Consultants and their clients view their relationship differently. Whereas consultants may view "relationship building" and achieving "trusting, warm, equal, experimental and open relationships" as the most important part of client-consultant relationships, clients' overriding concerns were that consultants should be aware of practicalities, use time effectively, remain objective and give value for money.
In a UK study of management consulting, clients reported that in less than one in three cases did they feel confidence in the consultant's expertise to manage change.