Articulate Consultant
Mohammad Ahsan Mirza, CMA, CFM
Global Workday Adaptive Planning CoP Lead at Accenture; Workday Product Lead - Adaptive Planning
To become an articulate consultant, it's essential to master a few key practices:
1. Know More Than What You’re Talking About
To speak authoritatively on any topic like Adaptive Planning, you must have a deeper understanding than just the surface level.
This means understanding business, human behaviour and technology in general and Adaptive in particular in depth. This requires extensive reading and research to build a strong foundation of knowledge.
2. Write Regularly
Writing helps clarify your thoughts and ideas. Make a habit of writing frequently to organize your thoughts and improve your ability to express.
3. Engage in One-on-One Dialogues
Personal interactions allow for more tailored and impactful communication.
4. Listen Actively
Pay close attention to who you are talking to and listen to their response. This involves fully understanding their message, responding thoughtfully, and remembering their points. Pay attention to Non-Verbal Cues too too.
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5. Practice Public Speaking
Seek opportunities to speak in front of others. Volunteer to speak at company events and community of practice meetings to build confidence.
6. Read and Build a Strong Vocabulary
A rich vocabulary allows for more precise and varied expression. Continuously learn new words and their meanings to enhance your verbal skills.
7. Develop Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking helps you analyze and structure your thoughts logically. This is crucial for clear and effective communication.
To build critical thinking skills, consistently question assumptions, gather and evaluate evidence, identify biases, and engage in reflective thinking. Stay curious, seek diverse perspectives, and practice asking probing questions to deepen your understanding and improve decision-making.
8. Reflect and Revise
Regularly reflect on your conversations, writings, and speeches to improve and refine your ideas and presentation.
By incorporating these practices, anyone can become a more articulate and effective consultant, capable of engaging and influencing others through clear and compelling communication.