Whether you are new to this field or experienced, rockstar or unrecognized, established or finding your feet...let's acknowledge the toughness of this profession. Throughout my 15+ years in this profession, I've weathered numerous challenging work conditions and crafted a personal rulebook. While I wouldn't claim it as the ultimate guide, but it has been instrumental in navigating tough people, situations, and most importantly conducting myself better.
Sharing my Top - 10 rules for mastering this Art:
- Empathy always WINs: If you lack empathy, you should change your profession to something else. Until you can come to terms with your customers pains, you will never be able to provide a solution that addresses it.
- Discuss Ideas Not People: I know it is hard…as much as possible AVOID participating in conversations discussing people. Focusing on the idea is more rewarding. Challenge yourself to enhance an idea vs trying to do the same to a person.?Build a mission around your team and challenge everyone on getting the idea to the next level.
- No Friend No Foe: Staying friendly with your stakeholders (team, management, client) is key to a successful consulting career. Commit to never burn bridges ! I have seen both sides of the coin, friend-at-work turning rogue … and also the person I avoided most becoming my strongest supporter. Stay away from fear-mongers and turncoats.
- Always watch your back: Sorry to shatter this so soon. You practicing empathy does not mean people will respond the same. Often you will be in situations where you establish agreements and return back to a completely different agenda in follow-up session. Resort to good documentation and minutes of meeting practices, your only best friend. It helps set expectations, avoids late stage surprises, establishes accountability. If it is not in a document, it did not happen.
- Feedback goes both ways: I am not discussing feedback for promotions here. I am talking about feedback to improve you as a professional. Ask for feedback candidly and from genuine folks only (not people who will flatter you). When you are the feedback giver, do not engage in promoting false actions. It impacts your credibility and negatively impacts the person receiving feedback.
- Power-steer Career: Take charge of your career. Hoping someone will promote you, remember your sleepless nights, celebrate your wins 6 months after…is foolishness. The person you are banking on to help your career scale is probably more insecure and confused on their own. Keep looking for opportunities and strengthening your core for the next role.?The next opportunity may be closer than you think.
- Treasure Team that works for you: Very rare to find a team that stands with you through thick and thin. No blame-game…No BS. If you find one, stay committed. This is the growth-zone. Show up to handle challenges, apply skills and come out victorious every time for this team.
- Become an Expert, build your brand: Being a Generalists is a good strategy early in career (say 5-6 years) where you are exploring new paths. Once this phase is done, you should have found your sweet-spot and commit to building the ultimate skill repertoire. Build a personal brand that people can relate to you and what you bring to the table. Plan to review, enhance and rebrand skills with changing business environment.
- Find a Mentor/ Role Model: It becomes easy to craft a successful career when you know who to follow. A person who has walked the path and share their experiences. It is just like reading trip blogs before making the trip yourself. Learning from others' mistakes is the shortest path towards building excellence. Never feel shy to reach out for advise, people are more willing to share their experiences and tips than you can imagine.
- Networking takes you farther: It's all about the people and network you develop. If you are one of those who struggle with networking, add this as a skill for your to-do list. Networking takes you farther than any other career building tasks. This is the Luck-component that no-one will ever mention you. Follow the 1-9 rules mentioned above and Networking should be already happening for you.?
As we approach year-end, reflect on the domains where you aim to amplify your expertise, fostering growth on the path to becoming an enhanced consultant. Draft a list and persist in the pursuit of excellence. Entering consulting is an open door, yet transcending to the realm of true consultancy is an art only a few master.
