Contends that understanding and articulating one's definition of consultation is essential for successful consultation to occur. Reviews and presents for consideration several different definitions of consultation. Discusses main issues that surround operational definitions of consultation. Concludes that consultants' definitions of consultation…

Presents broad introduction to learning, gestalt, systems, organizational, psychoanalytic, and chaos theories of consultation. Demonstrates how consultant can map each of these theories onto consultation environment to produce unique perspective that each theory alone cannot provide. Describes each theory as to how it views and frames consultation…

Notes that Block (1981) saw consultant authenticity as significant to process of consulting and believed that, as consultant acknowledged feelings and thoughts when they surfaced, client commitment and trust would develop. Adds that Block has defined five phases to consulting and detailed work that must be completed in each phase to provide…

Notes that consulting process seems to work similarly regardless of whether consultant is internal or external or is doing individual or group consultation. Contends that some differences may occur depending on whether consultant is process helper or content helper. Reviews several consultation processes, and, from this, presents six-step approach…

Sees diagnosis as process that helps organizations enhance their capacity to assess and change dysfunctional aspects of culture and patterns of behavior as basis for developing greater effectiveness and ensuring continuous improvement. Presents framework for understanding "learning diagnosis" in which diagnostic process is part of large-scale…

Contends that consultants enter into legal contracts each time they agree to consultation arrangement outside regular work setting. Says consultants need to understand legal context of contracts within which they perform services and recognize benefits of written agreement. Notes that written understanding of consultation arrangement can be…

Reviews several general conceptual models that facilitate consultant's conceptual work. Notes that fundamental to effectiveness of consultation is consultant's ability to empower consultees conceptually. Presents and discusses several principles related to achieving this objective. Concludes with discussion targeted to objective of integrating…

Notes that consulting relationship differs from traditional counseling and psychotherapeutic relationships and that these differences require special consideration in evaluating ethical questions and conflicts, identifying ethical parameters within any given situation, and using existing ethical guidelines in determining appropriate courses of…

Sees successful consultation relying on consultant's ability to conceptualize operations of total organization. Presents overview of theoretical and practical applications of construct of organizational effectiveness (OE) in relation to consultation. Identifies barriers limiting earlier conceptualizations and applications of OE. Presents OE model…

Contends that counseling has much in common with organizational consulting. Provides overview of consulting practices that counselors might find useful should they decide to investigate organizational consulting. Includes aspects of market research, gauging competition, and target markets. Considers promotion, networking, and elements of…

Describes new Taoist model as alternative approach to conceptualizing consultation process and to formulating successful, isomorphic interventions constructed to facilitate four change processes. Presents model stressing importance of interrelationships between individuals and groups; integrating repulsion and assimilation forces; balancing human…

Explores empirical research on importance of interpersonal communication skills in consultation. Claims studies have found consultants' facilitative characteristics, along with an appropriate use of verbal and nonverbal skills, to be important in the consultation process. Suggests need for more studies on verbal and nonverbal communication skills.…

Uses examples from different types of colleges and universities to describe how three clusters of institutional properties (mission, philosophy, culture) work together to influence behavior of students, faculty, and administrators. Offers four suggestions for consultants who wish to incorporate appraisals of institutional character in their work.…

Discusses two areas for improving consultation research: defining "boundary" conditions for consultation and analogue research and expanding measures used to evaluate consultation outcome research. Defines consultation as egalitarian relationship between consultant and consultee focusing on problem of third party client and resulting in…

Examines the historical development of consultation and superimposes multicultural theories and models onto several traditional consultation models. Included is a selective review of the literature from consultation, communication, and education that relate to multicultural issues. Makes an ethical imperative for the consultant to acknowledge,…