Two
Aspects of Consultant Role
First, EO is
a resource to your organization.
The dictionary defines a resource as:
Something that can be used for support or help. An available
supply that can be drawn on when needed.
Notice that the resource is there to be drawn
on like a well. There is no verb in the dictionary "to resource."
EO does not engage in pouring water on the client's head. Seen
as a trusted partner, EO works where and when needed. The client
provides the driving force for the project for which EO provides
expertise when called for.
Second, as a resource, EO functions
as a catalyst:
A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the
reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction
without being consumed in the process.
Therefore, EO is a resource added temporarily to your organization
to increase the rate of your process of creating an Extraordinary
Organization.
Primary
Focus of the Catalyzing Process
The primary
focus of catalysis is on creating a quantum
leap in the quality of thinking of organization members.
Yes, people must upgrade the quality of their actions. But their
thinking determines those actions. Therefore, unlike most consultants,
EO focuses first on improving thinking then on actions or behaviors.
EO accomplishes this in three ways:
Augmenting -
Helping people upgrade their own thinking by questioning, providing
knowledge, providing thinking frameworks, and the like. For
instance, the catalyst might ask questions to help someone think
through a decision more thoroughly. He directs his effort at
helping you
improve your thinking.
Collaborating
- Thinking together in a joint effort to bring more ideas, more
clarity, and more creativity to whatever you are working on.
For instance, together you might generate ideas to redesign
an activity or create a new process. The catalyst and client
direct their effort at thinking
together.
Supplementing
- When the catalyst has expertise that the client only need
sonce, he will, in some special cases, actually do some thinking
for you. For instance he might design and administer a one-time
survey to collect information. He directs his effort at thinking
for you.
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