Becoming a High Performing ConsultantA guide to success in the workplaceA guide to success in the workplace

Overview & Goals

• Congratulations on your new engagement – we know that your new

employer is delighted to have you on board!

• This guide is designed to give you a high level introduction to what is

expected of you in the workplace

• Through presentation, communication and attitude, you have the power to • Through presentation, communication and attitude, you have the power to

make your consulting engagement not only successful, but mutually

beneficial for you and for the client

Presentation

• When you show up to work, you should always be:

– Clean cut, hygienic

– Dressed appropriately, pressed

– Classic, conservative style

• You only have one chance to make a first impression!

– Have a firm handshake– Have a firm handshake

– Smile

– Be positive

– Make eye contact

• Consider your colleagues – how are they presenting

themselves?

Listening

• Communication can be received in three ways: speech, body language and

writing.

• Listening is the #1 communication tool that you have. Active listening will

indicate that you are engaged, responsive, reflective and are validating the

speaker’s point. In any communication, you must:

– Listen

– Give Feedback

– Participate

Problem Solving

• There are bound to be problems that arise throughout your engagement.

Conquer them with an effective problem solving cycle:

– Recognition: There is a problem

– Analysis: What is the problem?

– Evaluation: How do we address the problem?

– Solution(s): What methods can we use to alleviate the problem?– Solution(s): What methods can we use to alleviate the problem?

– Implementation: Action items to resolve the problem.

– Resolution: Was the problem resolved? How do we avoid this in the

future?

Road Blocks

• If you practice active listening and effective problem solving, you will rarely

hit road blocks in communication. However, many of our “natural” reactions

to conflict or issues will create road blocks, thus deterring you from the

project goals.

Try to avoid phrases such as:

– Don’t worry, I’ll handle it

– Patronizing phrases such as “Let me fix that,” or “You poor thing.”

– Preaching

Body Language

• Body language accounts for the majority of how you are perceived when

communicating to someone in person. Are your arms crossed? Are you

staring at the ceiling? Show respect for those around you by:

– Making appropriate eye contact

– Minding your facial expressions

– Watch your posture– Watch your posture

– Stay off of your phone

– Nod or smile in agreement

– Smile

Attitude

• Being a true consultant means that you have an objective and authoritative

approach to your work

• How do you come across that way?

– Avoid “water cooler” talk, office politics, etc.

– Keep a positive tone

– Stick to your job duties– Stick to your job duties

– Manage conflict professionally and with a level head

Writing

• Know your audience and the message that you would like to send them

• Be mindful of business etiquette when writing:

– Professional tone

– Efficient

– Protection from liability

• CAPS LOCK is usually unnecessary and sometimes inappropriate

• Spell and grammar check all of your work, use appropriate punctuation• Spell and grammar check all of your work, use appropriate punctuation

• Structure your work in a sensible order

• Use a meaningful subject

• Write without emotion

• Respond in a timely fashion, only utilize Reply All when necessary

• Emoticons are not usually acceptable in the workplace

Writing, contd.

• These are excerpts

from a company

newsletter filled with

inappropriate

stereotypes,

anecdotes and crazy

punctuation. The punctuation. The

message is not

concise or direct and it

is likely that the reader

lost interest before

even getting to the

point of the email

Conference calls

• On a conference call:

– Take turns speaking

– Speak slowly and articulate, without yelling

– Mind the delays between lines

– Identify yourself when you speak

– Call in on time– Call in on time

– Mute the call when you aren’t speaking

– Don’t eat, chew, etc.

– Silence your cell phone

– Smile – the other end can hear it

Meetings

• If you are going to schedule a meeting, consider:

– Why do you need to meet?

– Is there a better way to go about the topic?

– Does everyone you want to invite add value?

– What do you want the results to be?

• Send a calendar invite with a reminder

• Prepare an agenda of top-level items to cover • Prepare an agenda of top-level items to cover

• Provide contact details for remote participants

• Establish ground rules at the beginning

• Summarize decisions/action items at the end

Practice DEPTH

As a Greythorn consultant, we

trust you exemplify our Vision &

Values.

If you are unsure about your

next step while you’re on a

project, remember these to help

you conquer tough situations. you conquer tough situations.

As always, Greythorn is here to

guide you throughout your

engagement.

Welcome to the team!