Serving as a Consultant

What is a consultant? A consultant is an individual (or, occasionally, a group or organization) that brings experience and expertise about an issue or process to an initiative, organization, group, government entity, or community. A consultant might have knowledge relating to an issue (theoretical, experiential, or both), knowledge of a process (usually both theoretical and experiential), or a specific skill.

Why might you serve as a consultant? You might serve as a consultant… To facilitate a particular intervention or initiative. To benefit or have a positive impact on a population you serve or are concerned with. To nurture an organization that will provide a needed service to the community. To cement relationships with other organizations, and encourage collaboration rather than competition among health, human service, and community workers. To gain recognition and credibility for your organization, or establish it as an “expert” in the field. To earn needed money for your organization. To help solve a longstanding community problem.

Who might serve as a consultant? Current or former program directors or other staffers who have direct experience with an issue, with a population, or with organizational design, development, and management. Current or former local or state officials, legislators, and others who’ve dealt with issues from the policy standpoint. Community activists. Advocates. Members of the target community or population. Academics – including students – who work on a particular issue or process. People with organizational and process skills – counselors, mediators, social workers, psychologists, etc.

When might you serve as a consultant? You might be asked to serve as a consultant… At the beginning of something new. When an organization or group is having a problem. When the community sets out to tackle an issue you’ve been working on. When you see an opportunity to help, and believe you have the knowledge, expertise, and skills to do so. When your acting as a consultant would clearly benefit the population you care about, or add to the credibility and reputation of your organization. When you’re asked.

How do you serve as a consultant? You define your role as – Advisor – Facilitator – Expert Specialist – Trainer You define your relationship with the group you’re working with.

How do you serve as a consultant? You do your homework, learning all you can about: – The organization or group you’re working with – The community – The issue at hand

How do you serve as a consultant? You tailor your guidance or work to the organization or community you’re working with. – Adjust your style, your suggestions, your guidance, etc. to what people will accept. – Take the group’s unique circumstances into account. – Examine the issue at hand in relation to the particular group, organization, or community you’re working with. – Pay attention to the potential consequences of any advice, action, process, etc. that you propose. – Be flexible. – Keep your eye on the long term. – Institutionalize your work.