The Auditor of the Future Will Surprise You!
It’s Not the Technical Skills, It’s the Soft Skills
You’ve all heard the stereotype about IT professionals, I’m sure. Masters of hardware, software, and all things tech, yet when it comes to chitchat and stakeholder schmoozing, they're rumored to be a bit more... binary.
And you can often say the same thing about auditors, I’m afraid! Renowned for their brown cardigans and leather elbow patches, their ability to recite clause numbers and ISO requirements, they are sometimes playfully accused of being more at home with Standards, systems and procedures than with fun banter and building rapport.
Many years ago, at the beginning of my consulting career, I met another couple of new consultants embarking on their ISO journey. Michael loved his ISO Standards and in a conversation with him, he would sprout off and quote clauses word for word – quite entertaining really! Then there was Mick, he also loved his ISO Standards but liked carrying them around with him and studying them when he needed to. I enjoyed many a chat with Mick, not only about ISO but life in general. He was really comfortable to talk to and the clients I met that he worked with enjoyed working with him. This made the process so much easier and comfortable for all concerned, most importantly the client.
Several years later I bumped into Michael, and he told me that he had trouble getting and keeping clients, so he decided to work for a company on salary instead. Meanwhile, Mick was booked out for months ahead, as people were clambering to work with him.
This shows that while expertise and knowledge are invaluable, it's often the human touch, the ability to engage and connect on a personal level, that truly sets professionals apart and defines their success.