open to differences. Welcome opposing views and analyze them. Compare new data with traditional views and constantly challenge yourself to connect the dots. In order to explain change, and to get buy in, we must meet individuals and groups where they are and create the need for them to follow us to where they need to go. We can’t jump from a-z by yelling from H. The more information we are aware of, the more fluid and adaptable we become as thought leaders. Never think what you know is enough.

Embrace Conscious Learning! Know what you need/want to achieve as a Consultant and make sure that you focus on the core areas first before spreading the base wider. Leverage all possible mediums/avenues of knowledge - question & critique everything while being strongly focused on value! Learn to Un-Learn at pace as the environment changes at a very rapid pace making relevant irrelevant at pace. Always remember that there is no learning more powerful than experiential learning - seek & grab every opportunity that you can to apply what you learn. Remember to apply the Design Thinking Lenses of Viability, Feasibility & Desirability to get the maximum impact of your learning efforts.

Embracing continuous learning means more than just keeping up with industry trends. I explore new fields and technologies, such as AI and automation, to broaden my knowledge base. This interdisciplinary approach helps me deliver more holistic and innovative consulting solutions, setting clients up for success in a rapidly changing environment.

Feedback both Formal & In-Formal are what chisels a good consultant and help him become outstanding. Actively seek feedback from all relevant stakeholders - particularly the ones who you know will give critical feedback. Critical feedback is priceless and takes effort to give so be thankful when you get it and leverage the same to do better. In a lot of cases consultants get defensive when faced with critical feedback - that's the strongest impediment to growing as consultant. As a consultant having a formal feedback mechanism in place is not only important but critical. It's equally important that the stakeholders are aware of that mechanism and know that feedback will be solicited actively and that the feedback will be valued.

Lead with empathy, don't just develop it. This is one of the most important skills that you can learn as a professional - especially as a leader. When you choose to lead with empathy, you are swiftly ensuring that the client understands that they are being heard and clearly seen. As a consultant, you will spend a great deal of time influencing decisions for your client... which is much easier to do when they believe that you have their best interest in mind. Leading with empathy also helps you build and maintain trust with your clients. It's the building of that foundation of trust that will enable you to grow a long-term relationship with that client. In short, I'll say it again... don't just develop empathy, LEAD with it!

One of the methods of enhancing your skills is learning by practicing. As much as reading, reflecting, listening or planning is effective and useful in your personal development and growth, but it won't help you enhance your skills if your skills aren't being practiced. When you start practicing your consultation skills, you'll start figuring out what works and what doesn't, and you'll have to opportunity to tweak and sharpen your skills.