1. Listen to everything.

2. Empathize (for real).

3. Note what they are feeling.

4. Build that Shared Agenda.

5. Take a point of view, for goodness’ sake!

6. Take a personal risk.

7. Ask about a related area.

8. Ask great questions.

9. Give away ideas.

10. Return calls unbelievably fast.

11. Relax your mind!

David Maister, Charles Green, and Robert Galford, The Trusted Advisor

The above recommended behaviors for consultants and interventionists also make for a good list for pastors and other church leaders who are new to a situation and seek to build fast credibility for leadership.

–Paul Nixon