How to Become a Better Consultant
One month ago, we welcomed our beloved daughter into this world. Her arrival brought us a life-changing experience filled with joy and wonders. At the same time, there are many new things to learn, challenges to overcome, and new routines to adapt to. As I took my first path of parenthood, it reminded me about how I first took a step into the ERP consulting industry, which is highly competitive and demanding, requiring consultants to strive for improvement constantly.
Whether you’re new to consulting or have been in the field for a while, the first step to becoming a better consultant is to learn to be responsible. Not to your managers, not to your customers, but to yourself first. When you start taking responsibility for your growth, you position yourself as a better consultant.
In my early career, I focused on fulfilling my job responsibilities and gaining experience in my assigned tasks. While I did improve, my growth could have been faster and reliant on the work given to me by my managers. Someone else dictated my progress, leaving me reactive rather than proactive in my development.
Being reactive is not bad, but being proactive gives better rewards, so I decided to take charge of my growth. I invested my time reading and learning about topics relevant to my life and career. I became interested in my colleagues’ work, actively asked questions, and listened attentively. By making a conscious effort to learn, I seized control of my personal and professional growth. As a result, I expanded my knowledge and gained a broader perspective on the needs, which allowed me to provide better consultation, ultimately making me a better consultant.
Reflecting on my journey to become a consultant, I realized that I need to proactively learn and grow to become a better father for my daughter.
There are no shortcuts to becoming a great father or a great consultant. Taking responsibility for your growth will bring you closer to achieving excellence in your field.
