aCue to connect you! Your source for Arts and Small Business: Planning, Management, Strategy, Special Events, Funding and Production in British Columbia!

You have taken that big step. You have hired a consultant to come into your office and start 'consulting' you in their specific area of expertise. This has not been an easy thing for you to do. You have created your Arts organization from the ground up, and you feel you pretty much know the in's and out's of your business.

Except - you want more. You want to grow, flourish, and most importantly - stop doing the business so you can do the Art.

In comes the Consultant, and they can be for many things:

• Admin Management
• Financial Management
• Financial Development - fundraising
• Marketing
• Grant funding and proposal writing

It is exciting to bring them on board and you look forward to the process. Except - what you start to find is you begin to resist every single change that this consultant starts suggesting, and you find yourself essentially 'blocking' every move this consultant makes. They start to frustrate you, none of what they want to do makes sense and you just want them to listen to what you want and do what you are comfortable with.

Hey - its ok. This is actually quite normal, natural and part of the sometimes painful process of 'growing up' as an organization.  Especially Arts organizations. Most of you have had to do all of the work from day one, and taking the steps of bringing other team members into your world can be very daunting and very frustrating at times.

So how do you stay sane? And remember that this is a good thing?  LISTEN - actively listen to what your consultant is saying without judgement, fear, resistance or in some cases flat out animosity. As easy as listening is to say, it is not easy to do.

Listening involves an actual physiological process with your ears, and your eyes as you watch the person speaking carefully and your body language as you relate to that person. And listening involves a whole bunch of inner emotional steps that most people aren't even concious,  or aware of. Are you truly listening? Or are you watching a person speak while thinking of what you are going to say to them next? Are you confident enough with yourself to listen fully? Are you present? In the moment and free of distractions?

'Good communication skills require a high level of self-awareness. By understanding your personal style of communicating, you will go a long way towards creating good and lasting impressions with others.' Mind Tools - essential skills for an excellent career.

These consultants are here to help you grow, they have skills that far surpass your own, and you are working with them to:

If you find you have trouble working with the people you have hired, check into your listening skills - are they active? Are you being a team player and holding your piece of the overall composition?

Just say focused, be responsible for your part, and really, really listen. It is amazing what you can learn when you are open to it.