Lippitt Lippitt Chapter 1 Consultation An Expanding Process
- Slides: 7
Lippitt & Lippitt: Chapter 1 Consultation: An Expanding Process Summary by Ivy Li 1. 17. 99
What is consultation? l Consultation is a two-way interaction: a process of seeking, giving, and receiving help. l Consulting is aimed to mobilize internal and external resources to deal with problem confrontations and change efforts.
The Growing need l There will be an increase in the complexity of problems and the need for integration of different disciplines or sources of expertise. l Needs for help are accelerating faster than the preparation of professional helpers. l Top priority is to recruit and train the nonprofessionals in the skills of helping and supporting as part of the consulting teams.
Intervention Contexts l As consultants, we want to help the clients with the proactive posture of exploring readiness and potential for improvement than just focus on diagnosis of pain. l Some of the intervention contexts include: – – – downsizing situation expansion situation decentralization situation merger situation quality-improvement situation demonstration and dissemination situation
Types of Client Systems l Client systems can be a person or a small unit such as a family. It can be a small group such as a team or a staff unit. It can also be a total organizational system, for instance, an agency or a company. l The size of the client system influences: – decisions concerning the credibility and competencies required of the consultant – the type and size of consultation design
Contracts and focuses l A helping relationship may vary in duration and sequence, for example: – a one-contract relationship – a single major contract with a sequence of follow-up supportive relationships – a defined series of session (e. g. a semester course) – an indeterminant helping contract l Helping effort may focus on: – – functioning of a total system one part of the client system one function or problem of the client relationship between groups
Expanding role of consultants l Develop the skills of co-consultants l Incorporate client representatives into the consulting team l Develop facilitators within the client system l Enhance consultant’s flexibility and variety l Offer opportunities to young professionals who want to grow