What Kind of Consultant Do You Want to Be?

Know your preferences, shape your path—includes a practical reflection exercise!

Aug 25, 2025

One of the best mentoring conversations I’ve had lately started with a deceptively simple question:

“So… what exactly is a consultant?”

It’s a fair question—especially if you’re new to the field or coming in from another industry. Because consulting isn’t a single role. It’s a combination of many different ones.

Sometimes you’re an analyst.
Sometimes a facilitator.
Sometimes a technical expert, a coach, a change agent—or even all of those at once.

Consultants shift between roles based on context, project needs, seniority, and personal preference. And the good news is: you don’t have to play every role. In fact, one of the best things you can do early in your career is to figure out which ones fit you best.

Common Roles Consultants Play

Consulting isn’t just one job—it’s a mix of many. Depending on your background, your strengths, and your assignment, you might find yourself doing anything from deep analysis to leading teams, writing documentation, or driving change. Below is a breakdown of common consultant roles across four broad categories.

🔍 Analysis, Design, and Development

Analyst – Gathers and interprets data to support decision-making.
Designer – Creates models, solutions, or frameworks (e.g., service blueprints, operating models).
Architect – Structures and maps complex entities, such as applications or organizations.
Process Developer – Analyzes and improves how work gets done.
Technical Contributor – Builds or configures applications (e.g., coding, installation and configuration, documentation).
Quality Reviewer – Evaluates plans or solutions, provides feedback, and ensures quality.

🧠 Learning and Co-Creation

Trainer – Shares structured knowledge or skills with others.
Facilitator – Guides workshops or group discussions to help others co-create solutions.
Advisor / Sparring Partner – Brings experience to the table and helps clarify choices.
Coach – Helps individuals or teams find their own answers through reflection.
Change Enabler – Supports individuals and teams in adopting new ways of working.
Change Leader – Coordinates and leads broader change initiatives.

🔊 Communication and Bridging

User / Business Advocate – Ensures technical work reflects user and business needs.
Communicator – Translates and communicates clearly across stakeholders.
Documenter – Creates clear, structured documentation (e.g., guides, definitions, notes).

💼 Business and Leadership

Sales Supporter – Identifies opportunities, shares client insight, and helps shape proposals. Often works alongside dedicated salespeople, but doesn’t carry the full sales responsibility.
Salesperson – Owns the commercial relationship. Leads client acquisition, negotiates contracts, and is responsible for hitting sales targets.
Marketer – Makes consulting work visible (e.g., via articles, talks, social media).
Business Developer – Develops the firm’s own offerings, services, or internal capabilities.
Project Lead – Manages delivery, timelines, and team coordination.
Staffer – Helps match people to the right roles and manages team capacity.
People Manager – Supports well-being and development of others.

You don’t need to play all of the roles. But getting familiar with the range can help you discover what fits you best—and what to aim (or steer) away from.

Example Role Combinations

In reality, no consultant fits neatly into a single box. Most roles are a blend.

You might facilitate a workshop in the morning, design a solution after lunch, and support a proposal before the day ends. Your official title might say one thing—but your actual impact often spans multiple areas.

That’s why reflecting on your role preferences matters: knowing what energizes you (and what drains you) helps you shape your consulting path—intentionally.

Here are a few real-world examples of role combinations:

Architecture Consultant: Architect + Designer + Process Developer + Documenter + Facilitator + Advisor + Coach + Sales Supporter (+ occasional Marketer and Trainer) → Designs and structures systems or architects’ ways of working, facilitates workshops, advises clients, and contributes to both internal and external business development.
Director, Consulting Services: Sales Supporter + People Manager + Staffer + Marketer + Business Developer → Leads people and capabilities, supports staffing and team development, helps shape proposals, and drives visibility and growth for the firm.
Software Developer: Technical Contributor + Designer + Documenter + Quality Reviewer + Coach → Works hands-on with applications, structures knowledge clearly, and helps teams grow (e.g., as a Scrum Master or mentor).

Optional Exercise: Design Your Consultant Profile

Now that you’ve seen the range of roles a consultant might play, let’s turn it into something personal.

Try mapping out your current role mix—and where you want to go next. The more clearly you see your strengths and interests, the easier it becomes to shape your work in that direction.

This exercise is useful whether you’re just starting out—or rethinking your path after a few years.

After you have your current role figured out, pick: