Reputational risk

In this episode, Ahmad and Karie discuss the common concern among consultants about potential reputational risk when clients fail to implement recommendations. They explore the pitfalls of this mindset and offer insights on how to approach client relationships more effectively.

Key Points

1. The dilemma of selling assessments when implementation is uncertain
2. The risk of being blamed for client's lack of results
3. The selfish nature of prioritizing reputational risk over client outcomes
4. The importance of genuine concern for client results
5. The strategy of preeminence in consulting
6. The self-fulfilling prophecy of focusing on reputation
7. The value of challenging clients and telling hard truths

"My big problem with this line of thinking is it is inherently selfish." -Ahmad

Key Takeaways

1. Prioritize client results over personal reputation
2. Build trust by being transparent about alternatives and potential risks
3. Embrace challenging engagements for business growth and interest
4. Maintain integrity by telling clients necessary truths, even if uncomfortable
5. Understand that clients value consultants who challenge the status quo

Action Items for Consultants

1. Reflect on your motivations for consulting
2. Practice putting client interests first in all interactions
3. Develop strategies for communicating difficult truths to clients
4. Embrace higher-risk, higher-reward engagements
5. Focus on building trust through transparency and genuine concern for results