As a professional, you can't just apply your expertise. You need to present solutions in a way that best suits your clients. You have to work with a wide variety of people: team members, subject matter experts, top executives, and others. Working effectively with associates--while keeping an eye on budgets, schedules, and results--requires a collaborative outlook.

"Successful professionals today need more than technical skills--they need to know how to foster and nourish relationships with clients. Consultative skills are essential in this process. The tools outlined in The Consultative...