Flawless Consulting

PRAISE FOR Flawless Consulting, Fourth Edition "In this new edition, Peter Block further refines his unique offering of frameworks and practical guidance for facilitating transformation (and creating health) in human systems. Peter is a sage advisor, artfully demonstrating how to cultivate change based on invitations, authenticity, engagement, and respect. What is notable is continued movement beyond diagnosis and intervention, toward an intentionally generative approach in which the new emerges through collaborative co-creation-the same remarkable shift that my colleagues and I are striving to advance and understand in healthcare."
-PAUL N. UHLIG, MD, MPA, FACS, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Kansas Medical Center, Andover, Kansas "Peter Block's Fourth Edition of Flawless Consulting is the same invaluable treasure-trove of consulting insights, values, steps, checklists, and thoughtful questions that were in earlier versions. But the latest edition has incorporated the new realities of working virtually, conducting key steps with clients online, and updated thoughts on the power of strength-based approaches to addressing deep problems. This revised classic continues to be a 'must-read' for those new to consulting, and a 'must-reread' for those of us who thought we were doing well, but now realize there are numerous ways to improve. If you are a consultant of any type, at any level of experience, you will find old and new wisdom here to lift up your practice, engage effectively, and serve clients with more impact."
-SETH R. SILVER, Ed.D., President, Silver Consulting, Inc; Co-author of Meaningful Partnership at Work "I first encountered Flawless Consulting years ago as a mid-level HR generalist. The HR function at my employer was struggling with partnering and execution challenges across departments. Flawless Consulting introduced terminology and tools to navigate misaligned HR service delivery expectations and strained relationships. Fast forward to the digital age and this program is as relevant as ever. Bots and data analytics aren't solving human interface opportunities-Flawless Consulting does."
-WALLY KUHNS, President, WK Leader Solutions, Encinitas, CA

PETER BLOCK is a bestselling author and veteran consultant who creates workplaces and communities that work for everyone. He is the founder of Designed Learning, a training company that offers workshops to build the skills outlined in his books.

Introduction: What is Enduring | What is New | Keeping it Simple xi Chapter 1 A Consultant by Any Other Name 1 Part 1 Fundamentals 11 Chapter 2 Techniques Are Not Enough 13 Chapter 3 Being Right-Really 25 Chapter 4 Flawless Consulting 41 Part 2 Entry and Contracting 53 Chapter 5 Contracting Overview 55 Chapter 6 The Contracting Meeting 69 Chapter 7 Some Nuances of Contracting 87 Chapter 8 Some Agonies of Contracting 97 Chapter 9 The Internal Consultant's Dilemma 117 Part 3 More Fundamentals 125 Chapter 10 Understanding Resistance 127 Chapter 11 Dealing with Resistance 145 Chapter 12 Technology: A Marriage of Myth, Convenience, and the Virtual Hour 155 Part 4 Discovery and Underlying Concerns 163 Chapter 13 From Diagnosis to Discovery 165 Chapter 14 Whole-System Discovery 177 Chapter 15 Discovering Gifts, Capacities, and Acting on What We Know 183 Part 5 Analysis and the Decision to Act 203 Chapter 16 Focusing on the Picture 205 Chapter 17 Preparing for Feedback 217 Chapter 18 Managing the Meeting for Action 225 Part 6 Engagement and Implementation 239 Chapter 19 Implementation 241 Chapter 20 The Structures of Engagement 249 Part 7 Extension, Recycle, or Termination 263 Chapter 21 Transformation Will Not Be Televised, Livestreamed, or Managed 265 Online Appendix: Handy Checklists You Can Use 275 Further Reading 277 Acknowledgments 279 About The Author 283 Index 285