Organizational Consulting: How to Be an Effective Internal Change Agent

When companies hire outside consultants, people within the organization tend to listen. They assume external consultants must be credible because they charge high fees or because they’ve consulted with other companies. Meanwhile, internal consultants–human resources personnel or other internal change agents–must overcome the unfair perception that they are biased.

Consulting is a relationship business. In order to perform to the best of your abilities, you must develop trusting relationships with internal partners and clients, especially those figures who make final decisions based on your advice. But developing that trust is no easy trick. If you’re an internal consultant, you know that before you can even begin to do your job you must overcome any perception that you may lack credibility.

However, there are also advantages to being an internal consultant, such as your familiarity with the organization’s structure, culture, and unique needs and problems. Organizational Consulting shows you how to use the advantages of being inside the organization to better perform your duties while also improving your credibility. A consultant with twenty-five years of experience working with Fortune 1000 companies, Alan Weiss offers pragmatic solutions and methodologies for changing your organization for the better while you advance your career and solidify your position as an integral asset to your company.

The role of the internal consultant is to anticipate, improve, and innovate–and you have to do it all from a delicate position. Organizational Consulting shows you how, by giving you the tools you need to:

• Build trusting relationships with management
• Establish the proper environment for success
• Utilize state-of-the-art interventions
• Develop the skills and attitude you need
• Achieve conceptual agreement
• Formulate workable proposals
• Leverage your success for the future
• Defuse tensions and work within ethical guidelines

"Alan grasps the very essence of organizational consulting. It’s not about foolish fads or mindless meetings, it’s about relationships, trust and focusing on key issues with a sense of urgency that gets results. His principles and techniques are easy to understand and apply."
–Pam Farr 
former senior vice president 
Marriott Lodging, Marriott International, Inc.

"What first appeals about Organizational Consulting is the pragmatic, battle-tested advice. However, the real gem is the underlying ethic–a commitment to honesty, professionalism, and rigor–that will change how you feel about being an HR professional."
–David Creelman
Chief of Content & Research 
HR.com

"A must-read for internal consultants–this book provides a clear road map for success."
–Marilyn Martiny
Total Customer Experience and Quality Manager 
Hewlett-Packard