Flawless Consulting

An expert discussion of the timeless fundamentals and latest tools that form the foundation of successful influencing

Renowned consultant and author Peter Block delivers the latest and fourth edition of his best-selling Flawless Consulting, an intuitive and insightful step-by-step guide to the five phases of effective consulting. The book offers a deep exploration of the skills, tools, and behaviors required to successfully influence others. You'll see exactly what you need to say and do to help others achieve their goals, whether you are an internal or external consultant or anyone in a leadership position who wants to build effective partnerships in business, healthcare, education, or community work.

Along with newly updated examples, case studies, stories, and suggestions for putting the flawless consulting process into everyday practice, you'll find:

• A new section for consultants living in a highly virtual world that explains how to achieve authentic engagement with your clients in virtual and hybrid environments
• Invaluable information for leaders and internal consultants operating within their organizations
• Concise and digestible techniques for successful contracting and discovery

For over 40 years Flawless Consulting has been the go-to guide to building trust and structuring meaningful partnerships with others for greater influence and impact. This latest edition ensures that the book will remain the gold standard in the industry for many years to come.

Auteur

PETER BLOCK is a bestselling author and veteran consultant who creates workplaces and communities that work for everyone. He is the founder of Designed Learning, a training company that offers workshops to build the skills outlined in his books.

Texte du rabat

PRAISE FOR Flawless Consulting, Fourth Edition

"In this new edition, Peter Block further refines his unique offering of frameworks and practical guidance for facilitating transformation (and creating health) in human systems. Peter is a sage advisor, artfully demonstrating how to cultivate change based on invitations, authenticity, engagement, and respect. What is notable is continued movement beyond diagnosis and intervention, toward an intentionally generative approach in which the new emerges through collaborative co-creation-the same remarkable shift that my colleagues and I are striving to advance and understand in healthcare."
-PAUL N. UHLIG, MD, MPA, FACS, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Kansas Medical Center, Andover, Kansas

"Peter Block's Fourth Edition of Flawless Consulting is the same invaluable treasure-trove of consulting insights, values, steps, checklists, and thoughtful questions that were in earlier versions. But the latest edition has incorporated the new realities of working virtually, conducting key steps with clients online, and updated thoughts on the power of strength-based approaches to addressing deep problems. This revised classic continues to be a 'must-read' for those new to consulting, and a 'must-reread' for those of us who thought we were doing well, but now realize there are numerous ways to improve. If you are a consultant of any type, at any level of experience, you will find old and new wisdom here to lift up your practice, engage effectively, and serve clients with more impact."
-SETH R. SILVER, Ed.D., President, Silver Consulting, Inc; Co-author of Meaningful Partnership at Work

"I first encountered Flawless Consulting years ago as a mid-level HR generalist. The HR function at my employer was struggling with partnering and execution challenges across departments. Flawless Consulting introduced terminology and tools to navigate misaligned HR service delivery expectations and strained relationships. Fast forward to the digital age and this program is as relevant as ever. Bots and data analytics aren't solving human interface opportunities-Flawless Consulting does."
-WALLY KUHNS, President, WK Leader Solutions, Encinitas, CA

Contenu

Introduction: What is Enduring | What is New | Keeping it Simple xi

Chapter 1 A Consultant by Any Other Name 1

Part 1 Fundamentals 11

Chapter 2 Techniques Are Not Enough 13

Chapter 3 Being Right-Really 25

Chapter 4 Flawless Consulting 41

Part 2 Entry and Contracting 53

Chapter 5 Contracting Overview 55

Chapter 6 The Contracting Meeting 69

Chapter 7 Some Nuances of Contracting 87

Chapter 8 Some Agonies of Contracting 97

Chapter 9 The Internal Consultant's Dilemma 117

Part 3 More Fundamentals 125

Chapter 10 Understanding Resistance 127

Chapter 11 Dealing with Resistance 145

Chapter 12 Technology: A Marriage of Myth, Convenience, and the Virtual Hour 155

Part 4 Discovery and Underlying Concerns 163

Chapter 13 From Diagnosis to Discovery 165

Chapter 14 Whole-System Discovery 177

Chapter 15 Discovering Gifts, Capacities, and Acting on What We Know 183

Part 5 Analysis and the Decision to Act 203

Chapter 16 Focusing on the Picture 205

Chapter 17 Preparing for Feedback 217

Chapter 18 Managing the Meeting for Action 225

Part 6 Engagement and Implementation 239

Chapter 19 Implementation 241

Chapter 20 The Structures of Engagement 249

Part 7 Extension, Recycle, or Termination 263

Chapter 21 Transformation Will Not Be Televised, Livestreamed, or Managed 265

Online Appendix: Handy Checklists You Can Use 275

Further Reading 277

Acknowledgments 279

About The Author 283

Index 285