# Internal Consulting Skills for Federal HR Professionals Course

Canonical URL: <https://training.sdfm.org/courses/internal-consulting-skills-for-federal-hr-professionals>

## Overview

Acquire the skills you need to build partnerships with management and operate as an HR consultant within your organization. Identify various HR options available within the federal context by participating in exercises, workshops, and case studies that have direct application to Federal HR situations and issues.

## What you'll learn

- Expand your role from a federal HR professional to an internal consultant.
- Plan and prepare for the consultative relationship.
- Know what causes client resistance and how to deal effectively with it.
- Build partnerships with management.
- Offer alternative solutions to contemporary HR problems.
- Integrate your technical HR knowledge into the consultative process.
- Practice consulting skills using federal HR case studies, exercises, and examples.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Consulting Skills Overview

- Define basic consulting terms and roles.
- Differentiate internal vs. external consulting.
- Explore three key consultant roles: expert, pair of hands, collaborator.
- Assess consulting competencies using self-evaluation tools.

#### Module 2: Entry, Engagement, and Clarifying

- Plan and conduct an exploratory entry meeting with clients.
- Clarify project goals, roles, and scope of work.
- Apply listening and framing techniques to understand client needs.
- Prevent common challenges like scope creep and unclear expectations.

#### Module 3: Finding Data, People, and Information

- Use interviews, focus groups, and surveys to collect diagnostic data.
- Evaluate data collection methods and match them to client needs.
- Develop skills in questionnaire design, data analysis, and benchmarking.
- Practice using structured templates for note-taking and documentation.

#### Module 4: Recommending Options and Strategies

- Design and deliver effective feedback meetings.
- Develop solution options and analyze potential implementation strategies.
- Use decision-making tools collaboratively with clients.
- Address client concerns with assertive, actionable recommendations.

#### Module 5: Dealing with Client Resistance

- Understand why resistance occurs and recognize its forms.
- Apply power and influence strategies without formal authority.
- Practice techniques to manage and overcome client pushback.
- Use empathetic and non-defensive communication techniques.

#### Module 6: Implementation

- Select appropriate intervention strategies for various change initiatives.
- Implement pilot programs to reduce risk and gain stakeholder support.
- Develop practical action plans with milestones and checkpoints.
- Support people through change and promote buy-in across the organization.

#### Module 7: Evaluating the Project

- Differentiate process vs. results evaluations.
- Develop an evaluation plan including baseline measures and data sources.
- Use Kirkpatrick’s model to assess outcomes, reactions, learning, and behavior change.
- Present evaluation results and recommendations for future consulting cycles.

#### Module 8: Federal HR Consulting Skills: Summary and Close

- Review and integrate the five-phase consulting model.
- Reflect on personal growth and learning throughout the course.
- Develop an action plan for applying new consulting skills in real-world settings.

## Schedule
- Jul 28, 2026 – Jul 30, 2026 — Live Online
- Aug 17, 2026 – Aug 19, 2026 — Live Online
- Oct 7, 2026 – Oct 9, 2026 — Live Online
- Nov 18, 2026 – Nov 20, 2026 — Live Online

## Instructors

### Adrianna Harden — Instructor

Adrianna is a retired federal Human Resources (HR) Senior Leader who dedicated her civil service career serving America’s veterans. She retired after spending over 32 years in HR, working at Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Regional Office, and Field facilities. She passionately shares her wealth of HR knowledge to all who are interested. She loves learning and intentionally commits to learning “something new” every day. In addition to her extensive HR experience, she has a Master’s degree in Management Technology and HRM. She is certified as a Senior HR Professional with the Society of Human Resources Management organization.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1299