Assorted thoughts of an internal consultant

As the title indicates, what follows is a random collection of thoughts about internal consulting. Don't look for a logical ordering of ideas because there is none. For the sake of some structure, you will find comments on six general areas: • Authority comes from competence, not position • Management wants you to decide what you should do • Management confidence in you starts with small successes • Management must demonstrate change • Management deserves an out • What management does is more important than what they say. The emphasis is on practical ideas—ideas that have worked for me. I've tried to give the thoughts a broad internal consultant orientation, but you will probably be able to detect that my consulting has been in employee relations.