Traits & Characteristics Of Successful Consultants

Having just returned from a Trainer Training in London a month ago, I thought it a good idea to answer one of the questions that I was asked by enough people to make it worthwhile to write about here.nnThe question I've been asked is, "What makes a successful consultant?" Well, I've taken this question and expanded it sideways to include "trainer, teacher, manager, etc." and expanded it upwards to include 'entrepreneur, etc." because to me, whatever it is you're doing professionally, it helps to put yourself in the position, or role, of "consultant" at certain times, places and other contexts.nnBased on my experience with many different people across many different professions, the ones that are the most successful have or do the following things:nnThey are driven - not just ambitious - driven by their passions, their abilities, their purpose. They know themselves so well that they do not need to explain themselves to others. Their behavior "says" it all.nnThey are infectious - their above permeates a room, permeates all they meet, their environment. Some will call this charisma, others energy. Whatever you call it, know what it is because you have not only experienced it, but have it. nnThey are passionate about whatever it is they do, truly passionate. Even when they have the opportunity to "sell" something. They don't have to because their passion spills over onto the people listening and/or in their presence. And most people want to have success.nnThey know the following that I have been saying for years and years - "No one is good at everything, but everyone is good at something". They know what they are good at, and they have built on that. They know what they are not good at and pass it up, or pass it along to someone else, when those opportunities come by. They know their niche and have developed their own "expertise" of it.nnThey are not afraid of hard work - as a matter of fact, it's not they are not afraid of it, they don't equate it with their passion - to them it's not work, it's their life; it's what they love doing. For years I've told people: "Do what you love and you'll never work another day in your life." And at the same time, working 24/7 is part of it for them. This does not mean that they don't make time away from their "career", but there is always that one small wheel clicking away in the back of their mind that keeps them on track.nnThey know that making mistakes is part of making decisions. They don't expect perfection, but they do expect optimization. At the same time, they also have high expectations for themselves, and for others, but they understand how to balance all these towards success.nnThey know how to say "I don't know" with confidence. nThey are continuously learning - not just from seminars, books, tapes, etc., but from the experiences they are having. They are acute observers of their environment and can calibrate interventions well and the results of those interventions, whether theirs or someone else's, regardless of how subtle.nnThey have solid morals and values and their behavior is consistent. They do not waiver. They may change their minds, but only after very careful consideration of new information.nnThey keep things simple - their communication, their strategies, everything possible is kept simple, but not at the expense of wasting resources, more appropriately, they keep things precise.n nThey are honest and they understand dishonesty and are prepared for it. They have a healthy skepticism of the business environment in which they are operating and have the strategies to evaluate opportunities.nnHow many of the above do you honestly have and/or do? Happy Consulting, or whatever it is you do.nn©2007 La Valle, all rights reserved in all media.