How to be a good consultant

In my world, people say that a professional consultant has so many abilities such as outstanding knowledge in more than one industry, overwhelming persuasion capability, good analytical ability and ceaseless physical strength against excessive stress. But qualifications of being a professional consultant do not contribute to friendship and morality. How can we succeed as a professional, contribute to family, company and the world, make friends and be the person we want to be? Based on my own experience, I want to introduce my personal answers about how to be a good consultant in private life and in relationships.

First of all, take initiatives with seamless efforts and curiosity. Consulting jobs are never the same. That is, every project you encounter has different objectives, different business and technology environment, and different types of clients. Everything something different is not always good, because consultants always have to study and analyze the whole problem. If you lack patience or exhaust your self through stressful projects, you might loose your temper or sometimes you might be scared. To prevent this, you have to be proactive with your curious mind and say for yourself “Enjoy it, if it is inevitable.”

Secondly, in business relations, make long-term relationships with your clients. People commonly make a mistake in a consulting business relationship with their clients because they regard their opportunity as one of the temporary and pass-by project. But remember the saying, “Don’t burn your bridges”. Almost every consulting project is a long-term business or even if it is not, you have to think of it as a long-term business. Clients can be good friends if you show your trust to them first and treat them as partners which will give win-win opportunity.

In summary, to be a good consultant is to be proactive with ceaseless curiosity and make long-term relationships with your business partners. Consulting is a difficult job because selling knowledge and experience can not be seen in the first place. But if you try to do your best in your job and make good friendship with people around you, then you will be a successful consultant in your private life and also your business.