Want To Get Promoted? Then Think Of Yourself As An 'Internal Consultant'

If you’ve been trying to climb the career ladder or want to get promoted, here’s a technique that can really help: Think of yourself as an ‘internal consultant.’

Consultants are hired to assess a current situation and then create action plans for improvement. They are paid for their expertise and their calm, professional demeanor, especially in times of difficulty. By thinking of yourself as an ‘internal consultant’ you can use this same frame of reference to demonstrate how you add value to your department, to your company and even to your boss. Here’s how:

Remain calm. Consultants must remain composed throughout a consulting engagement or they probably won’t be hired again in the future. You can apply the same technique as an employee. Take a look at how you normally respond when you’re under pressure or angry. If you tend to lash out at others or get defensive, work on changing your behavior.

Analyze all angles of a situation before responding. Consultants are paid to carefully analyze situations from every angle and determine all the potential options before presenting their recommended solution. Following this same process as an employee helps ensure you uncover the root causes of problems, not just symptoms. It will also make sure your ideas are rational and well thought out.
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