My life has been completely upended by a new puppy. 🐾
Gone are the days of predictability and routine. There’s an air of chaos in my home. He is adorable, yes, but also a complete menace.
Corralling him is a full-time job. But like most chaotic life experiences, it has me reflecting on the work I do.
Because working with this puppy is exactly like working with certain clients.
In Flawless Consulting, Peter Block warns about consulting with “The Stone.”
- Progress stalls.
- Commitment never arrives.
- Every next step feels like pushing a boulder uphill.
But what about consulting with “The Puppy”?
The Puppy client isn’t stuck. Quite the opposite.
They’re racing from idea to idea, checking out every possibility, chasing the newest shiny object, and occasionally running off with the project plan in their mouth. 🐶
The Stone needs momentum. The Puppy needs a leash.
The goal of the leash isn’t to limit their energy, but to give it direction.
With the Stone, a consultant must surface the resistance and force a real choice. With the Puppy, we channel the enthusiasm into three strict guardrails:
- One priority
- One owner
- One next step
(And perhaps a few less squirrels). 🐿️
Great consulting is knowing whether to bring a lever or a leash. It’s about helping the client move forward without losing the raw energy that makes them valuable in the first place.
Which client is tougher for you to guide? The Stone or the Puppy?