Some Issues in Contracting: A Study

Abstract

Client and consultant in any intervention will have differing needs and expectations of the outcomes of their working association. There seem to be considerable skills demanded on both sides during the process of entering into an “engagement” and lack of care and sensitivity in the early stages can often lead to disappointments, frustrations and unfulfilled (but perhaps undisclosed) expectations. This article looks at one particular consultancy relationship where inadequate attention was focused by the external consultant on these particular issues of the role. In fact, the need to be “of assistance”, “to help” and “to display a competence” with the client resulted in too much attention being placed on a deep diagnosis, and its reflecting back to the client at too early a stage of the engagement. Rather than facilitating the relationship it is suggested that it in some ways it seriously disenabled the client group to accept the diagnosis made in order for effective and collaborative work to proceed.

Citation

Walton, M. (1981), "Some Issues in Contracting: A Study", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 28-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb053478