Teamwork

It is fall.  Is there any more sure sign than the amount of football around us?  The NFL is in week two, the CFL is in the heart of their season and College football is in full swing.  Pinch me, but the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions are 2-0.  Am I dreaming or is this real?

I am not sure there a better example of teamwork than the sport of football.  Of the 11 men on the field in the NFL, 10 serve as support for the ball carrier, whether that be the QB, the receivers or running back.  As illustrated in the above photo, more than 90% of the players put their bodies at risk so someone else - the ball carrier - can have clear ground to run.

This is a great analogy for what management consultants do for their clients:  we do whatever it takes, so the client can have success.  In fact, if a consultant really wants the client to embrace the solution, they have to deftly ensure that the client is part of the analysis, the discovery and the process.  Clients may believe they came up with the solution...and may even downplay the role of the consultant.

But, as consultants, we know the work we do.  We till the soil so the plants or ideas can grow.  We bring objectivity and independence so outside ideas can be considered.  We open the minds of the stakeholders so plans can take root.  We serve as outside influences so plans are not put off and do not go astray.

We are the blockers from football.......we create the space so the client can have clear ground to run.

The next time you watch a football game, I urge you to watch it thinking how the roles are similar to the client/consultant relationship.