Ugh . . . homework (and I even had two weeks to do it!)

September 7, 2008 | Tagged Expert, process consulting | Leave a Comment

To (mis)quote the theme from Super Chicken, “I knew the job was dangerous when I took it.” Seriously, I knew that graduate school would include homework/reading. I seriously don’t know how you guys with a full time job AND a family take on two or three (or more) classes at once. My hat is off to you.

So our first reading assignment focused defining process consulting. Like most of my classmates, my initial concept of a consultant was more of the the subject-matter expert. I’ll elaborate further and say that as a rule, I think of most consultants as people who were good at their jobs (well, maybe) but got greedy and figured they could make more money telling other people how to do it. Sorry consultants.

I still think there is a place for external subject-matter experts (it’s hard to be a prophet in your own hometown) and that is supported, grudgingly, even by Schein who acknowledges that there may be a time when the doctor-patient model of consulting is appropriate. I’m not quite convinced that he believes it. I think this is because he eliminates all of the patient responsibility from it – sort of like my 87-year-old mother’s relationship to her doctor. To her, the doctor is, well, God. Infallible and not to be questioned. The day that my doctor’s word is indisputable will never arrive, much to the delight of us both. Our relationship has always been one of mutual responsibility for my medical care (not that doctors tend to cover their asses any more in this litigious society). But I digress.

I like the idea of process consulting. I like the foundation of mutual responsibility inherent in it. As for the two texts, I found Schein annoying and difficult to read (ZZZzzzzzzzz….)– typical academia-speak. However, I love reading Block’s book. Clearly written for the non-academic (then what am I doing in graduate school). I found myself nodding in agreement at least once per page. He really speaks to me; indeed, I am the in-house variety of consultant. Lots of influence — very little power.