Biggest Challenges Faced by an Independent Strategy and Leadership Consultant
A senior strategy consultant's greatest challenges involve "gaining the client's trust," which requires patience and understanding, and managing unrealistic client expectations regarding tight timelines. This necessitates a therapeutic approach, requiring the consultant to manage their emotions and their clients', balancing business focus with the emotional aspects of the work.
Client Relationship Management, Project Management, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Acosta
Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant
Independent Consulting Firm
Santa Monica College, Penn State, UCLA 2019
Pepperdine University Masters in Business and Leadership
Business Management & Admin
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
Disabled, Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Building trust with clients is crucial and requires patience and time, as clients often approach consultants with doubt and skepticism due to prior unsuccessful attempts at solving their problems.
2. Tight timelines and managing client expectations are significant challenges. Clients may have unrealistic expectations for quick solutions, requiring consultants to balance ambitious goals with achievable outcomes.
3. The role involves a therapeutic aspect; consultants must manage their emotions and those of their clients, providing support and guidance while focusing on the business problem. This emotional intelligence is critical but often not explicitly taught in leadership and management programs.
Transcript
What are some of the biggest challenges within your current role?
One of the biggest challenges is gaining a client's trust. Referrals are always best because they often come from friends or someone with a testimonial, which makes things a bit easier due to a proven track record.
However, when someone approaches you with a problem they couldn't solve, they've likely tried other solutions without success. They come to you as the expert, and their doubt is understandable. This is a business that impacts their lives, livelihoods, and families.
Gaining client trust takes time and patience, which are essential skills. This is the biggest obstacle, but once overcome, things become much easier. There's less explaining, more feedback, and clients open up more readily, leading to quicker solutions.
Another challenge is tight timelines. Sometimes clients expect miraculous results on unrealistic schedules, like wanting to be fit by summer when they are grossly overweight. This is not a realistic goal.
This brings us to managing expectations. We might say we can achieve a goal in 90 days, but it's important to explain what it will take. This might involve limiting diet or other specific actions.
Managing expectations can be difficult because clients often desire incredible turnarounds. There's also an element of being a therapist, which isn't explicitly taught in leadership and management programs.
You may not always have the right words when trying to focus on the business. Managing your own emotions and your clients' emotions can be difficult, especially when dealing with highly emotional situations.
Advizer Personal Links
Not at this time