Kick instantly became my mentor: he dares, he takes it to the next level, he seeks for solution, he is forward looking, he never settles for other than success. He rocks!

In one episode Kick teaches his friend, Gunther, how to become a daredevil so he could win Wacky Jackie’s heart. It’s about the daredevil attitude.

Here are Kick’s three rules of keeping daredevil attitude: speech – simplify, focus, and never listen to reason.

Dare to see how it would work in consulting?

Rule #1: Speech

In Kick’s words:

Speech: If you need to use five words to convey something, use two instead. Simplify.

This is pure gold. How many times you heard lengthy speeches only to realize at the end you have taken nothing out of it? Consultancy has much to deal with conveying so many messages to so many people. It’s a skill to quickly learn the other party and briefly deliver key message that sinks well. Consider these  situations:

• Consultant is given 10 minutes to convey key message to business stakeholders.
• Consultant is given 15 minutes to convey key message to technical decision makers.
• Consultant is given 30 minutes to convey key technical messages to 30 developers.
• Consultant is given 15 minutes to convey key messages to his manager.

These is broad spectrum of audience consultant works with and needs to deliver very crisp and clear messages to be successful while keep charging premium. This is when “less is more” hits the road, simplify words and pick only those that stick and count with the audience.

Rule #2: Focus

In Kick’s words:

Focus. Follow the stick.

It’s about prioritization and keeping less important things off the hot plate. The other way to think of it is “follow the prize”. Consider these questions:

• Do you follow the prize/stick when getting assigned to a new gig?
• Do you follow the prize/stick when scoping the gig?
• Do you follow the prize/stick when planning the gig?
• Do you follow the prize/stick when delivering the gig?
• Do you follow the prize/stick when marketing your services?

Rule # 3: Reason

In Kick’s words:

Reason. Never, ever, ever listen to reason.

One could interpret it as being mindless or reckless. It’s far from that. Here is a better way to think about it:

• Challenge the status quo.
• Poke experts in their backyard.
• Challenge common sense.
• Would they call a consultant for reasonable things, something they could do on their own?

I love this Kick guy so much I collected all his videos on YouTube here. Have fun and keep up with your daredevil attitude. Let’s Rock!

image by mcmortygreen