Evolving the Change Consultant's Brain

As a change consultant, your brain is your most important tool. Like the hands of a craftsman or the body of an athlete, your mind needs to be nurtured and developed to remain effective in your work.

I used to think that reading books and attending courses would be enough. But I've realized that true development requires challenging your own thinking and constantly broadening your perspectives.

Just the other day, I found myself making assumptions about a client based on their industry. I thought I knew exactly what issues they'd face when trying to overcome a situation. But when I arrived on site and started talking to them, they surprised me with how far along they were in their journey. I had to quickly throw my preconceived ideas overboard and approach them anew.

It was a bit embarrassing, but also an important reminder that every company is unique. I can't rely on old ways of thinking if I want to ask the right questions and give useful advice. Active listening and intellectual humility are key.

I've also started to watch my emotional reactions more closely. If a client rejects my advice, do I feel defensive or am I open to finding out why? If my gut reaction is to resist an idea, is it based on logic, my ego, or fear of the unknown? When I'm aware of my prejudices, I can distinguish them from real insights.

And although serious reflection is important, you mustn't forget to have fun! Laughter creates space for new connections and balances brain chemicals. Like when I was working with a highly technical team. One member made a joke about not having much "emotional intelligence" compared to me. I replied that they clearly had a "mechanical intelligence" that I could only dream of. The whole team burst out laughing and that broke the ice for an exciting dialog.

At the end of the day, stakeholders know their business best. My job is to ask insightful questions, share useful models and experiences and help them gain new perspectives. The most important thing is to never believe I own the absolute truth, even if I'm an expert in that field.

This requires one to remain constantly curious, confident and flexible in thinking. It's a long journey, but one that inspires me to keep growing and influencing people around the world embracing a new way to do things with Enterprise Agility.