Regardless whether you are bridging organizational or global cultures, new skills and new ways of interacting are necessary. Research is participative. The purpose of research is not to document what was or what is, but what will be. Thus, it must have participant involvement and must immediately utilize new learnings to inform the practices of those participants. Active experimentation leverages learning.
Collaboration is a requirement.
As consultants, we become part of the system, bringing our own professional expertise to the milieu. What we can contribute is industry expertise and shared learnings from other clients, other scenarios. We become partners and facilitators in our clients' learning. Above all, the fate of every organization rests on the knowledge, skills and expertise of its people. The most successful organizations will understand how to enhance this valuable asset.