Kevin Meyer

Life and leadership at the nexus of lean and zen.

Heavy Heads of Consultants

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4I3 read a lot of blogs each day, probably well over 100.  Using an aggregator like Bloglines or even the new Google feed reader makes it actually fairly easy.  Favorite topics obviously include manufacturing and especially lean manufacturing, but I also peruse technology, local news, general business, libertarian politics, global issues, and even some 1humor.  The differing perspectives and unlikely similarities are sometimes astounding.

21Although I occasionally consult, I do not consider myself a consultant.  I enjoy playing on the factory floor and helping companies improve, and deep down I will always remain a shop floor grunt.  My favorite days are when I see the lightbu2lb pop on in the head of factory worker when I effectively convey the power and magic  of lean.  Lean is abou5t people, and I am lucky enough to sometimes be able to purvey knowledge to give people the tools to create excellence.  It has literally been years since I wore a tie, and I hope to keep it that way.  I try to keep some grime under 6the fingernails.

But a lot of bloggers are consultants, and lately I have found that there’s one characteristic that is very common among consultants: they feel the need to support their heads with their hands.  I’m not quite sure why this is.  Do they have we8ak neck muscles? 7  Are their brains heavier than normal?  Is the thinking of great and wondrous thoughts causing a severe migraine? 

Perhaps they are simply trying to plug the hole in their heads that has allowed reality to escape.  Some have been forced into an existence where they cr10eate and sell great concepts, perhaps even trademark various combinations of all-too-common buzz words, 9but then have to run away in fear when a client asks them to actually implement the wondrous program they just concocted.  Anything for a buck, right?  After all, consultants have to support their families too.18

This admittedly occasional commonality was so intriguing that I began to collect photos of t15hese heavy-headed consultants.  A few are posted here, and I apologize to anyone who recognizes themselves.

Of course not all consultants have a problem with heavy heads, a slow leak of rea19lity, or even weak neck muscles.  Some do create tremendous value for the organizations they work with.  Many organizations simply don’t have the depth or breadth to tackle very serious, complex, or unique business situations without outside help.

16But always look for a photo of the consultant.  If they feel 22the need to support their head with their hands, it might behoove you to ask why.      

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Comments

  1. Kevin, Thank you so much for giving me a way to distinguish myself as a value-adding consultant. After a lifetime in industry, I took the bold step of setting up a consulting business towards the end of last year. My general focus is on improving competitiveness through developing clear business strategies and ensuring that organisations, processes and people are aligned to deliver those startegies. When I got started, I developed a website. And yes, the website has a picture of me. I now realise that I must be very special because my head stands up all by itself without me having to hold it up. As I cope with all the challenges of getting a new business off the ground, it’s encouraging to know I have one other thing going for me. Keep up the good work – I enjoy your blog very much.

  2. Kevin, I am so busted! I thought this post was pretty funny until I checked back to the end of last year and looked again at the photo of myself I posted on the TPM Log. I have my head supported by BOTH hands. What a burn! And I’m only an internal consultant, not even a hired gun type. Thanks, I guess, for increasing my self-awareness. ;-)

  3. I love your blog. This made me laugh so hard and I found myself wondering how in the world you found all these pictures!

    Funny thing about the picture on my blog. I was in Germany when I took it and I had my colleague retake it like 3 times since my fat chin kept showing.

    Hey, at least I didn’t prop my head up with my hand like all these other knuckleheads!

    Oh, I am not a consultant either. I like my regular paycheck to come every two weeks thank you very much!

    Rock on guys.

  5. Seeing all the proped up heads made me think of the great French sculptor, Rodin. Auguste Rodin made the well know statue of, “The Thinker” who has his chin resting in the right palm of his proped up elbow on his knee.

    I wonder what a body language expert would derive from the photos posted. I think the poses are supposed to convey intelligence, but then again…………..

    Thanks Kevin, I sure got a good chuckle out of seeing the photos.

  6. Oh, you made me laugh so much!! I always have wondered why people have pictures like that, too. Although I did have one done that way years ago for my hubby after he’d given me a very cool ring. But for business? This summer I had my press photo retaken and had two requests
    1. Make me look less fat and
    2. No hands near face.

    I’m still laughing about your post

  7. You have probably single-handedly added to the incomes of many photographers as consultants rush out to have their photos revised!

    This is why I love your blog!

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