There’s one question that people ask me each time I facilitate the Consulting Skills Certificate program: “Am I a consultant if my title doesn’t use the term but I’m acting in that capacity?”

As business needs focus on aligning talent with learning to produce greater business value more quickly, learning and development professionals are acting as consultants to their business partners more often. The ability to partner early in the business process and develop long-term relationships rather than having to react to a problem with a training solution connects us as L&D professionals with an organizational development approach for our clients.

A skilled consultant is curious about her client’s business needs, asking crucial questions to focus efforts on gathering accurate data to determine the best approach to the opportunity or challenge. Deep questions can help uncover the real issue your client is facing, creating greater commitment by both of you to address the problem together.

The most common aha moment for participants in the consulting skills program is the application of the ATD 5-D Model, which details a process to ensure that all aspects of effective consulting are applied. One of the biggest frustrations for consultants occurs when clients immediately jump from defining the issue to deciding on a solution without gathering the data or assessing possible solutions. The ATD 5-D Model is a tool that organizes the consulting process and the consultant.

The Consulting Skills Certificate is offered as both an instructor-led and online course. I facilitate both platforms and find participants excited by a variety of hands-on opportunities and the opportunity to learn from colleagues. At the end of the course they are committed to implementing the model and best practices of consulting.