The Flawless Consulting Fieldbook And
Companion—
A Guide To Understanding Your Expertise
by Peter Block
In
1981 Peter Block wrote "Flawless Consulting," which
became the standard for consultants around the world. It
was the first book many of us picked up to learn the
basics of consulting. The ideas Block shared with us
opened our minds to a new way of viewing our profession.
It was a guide to getting our knowledge used within our
organizations.
Now Block has written "The Flawless Consulting
Fieldbook and Companion-A Guide to Understanding Your
Expertise." The Fieldbook picks up where his first book
left off and takes us to the next level. In a series of
essays, Block and 30 consultants share their perspectives
on the consulting profession.
Like Block, each of the 30 consultants are
accomplished professionals. Their stories help us better
understand our clients, our actions and ourselves, and
inspire us to continue advancing our chosen
profession.
Favorite Chapter: It seems the author indeed
saved the best for last. I especially liked the last
chapter of the book, Twelve Questions to the Most
Frequently Asked Answers. In this chapter, Block
identifies 12 typical organizational issues (such as
"Helpless and Political Manager" or "Wanting Proof
Positive") that we're all too familiar with. He then
frames it with the typical response many consultants or
insiders would give and the intervention that would be
taken. Block then reframes the issue and takes us to a
deeper level. He shares a different way of thinking about
the situation and the conversation we might want to
consider. He creates a deeper conversation that deals
with the real issues and goes beyond the popular
interventions of the day.
Favorite Quote: "What is demanded of us is to
make consulting work something that transcends fashion or
the latest response to customer requirements. We can then
keep the work highly personalized and recognize that
there are a thousand ways of doing it, all of them
bringing value."
It's learning this approach when consulting that
will expand your options and increase the opportunity for
your success and that of the client.
If you're new to the consulting profession,
this book is a must read that will prepare you for the
challenges that lie ahead and give you a glimpse of the
rewards that await you. For those of us who have been in
the profession, it gives us a chance to reflect and
rejoice in our work. Block and the other consultants
share their journeys with us to help us see that there
are options in what we do. This book is a great
opportunity to learn from some of the best. Don't miss
it.
Reviewed by Steve Gibbons, senior consultant, RSM
McGladrey, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa.
The Flawless Consulting Fieldbook and Companion-A
Guide to Understanding Your Expertise, Peter Block,
assisted by Andrea M. Markowitz, 2001,
Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, A Wiley Company, San Francisco, CA,
ISBN: 0-7879-4804-7, 440 pages.
January
2001Homepage
I Will
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