Consultation in Professional Development. Enhancing Advisory Skills for Executives.
“I learned things that I wish I had known years ago.”
“What I did recently in a meeting, I would not have dared to do before.”
“This training saved my marriage.”
These are just three responses from participants in the Advisor Training provided by The Ascent for professionals in various sectors.
Objective: to enhance the effectiveness of employees in advisory positions.
What you will learn in this programme.
The programme's content focuses on interpersonal skills; a crucial aspect of the advisory profession. It is not about creating project plans or structuring texts — we assume you have that mastered. What is central is: how do you relate to your conversation partner? How do you give space, build trust and show vulnerability without losing your position?
We cover themes such as:
· Above and below-the-line communication
· Trust and influence without formal authority
· Letting go of your own ego or agenda.
· Connecting with others
· Trusted Advisorship
· Daring to expose yourself.
These 'soft' facets of the profession are often decisive in complex advisory processes. Without these skills, you could be strong in content — yet achieve little if you do not know how to reach or involve others.
Who is the Advisor Training meant for?
The training is specifically designed for professionals like you, who have been working in roles where advisory skills are essential for several years. Consider internal strategists, project leaders, policy advisers, communication professionals, and other experts who regularly advise within their organisation — formally or informally. Participants in this training usually already have experience writing reports, leading projects, and operating within complex organisations. They seek deeper understanding: how do I truly make a difference as an advisor?
Advisor Training: visible behavioural change
The aim of this training is clear: to make a substantial, positive impact on participants' behaviour in their professional context. But it extends further. The skills you develop — listening, connecting, giving space, showing vulnerability — are not only valuable in your work but also in your life. As the textbook The Trusted Advisor shows: the parallels with personal relationships are striking.
The Ascent aims for change that is perceptible to your surroundings. Not only internally, but visible in behaviour. Managers notice it. Colleagues respond differently. Participants take more initiative, ask better questions, and dare to assert their position. Like the participant who initially made himself small in group discussions. After the training, he dared to make his voice heard — and turned out to be surprisingly sharp and valuable.
Examples of success
Another example comes from a former participant who works as an internal strategist. During the training, she learned to connect, give space and listen. Recently, she shared how she applied this in a meeting with a colleague — a super expert who does everything himself and is hardly open to advice. Instead of convincing him with content, she chose recognition: “I see that you fully master this subject and handle everything yourself. That is impressive. I was thinking: perhaps I can contribute something to this specific part.” It led to a breakthrough: the colleague started to ask her for help. Trust was established. She became an advisor.
Final example: during a meeting, a participant sensed that something was not right in the team dynamics. In the past, he would have ignored it and retreated into the content. Now he dared to address it: “Do you all feel this too?” It led to an open discussion about collaboration, not content.
By addressing the underlying issues, the team also progressed content-wise. That is the essence of effective advising.
Daily practice
What makes this training unique is our method of teaching. We do not stand in front of the group to dictate how it should be done. Instead, we engage in dialogue with you. Participants bring in their own case studies, and we mirror these against our practice experience. This creates a dynamic learning process where theory and practice reinforce each other. Participants especially appreciate the tangible examples and the familiarity of situations. The fact that the training is delivered by individuals who practice the advisory profession daily makes the programme powerful and credible.
What does the Advisor Training deliver?
· Increased effectiveness in advisory conversations
· More influence without formal authority
· Stronger connection with colleagues and stakeholders
· Visible behavioural change in meetings and collaboration
· Personal growth and job satisfaction
Accountability and embedding behavioural change
An essential component of this training is the principle of accountability: practising, reflecting, trying again. Participants are encouraged to be open about their learning process — even when something does not work out. It requires vulnerability: daring to say “I find this difficult”, yet continuing to move forward. It is precisely this mindset that makes the training powerful.
What makes this training different?
We do not claim that other trainings do not aspire to this — some certainly succeed. But what distinguishes this training is the explicit focus on behavioural change in practice. Not only during the training days but also afterwards. We maintain the conversation, encourage reflection, and motivate participants to involve their environment.
Participants receive a certificate upon completion, and many share it proudly on LinkedIn. But the real proof is in how they behave differently in meetings, how they dare to take initiative, how they make connections.
Objective: visible, tangible impact
The goal of this training is clear: to have a significant, positive impact on the advisory skills of professionals. Not only internally, but also visibly and tangibly for their environment. We want colleagues to think, “What happened to you? You have suddenly become much more effective.” That is the signal that behaviour has truly changed.
Origins
The Advisor Training was born from a client request. A manager at a major bank noticed that many professionals in his team — ranging from communication advisers and policy officers to product owners and internal advisers — needed stronger advisory skills in their daily work. Although their positions do not formally carry the title 'advisor', they do indeed play an advisory role in practice. He approached us with the question: could you offer training to help these individuals strengthen their advisory skills?
He was not thinking of professional trainers, but of consultants who truly embody the profession. His experience was that trainers often draw from theoretical models or work they did years ago, whereas he needed a programme fed by current practical experience.
Based on our vast internal knowledge and experience in advising, we developed a programme that has now trained hundreds of participants — and remains ongoing.
A training that continues to evolve
Every time we deliver this training, we ask ourselves again: can it be improved? Can we add more value? Participants bring their own case studies, and we mirror these against our practice. Thus, the programme remains lively, relevant, and directly applicable.
This training is not a standard programme. It is a learning experience developed and delivered by consultants, intended for professionals like you who wish to learn and grow.
Trust, connection, and impact are what this training truly delivers to you
Impact that participants experience in both their work and life. A former participant summed it up aptly: “I have not only become more effective, I also enjoy my work more.” This is precisely what the programme aims for: sustainable behavioural change, fuelled by insight, practice, and reflection.
Sign up!
The Ascent is here for professionals who want to take the next step in their development. Do you realise that there is a significant difference between being right and being effective? Do you understand that more is needed than just content to be effective? Then The Ascent is your programme. Nowhere else but at The Ascent will you work so structurally on your advisory skills.
Here you can register for an exploratory conversation. See you soon!
