Consulting is an interesting role. We go about our lives being somewhat experts at what we do, and we think that we have all the answers. That’s why most of us think that doing the same thing as a consultant will be a piece of cake.
Having been on both sides of the table, I am here to tell you that it is, actually, a very different skillset. Most people, in a regular role, will never consider confronting a customer. But not the consultant. In many cases, they actually get hired to confront the client, in a respectful and constructive way. It is very much like pulling off the Band-Aid.