Chapter 10 looks at the ways consultants work with the client during the diagnosis phase. Process consultation is about providing a helping relationship, but there may be difference between what the client wants and what is most helpful. Long term solutions require rethinking, rearranging, and relearning how things are currently done. This takes time and energy, and often involves delving deeper into interpersonal processes than we want to go. Resolution of the problem also requires action from the client Why does Block prefer Discovery to Diagnosis? Diagnosis is a rational term that undervalues the amount of emotional effort necessary to make improvements.
Discovery, engagement, and dialogue better describe the process involved in helping the client find a longer lasting answer to their problem. How do we help the client be open to the discovery process? Recognize resistance and how to deal with it Work on building client commitment Understand the politics and personalities surrounding the data collection Address the organizational element of each problem rationally Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how the problem is being managed This is a scary thought because it means gathering data from your client about your client! Engagement Dialogue sustained collective inquiry into processes, assumptions and certainties that compose everyday experiences (Isaacs, 1993)