ABSTRACT
The internal consultant is involved in the organizational hierarchy and policies. The internal consultant has to adhere to and support the corporate goals, and there are certain tasks that he must take on. Compared with the partnership with another external consultant, cooperating with an internal consultant creates a completely different situation. The external consultant and the internal consultant have different backgrounds for their work. Working with a colleague can improve the consultant's self-understanding and, in the long term, can help the consultant to develop an empathy with the client's reactions, feelings, and attitudes. Consultation can be a lonely occupation, unless one finds other consultants with whom to cooperate. There is a danger of seizing up, professionally, and of using up one's own internal resources—burning out. One has to be able to exchange ideas with others. It is through feedback and dialogue with professional partners that one has a chance to internalize new learning.
