The client’s role in the consulting relationship: is there “con” in consulting?

Abstract

Questions the simplistic cynical line on consulting as “consultobabble” sold to passive and vulnerable managers. Consultants do engage in impression management but their narrative comes from a complex interdependent client‐consultant relationship where both parties define and feed each other’s needs and identities. Moreover, the symbolic roles consultants may perform means that they – the consultants – may be “manipulated” by clients, further emphasising this complex two‐way relationship.

Citation

Williams, R. (2001), "The client’s role in the consulting relationship: is there “con” in consulting?", Managerial Auditing Journal, Vol. 16 No. 9, pp. 519-522. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006084