226 | Combat Medic to Corporate Consulting - Preparing for Challenges with Gopal Singh

Welcome back to the Art of Consulting Podcast, where we explore and having to share an opinion without being argumentative. Inspiring messages to help professionals discover their X Factor and achieve success in their careers. Our guest for this episode is Gopal Singh, an ex-military who jump started his career journey to consulting.Conversation Highlights:   Military Transition Challenges:   Joined at 26 during wartime, Gopal was mentally prepared for uncertainties. Leaving family behind during deployments, a significant challenge. In this episode, he reflects on personal growth, learning, and challenges faced in the military. Learning the Question "Why": For Gopal, Military experience emphasized the importance of asking why. Just like in consulting, asking why is crucial for understanding, problem-solving, and creating buy-in. Recognizing the right time and place for asking why, avoiding negative connotations.   Skills Transition from Military to Consulting: Joined a large company in a consulting role. Gopal emphasizes the need for flexibility, juggling multiple roles. They also brought in the idea of acknowledging the challenge of working with process-driven individuals. Consulting is linked to all aspects of the role, from meeting clients to problem-solving.   Navigating Corporate Environment: Corporate world involves constant reorganization and change. Gopal highlights the keys to being flexible and adaptable and what is the importance of asking clients/executives if they already have a solution in mind.   Being a Trusted Advisor: Establishing trust by understanding the client's goals and challenges. Andy and Gopal start differentiating between supporting an existing plan and trying to propose an alternative. They also discussed the positioning as a valuable, trusted advisor and expert in problem-solving. Discussion on Asking Upfront:  Drawing parallels to a project management class where the speaker missed out on asking crucial questions. Straightforward questioning in avoiding unnecessary efforts and uncovering existing solutions. Developing the courage to ask questions in various aspects of life is an essential in the Consulting world.   Transition to Consulting and Preparation: Gopal shared a personal story to Andy, the host, of him transitioning to consulting and a project involving building a vehicle. Emphasizing the lesson learned about the importance of asking questions and avoiding assumptions. They discussed the shift from traditional career thinking to viewing careers as projects and always looking for the next step.   Starting a Consulting Firm: Discussing the process of preparation, including website development, business documentation, and product testing.   The Philosophy of Curiosity: The duo is encouraging a mindset of constant movement, exploration, and looking for new opportunities.   Team Dynamics and Self-Promotion: Discussing the importance of being a good team player and sharing success within a team. Acknowledging the emotional drain of projects and the role of teammate encouragement in maintaining motivation. Reflecting on the challenge of self-promotion and the necessity of communicating individual contributions to project success. Advice for Aspiring Consultants: Gopal highlighted the significance of being oneself, asking questions tactfully, and being open to learning from others. He encouraged individuals to take time to listen and absorb information, avoiding the urge to rush into showcasing one's own knowledge.   Clifton Strengths and Team Dynamics: Gopal shared information about his services at careerjourneyco.com, specifically around Clifton strengths. He discussed how understanding individual and team strengths can lead to more efficient and effective collaboration, emphasizing the impact of communication based on individuals' top five strengths.   Conclusion: The conversation highlights the importance of understanding challenges, avoiding getting caught up in industry jargon, and maintaining authenticity. Both Gopal and Andy emphasized the value of having a clear mission, drawing parallels with military mission focus. To be yourself and ask questions when needed, to be tactful and open to learning from others, and to actively listen and absorb information rather than rushing to showcase your own knowledge.Taking time to understand the language and culture of the new environment while staying true to your authentic self. These are valuable insights for anyone considering or currently navigating a transition into consulting or a new industry. The episode concluded with gratitude for Gopal sharing his insights, and listeners were encouraged to connect with him for further information on his services.