What is consulting?
The word “consulting” comes from German and refers to the act of providing advice, recommendations, or information to someone who needs support or guidance in a specific matter. It involves the process in which an individual or a group of individuals share their expertise, opinions, or knowledge to help others with decision-making or problem-solving. Consulting can take place in various contexts, such as personal, professional, medical, legal, or financial matters.
What does good consulting mean?
Good consulting requires several essential steps and qualities to be truly effective and valuable.
Here are some tips on how to deliver effective consulting:
1. Listening: Start by actively listening to your counterpart. Allow them to explain their situation, concerns, and issues in detail without interrupting.
2. Empathy: Show understanding and empathy for the person’s feelings and challenges. Empathy creates a trusting environment and demonstrates that you care about their well-being.
3. Confidentiality: Emphasize from the very beginning that the conversation is confidential. People are more likely to openly discuss their problems when they feel secure.
4. Clear Communication: Use clear and understandable language. Avoid technical jargon unless your counterpart is familiar with the subject matter.
5. Asking Questions: Ask open-ended questions to gather more information and encourage your counterpart to elaborate on their thoughts.
6. Neutrality: Remain as neutral and objective as possible. Your own opinion should not dominate the consulting process.
7. Solution-Oriented: Help your counterpart explore different possible solutions. Encourage them to reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
8. Individual Needs: Take into account that every person has different needs and personalities. What works for one individual may not be suitable for another.
9. Realistic Expectations: Help set realistic expectations. Sometimes quick or perfect solutions are not possible, and this should be communicated clearly.
10. Action Plans: Support your counterpart in developing concrete steps of action. This helps to put what has been learned into practice.
11. Follow-Up: Stay in touch and check on the progress. This shows that you are genuinely interested and care about the well-being of your counterpart.
12. Knowing Limits: If the issue lies outside your expertise or requires professional assistance, do not hesitate to refer your counterpart to the appropriate specialists.
Good consulting requires practice and sensitivity. It is about creating a supportive and encouraging environment in which the person seeking advice feels safe and receives the necessary support to address their challenges.
And don’t forget — what should consulting never mean?
Beratung bedeutet nicht, jemandem ungefragt Ratschläge aufzudrängen oder eine bestimmte Lösung aufzuzwingen. Es ist wichtig zu verstehen, was Beratung nicht ist, um sicherzustellen, dass die Beratung effektiv und respektvoll durchgeführt wird:
1. Paternalism: Consulting should not be used as a way to impose one’s own opinion on others. It is about offering support and information, rather than taking control over the decision-making of the person seeking advice.
2. One-Dimensionality: Consulting should not present only a single solution or approach. It is important to consider different perspectives and options, enabling the person seeking advice to make their own informed decisions.
3. Lack of Empathy: Consulting should never be emotionless or dismissive. A lack of empathy can make the person seeking advice feel misunderstood or unsupported.
4. Arrogance: Consultants should not give the impression that they know everything or have the answers to all questions. An open attitude and the willingness to learn from others are essential.
5. Solution Enforcement: Consulting should not be used to pressure someone into making a particular decision. The person seeking advice should have the freedom to make their own choice without feeling manipulated.
6. Unprofessional Conduct: Consulting should always take place in an appropriate, respectful, and professional environment. Inappropriate behavior, discrimination, or prejudice have no place in consulting.
7. Criticism and Judgment: Consulting should not be about criticizing or judging someone. The goal is to create a supportive environment in which the person seeking advice feels comfortable opening up and speaking honestly about their concerns.
8. Self-Interest: Consulting should not be used to pursue one’s own interests or agenda. The focus must remain on the needs and goals of the person seeking advice.
In summary, consulting should be empathetic, respectful, and focused on the individual needs and goals of the person seeking advice. The aim is to create a supportive environment in which the individual is empowered to make informed decisions and address challenges in an appropriate way.