How to Get Started In Organizational Consulting [On-Air Coaching with David Manguiat]

A question I get a lot is, "How do I break into organizational consulting?"

Even though I retired from organizational consulting, I am so grateful for my years advising the executives at Walt Disney World around transformational change. As an organization development consultant, I played a key role in aligning the senior executive team around how service was delivered on the front lines, what needed to happen to establish Disney's Animal Kingdom as a must-see park, and how the creative and operational teams partnered together.

For this reason, I was thrilled to have a conversation with graduate school student David Manguiat on how to break into this high-profile, high-impact profession.

Watch this on-air coaching session if you are someone who:

• Like David, wants organizational consulting to be your primary career path
• Is in Human Resources and wants more organization development type work
• Is a consulting business owner seeking to break into the larger companies

In this session, you'll discover more than how to get started but what it TRULY takes to succeed as an executive advisor and how to influence change that ACTUALLY sticks.

To find your place in business, you need to:

• Find the problem you want to solve, and who has it? To do this, you need to understand your gifts. I told David that his degree is less critical than honing his skills and strengths. He is discovering that his strength is his love to perform.
• If you are still in school, realize what percentage of the classes you are taking interest you? That also tells you what isn't for you. 

To be an organizational development consultant, you have to:

1. Be a systems thinker.
2. Be able to simplify the complex. Get data down to its essence. You win executives over by how you sort and organize ideas.
3. Be able to hold your own with people who are older than you—advocate for yourself.
4. Have political savvy. Many ideas don't hold because the OD can't get people on board.
5. Realize there is no place on the org chart for you. You have to carve it out yourself.

The X factor - being able to hold your own with executives and wrangle stakeholders.

Problems tackled through organizational development:

• ODs are typically brought in when a company is going from one life cycle to the next. Leadership and practices have not caught up to the next stage, and they need help.
• Stakeholders are not on the same page for growth strategies.
• 99% of the time, it's related to politics. 
• They are winning as many customers as they are losing.
• They can't build the revenue.
• It boils down to organizations being in transition.

The X factor - strategic consultants will position themselves against transitional issues.

How to break into organizational development - find a mentor and make yourself indispensable.

No matter where you are if you are trying to break into organizational development:

• Learn the organizational consulting engagement cycle.
• Learn how to deliver results from influences rather than positional authority.
• Learn how to push back productively.
• Learn how to approach everything from a systems perspective.

About Me: 

• Betsy Jordyn is a Business Mentor & Brand Positioning Strategist that helps consulting and coaching business owners clarify their brand positioning and messaging, create a website presence that positions them as sought-after experts, land clients with ease and integrity, and take their place as thought leaders and influencers in their niche. Her mission is to help consultants and coaches monetize their best-at strengths and authentic passions to make a bigger difference in the world. Check out her brand strategy, messaging, and design services at https://www.betsyjordyn.com

Next Step:

This is about up-leveling your influence and sustainable change you can help create – WITHOUT having to invest thousands of dollars and hours in grad school.

Therefore, I ONLY recommend that you consider upgrading to the full OD Consultant’s Toolbox if you can check off at least 3 of the following:

1. You’re already “sold” on the idea that organizations exist for reasons beyond profit – that people and purpose are equally important.
2. You see yourself as a change agent and advisor, but you simply lack the know-how and tools to step into the role.
3. You’re open to reinventing how you position yourself with leaders – from “order-taker” and “extra pair of hands.”
4. You’re over those small, one-off tactical projects and ready for the more meaty and transformational engagements.
5. You’re excited to learn new approaches and or add new consulting and advising tools to your existing toolbox.
6. You want to be challenged to take your place as a sought-after advisor to the C-Suite, with the confidence to speak truth to power.

If you found yourself nodding your head to at least 3 of those…

I’d love to personally invite you to check out more details here and take advantage of my exclusive “Name Your Price” offer.

Connect on social:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BetsyJordyn
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
• Twitter = https://twitter.com/BetsyJordyn

Related Blog, Video, or Podcast Episodes:

• Consulting vs. Leading
• 5 Steps of the Consulting Engagement Cycle
• Want to Land a Six-Figure Consulting Project? Swipe my Consulting Proposal Template

Getting Free Coaching from Me:

Got a burning question about growing a profitable business you love? Email me at [email protected] about the potential of being my next "On-Air Coaching" guest. You'll get my expert guidance and help thousands of other consultants and coaches who share your vision and challenges.