This guide is designed to help new or inexperienced consultants grasp the basics of workplace etiquette and complete a successful engagement without a hitch.

1. Becoming a High
Performing Consultant
A guide to success in the workplaceA guide to success in the workplace

2. Overview & Goals
• Congratulations on your new engagement – we know that your new
employer is delighted to have you on board!
• This guide is designed to give you a high level introdu ction to what is
expected of you in the workplace
• Through presentation, communication and attitude, you have the power to• Through presentation, communication and attitude, you have the power to
make your consulting engagement not only successful, but mu tually
beneficial for you and for the client

3. Presentation
• When you show up to work, you should always be:
– Clean cut, hygienic
– Dressed appropriately, pressed
– Classic, conservative style
• You only have one chance to make a first impression!
– Have a firm handshake– Have a firm handshake
– Smile
– Be positive
– Make eye contact
• Consider your colleagues – how are they presenting
themselves?

4. Listening
• Communication can be received in three ways: speech , body language and
writing.
• Listening is the #1 communication tool that you have. Active listeni ng will
indicate that you are engaged, responsive, reflective and are validating the
speaker’s point. In any communication, you must:
– Listen
– Give Feedback
– Participate

5. Problem Solving
• There are bound to be problems that arise throughout your engagement.
Conquer them with an effective problem solving cycle:
– Recognition : There is a problem
– Analysis : What is the problem?
– Evaluation : How do we address the problem?
– Solution(s) : What methods can we use to alleviate the problem?– Solution(s) : What methods can we use to alleviate the problem?
– Implementation: Action items to resolve the problem.
– Resolution : Was the problem resolved? How do we avoid this in the
future?

6. Road Blocks
• If you practice active listening and effective problem sol ving, you will rarely
hit road blocks in communication. However, many of our “n atural” reactions
to conflict or issues will create road blocks, thus deterring you from the
project goals.
Try to avoid phrases such as:
– Don’t worry, I’ll handle it
– Patronizing phrases such as “Let me fix that,” or “You poor thing.”
– Preaching

7. Body Language
• Body language accounts for the majority of how you ar e perceived when
communicating to someone in person. Are your arms crossed? Are you
staring at the ceiling? Show respect for those around yo u by:
– Making appropriate eye contact
– Minding your facial expressions
– Watch your posture– Watch your posture
– Stay off of your phone
– Nod or smile in agreement
– Smile

8. Attitude
• Being a true consultant means that you have an objective and authoritative
approach to your work
• How do you come across that way?
– Avoid “water cooler” talk, office politics, etc.
– Keep a positive tone
– Stick to your job duties– Stick to your job duties
– Manage conflict professionally and with a level head

9. Writing
• Know your audience and the message that you would like to send them
• Be mindful of business etiquette when writing:
– Professional tone
– Efficient
– Protection from liability
• CAPS LOCK is usually unnecessary and sometimes inappropri ate
• Spell and grammar check all of your work, use appropriat e punctuation• Spell and grammar check all of your work, use appropriat e punctuation
• Structure your work in a sensible order
• Use a meaningful subject
• Write without emotion
• Respond in a timely fashion, only utilize Reply All w hen necessary
• Emoticons are not usually acceptable in the workplace

10. Writing, contd.
• These are excerpts
from a company
newsletter filled with
inappropriate
stereotypes,
anecdotes and crazy
punctuation. Thepunctuation. The
message is not
concise or direct and it
is likely that the reader
lost interest before
even getting to the
point of the email

11. Conference calls
• On a conference call:
– Take turns speaking
– Speak slowly and articulate, without yelling
– Mind the delays between lines
– Identify yourself when you speak
– Call in on time– Call in on time
– Mute the call when you aren’t speaking
– Don’t eat, chew, etc.
– Silence your cell phone
– Smile – the other end can hear it

12. Meetings
• If you are going to schedule a meeting, consider:
– Why do you need to meet?
– Is there a better way to go about the topic?
– Does everyone you want to invite add value?
– What do you want the results to be?
• Send a calendar invite with a reminder
• Prepare an agenda of top -level items to cover• Prepare an agenda of top -level items to cover
• Provide contact details for remote participants
• Establish ground rules at the beginning
• Summarize decisions/action items at the end

13. Practice DEPTH
As a Greythorn consultant, we
trust you exemplify our Vision &
Values.
If you are unsure about your
next step while you’re on a
project, remember these to help
you conquer tough situations.you conquer tough situations.
As always, Greythorn is here to
guide you throughout your
engagement.
Welcome to the team!