What We Actually Do:
The "Behavioral Science" Management Consultant
We are psychological consultants to management. As experts in "behavioral science," we are dedicated to helping you keep the internal workings of your organization both strong and healthy.
Our mission is to augment company efficiency and effectiveness by...
- building commitment and loyalty to the company and its goals
- assessing individual potential and organizational strength
- helping to solve problems in a wide range of areas
- discreetly and unobtrusively handling delicate situations
- enhancing communication and cooperation among departments, divisions, and individuals
- promoting good working relationships within organizations comprised of varied business cultures, especially prior to and after mergers-acquisitions, and
- advising and supporting senior management on such matters as may be of concern to them.
A Model of How the Psychological Consultant Functions
Just as modern medicine has begun to focus on enhancing "wellness" our mission, as consultants to business, is to promote corporate well-being.
As professional psychologists, we view ourselves as "doctors" working on behalf of senior management. Like other doctors, we observe, draw conclusions, and make recommendations. And, like all good doctors, we do only what is necessary to achieve the goals of the client.
We advocate strict accountability. The value of what we do should be observable or we should not be doing it.
The Functional Roles of the Psychological Consultant
The functional role of the psychological consultant changes with circumstance. It is sometimes that of "confidant" and sometimes of "shuttle diplomat." Other times, it is that of envoy, coach, trainer, scout, or broker. Through professional conduct that inspires confidence and trust, the behavioral science consultant ideally earns acceptance into the company as one of its own.
On the other hand, as outside consultants, people often tell us what they do not readily say to those inside the company. Aided by this information, we are able to "get to the heart of things" rapidly. We work closely with the company's Human Resources department.
What Makes It Work
"Success" hinges on our ability to...
- quickly assess complex management situations;
- move promptly to intervene in constructive ways that are prescribed by senior management; and,
- maintain positive relationships with all persons involved.
We strive to maximize the internal robustness and the external viability of the client organization.
What We Can Do For Your Organization
Regularly Scheduled "Open" Consultation Time
Executives are helped by knowing that, with the support of senior management, they may confer, as needed, with the behavioral science consultant. The amount of such open consultation time may vary from a few hours a month to several days per week.
Advising on the Prudence of Actions
We are often asked about the prudence of a particular course of action. Using our internal knowledge of the company, as well as our familiarity with other corporations, we attempt to provide wise counsel.
Building Bridges
A large part of what we do involves building or strengthening relationships between individuals and between organizational units. Examples include fostering cooperation between staff and line' between different departments and, of course, between individual managers or executives. We also promote good relationships among culturally diverse segments of large organizations, e.g., leading up to and following mergers and acquisitions.
Building Teams
Closely related to bridge building is team building. The difference is that bridge building often follows the "informal" organizational chart, whereas planned team building typically involves a formal organizational unit.
Defusing Human Timebombs and Handling Problem People
Any large company has potential "risk exposure" from troublesome employees. There is always the possibility of litigation by persons who leave the company feeling disgruntled. We intervene quietly to defuse such tensions and to reduce the likelihood of confrontation. Relatedly, all organizations have "difficult people." We use our psychological expertise to coach executives and managers on how best to handle them. Finally, we conduct exit interviews for departing executives and managers on behalf of management as requested.
Private Executive-Manager Coaching
The behavioral science consultant provides personal counsel to executives and managers. We frequently become involved in direct attempts to enhance an executive's effectiveness through confidential coaching.
Personal Development Programs
Closely related to such coaching is the designing of individualized self-development programs. These can "target" such areas as interpersonal effectiveness, public presentation style, or managerial assertiveness.
Conflict Resolutions
Conflicts arise in all organizations and we attempt to channel them constructively. As a result of a conflict and its resolution, and assuming things are handled well, the principals often cooperate better than if the conflict had never developed.
Off-premises Conferences
We are frequently asked to lead out-of-house meetings. These typically include information sessions or team building, with or without senior management present. Our responsibilities may range from simply enhancing communication and "camaraderie" to planning and conducting part or all of the program.
Educational Programs, Workshops and Seminars
Relational Dynamics provides programs on such topics as goal setting, time regulation, stress control, crisis management, and interpersonal communication. We also offer motivational programs, and workshops on basic and advanced management techniques.
Assessing Personal Impact
Sometimes individuals wantor need!to know more about the effect they are having on others. Through sophisticated assessment methods, we can systematically determine and, then, highlight the characteristics (plus and minus) of a person's management style and interpersonal behavior.
Management Research
We serve as advisors to various research projects. One example is determining which attributes characterize the successful executive-manager in the specific client company.
Organizational Design and the Implications of Changing It
Behavioral science business consultants advise on the desirability of altering present organizational relationships, and on how different modifications of an organizational chart might influence morale and productivity.
Formal Psychological Evaluations
We also conduct assessments on candidates for executive positions. Areas evaluated include intelligence, emotional functioning, interpersonal relationships, insight, and administrative style.