APPROACH TO CONSULTING

I was first trained as a classical pianist. The first duty of every musician - and consultant - is to listen.

• What, specifically, does the organization want from a consultant?

• What is the mission of the organization and why do people care about it?

• Who, precisely, does the organization hope to serve?

• What are the present-day challenges in fulfilling the mission?

• What capacity does the organization lack?

If my skill set aligns with the needs of an organization, my task is to efficiently leverage my experience and expertise to assess a situation, identify core challenges, and offer solutions.

The objectives of a project are defined early on, including what deliverables are expected of the consultant. There is a period of discovery where I learn about the organization, its mission, goals, values, business objectives, financials, commitment to diversity, program descriptions, and website language. Also important is gaining an understanding of how trustees, executives, and other leaders; as well as staff or faculty, perceive the successes and challenges of their organization.

Skills and experience are brought to bear, including the ability to research, plan, create, recommend resources, and sometimes instruct. In my experience, sustainable solutions to problems and challenges are most often generated when the consultant and organization work together closely to diagnose, conceive, and remediate.

Something to know about me is that I enjoy the work and look forward to tackling even the toughest challenges. We are in a tough business and must approach it with a seriousness of purpose. But we still need to have fun doing it. My consulting is leavened with a good bit of common sense and even humor.