When I first began taking on clients and projects as a consultant…I was somewhat unsure of my solid competency in this new area of work.  Yes I was a pretty good Director…manager of people and an organization…but I was not totally confident in may abilities to advise/recommend/instruct others!  So in the beginning of my consultant role I found myself relying too heavily on sharing information on MY innovative projects and initiatives instead of solidly addressing the challenges of the individual or organization I was hired to help.

What was my corrective action?

Well I decided I needed to be more like my long time mentor and colleague Dr. LB!  He was (and still is) a GREAT consultant.  During my years of knowing him as a college professor and consultant, he always was solid in his customer service approach…handled tough questions and was admired as someone who really helped people/organizations.  So how did I do as a consultant…trying to be more like Dr. LB and assimilate his style and processes?  Honestly…I think I was worse!

Recalling these moments of self-evaluation and corrective action…pushed me to draft this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message:  Are YOU An Assimilator??

“Assimilation systematically erodes self-esteem as surely as water wears down granite.  The tragic consequence of assimilation is that it destroys a piece of ourselves.  Without a sense of ourselves we can not draw on the unique talents that make us truly valuable.  Even those who win by assimilating ultimately lose, for after all it is only the artificial self who got (did) the job.”

(Second To None:  The Productive Power of Putting People First by Charles Garfield)

This quote by Mr. Garfield really sums up the negatives of trying to be someone else as a professional.  As an Assimilator you stifle your own creativity and eliminate any sense of authenticity you may bring to your job/organization.  And speaking from my own personal experiences…my growth as a consultant really started when I began “just being myself” as an instructor, good listener, and LEADER.