–Below is a leadership bullet from Tom’s rifle named Shot–
HERE TODAY; GONE TOMORROW. That’s gunslingers for you. I don’t like them. But, they may have a role to play that you can’t do or for some reason, don’t want. I say, hire them judiciously, and use us regular rifles for most things that need doing.
Consultants are like gunslingers. As a leader you may need to decide when to use them. Here are some tips: Use them if they have expertise or skills that you can’t develop in a timely manner or will not use regularly. Use them when you likely will face exorbitant costs in doing a project with your people. Use them when objectivity is needed. Use them to accomplish short-term goals. Use them when the investment will generate additional capability, such as with process improvements. Notice “use them.” Identify specific tasks and don’t depend on consultants long-term.