What are the key skills and mindsets for consultants to thrive in a fast-changing and uncertain environment?

Consultants are primarily looked at as either SMEs who bring deep expertise of a particular domain or functional area, or as generalists with vast breadth of knowledge about global best practices. In both scenarios, it is very important to stay abreast of latest trends and updated with relevant advancements. Innovation in consulting is about leveraging your knowledge and contextualising it to the client's need and helping them identify and then solve for challenges.

The minute you're copying someone else, you're already behind. Strategies you see competitors using are the result of months or years of past decisions in play. Don't copy others. Don't also try to bring original innovation to the market. Leave that to academics, authors, and R&D. Instead, the best consultants remix proven frameworks and strategies in a way that gives them a competitive edge. That's innovation in consulting.

My popular definition of innovation is as follows: "Innovation transforms the useful seeds of invention into widely adopted solutions valued above every existing alternative." It is important to draw a distinction between innovation and invention, and to highlight that for something to become an innovation it must be widely adopted. For consultants to be successful in assisting with innovation they must leverage the organization's innovation vision, strategy and goals or help to create them.

To thrive in a fast-changing and uncertain environment, consultants need to have a number of key skills and mindsets. They need to be adaptable, able to think critically and creatively, and have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. They also need to be resilient, able to handle stress and uncertainty, and have a strong sense of empathy and understanding of client needs. Additionally, consultants need to stay up-to-date on industry trends and be able to quickly learn and apply new information. By possessing these qualities, consultants can successfully navigate any challenges that may arise and provide valuable insights and solutions to their clients.

I agree. Innovation also helps consultants improve their own processes, tools, and methodologies, making them more efficient, effective, and scalable.

Consultants act as external advisors to leaders. They are expected to bring deep subject matter expertise and insights from what other organisations are doing. Hence, by definition, they are expected to stay one step ahead of the industry and stay abreast of global best practices and cutting edge advancements in order to deliver value to their clients.

It is important to draw a distinction between innovation and improvement, and to note that in most cases what the organization really needs (and will support) is some type of improvement more than true innovation. If you get lucky and find a client that invests over the long term in innovation, then understanding where they are in the typical 30-50 year cycle becomes incredibly crucial.

Innovation is a team sport, and in the best-selling book 'Stoking Your Innovation Bonfire' I introduced the concept of innovation as a team sport and that organizations should take a roles-based approach to crafting successful teams made up of The Nine Innovation Roles (9roles.com): 1. Revolutionary 2. Conscript 3. Connector 4. Artist 5. Customer Champion 6. Troubleshooter 7. Judge 8. Magic Maker 9. Evangelist

Innovation is a skill like any other and requires an environment of patience, fearless risk taking and enabling technological support. Create collaborative tools to nurture free sharing of ideas and internalise a culture of psychological safety to promote innovation within your team and eventually your organisation.

I have come to realize that establishing a safe environment for collaboration and allowing time for experimentation are essential components for fostering an innovative culture. Creating an environment where fresh ideas can thrive is critical. Encourage your team to experiment and take risks, viewing failures as valuable learning experiences. Instead of solely focusing on results, acknowledge and appreciate your team's participation in the innovation process. Nurturing a growth mindset, where learning and advancement are celebrated. Prioritize dedicated time for innovation within your team's schedule. Lead by example, showcasing your dedication to nurturing a culture of innovation.

The fact is, clients need advisors that are NOT from their industry. "Outsiders" are the only advisors that can provide an objective point-of-view and new perspectives that enable breakthrough thinking. Why? They think differently than the client does - or anyone else with deep industry experience. An outsider, doesn’t know that the question that they’re about to ask might be seen as a dumb one. So, they ask it! Moreover, when they do, breakthroughs in thinking happen -- and, that just might expose the path needed to overcome the competition.