The Consultant's Calling

If you "help others with what they need and want," you will treasure this book and re-read it every year for a "tune-up." How do you create integrity in your work, bring honor to the profession, and gain your client's trust and gratitude? The author believes our best service to clients is accomplished through consciousness of self, and he calls on those of us with "radical hearts and pin-striped suits" to lead clients by our example to have the courage to implement our recommendations and thereby fulfill their organization's needs and our own. He says we must make our "values and viewpoints" evident to clients so they know they're buying a human being's integrity and expertise, and he walks his talk on every page. Most valuable to me is his clear insight into the mind and heart of the client, the person across the table who's hiring me. I have 10 years of consulting experience and am now building a practice in a new area, and this book gave me (1) practical advice on getting clients and making money, updated for today's marketplace and client expectations; (2) an inspiring reminder of how valuable I am to my clients and (3) a role model for creating a life for myself with contribution, friendship, and integrity at its center. Read this book if you are a coaching professional, management consultant, dentist, attorney, financial advisor, personal trainer, or any other client-focused service professional.

"All my life, as a girl, as a professional consultant and now as a retired elder I have shaped myself to be able to answer the internal question: 'Am I truly making a difference in the world? Am I truly living my beliefs through the contributions?' And one day, some years ago I found Geoff Bellman and The Consultant's Calling. I wanted to shout out loud in my room, " Yes, that's it! That's what it's all about!" It affirmed for me everything I believed... and we need affirmation with regularity, because it's often lonely out there. This book has been an inspiration for me and the most important part of reading it over and over is that it affirms what's best in me and my work. It was relevant and spoke to me then as it does now. Reaquaint yourself with the new edition of Consultant's Calling. It's a gem."

I discovered this book back in 1995 while vacationing in the SF Bay area and trying to make up my mind whether I should become self employed as a consultant and business coach. Of the whole box of "how to" books which I lugged home, and of the countless pieces of advice offered by friends this is the one I took seriously. This author gave me a taste of what it takes to be a consultant, before I took the plunge. Good work. It goes to the bottom of things. On rainy days, I keep going back to it.

If you ever thought you wanted to be a consultant, this is a MUST READ. It gives you personal insights from a life filled with experiences and helps you understand what it is you're getting into before you make the move.

Best book on consulting I've read; it helps frame what one can bring *as a person* to a consulting career. Completely different context then the usual "make $200k a year as a consultant from your own home" books. I'm buying a copy for me, and one for a friend who is just entering the field.