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Consultative Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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consultative

[kənˈsʌltətɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

business

Relating to or involving consultation, especially in a business or professional context.

Synonyms

advisory, collaborative, cooperative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
consultative

Used in situations where an expert or specialist is offering advice, often in a formal or official capacity.

  • The company organized a consultative meeting to discuss the potential impacts of the new policy.
  • We're seeking a consultative role to guide our strategic planning.
advisory

Appropriate when providing advice or recommendations, often in an official or expert capacity. The advice may be offered without the direct involvement of the advisor in the implementation.

  • The advisory committee suggested several key areas for improvement.
  • He is serving in an advisory role to help the board make better decisions.
collaborative

Best used when describing efforts or activities that involve working together with one or more parties towards a common goal, focusing on the act of collaboration.

  • The project was a collaborative effort between multiple departments.
  • We adopted a collaborative approach to enhance teamwork and innovation.
cooperative

Used when emphasizing mutual assistance and working together, often implying a sense of equal partnership and shared responsibility.

  • The cooperative nature of the team ensured the project's success.
  • They reached a cooperative agreement to share resources and expertise.

Examples of usage

  • The company has adopted a more consultative approach to decision-making.
  • She plays a consultative role in the company, providing expert advice to the management team.
Context #2 | Adjective

government

Involving or relating to the process of consultation and collaboration in government decision-making.

Synonyms

deliberative, involving, participative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
consultative

Used in settings where advice or feedback is requested from others, typically experts or stakeholders, without necessarily involving them in decision-making.

  • They held a consultative meeting with the industry experts to gather their opinions.
  • The process was consultative, ensuring feedback was collected from all relevant parties.
deliberative

Appropriate in situations where thorough discussion and careful consideration are needed before making a decision, often found in formal settings like government or organizational decision-making bodies.

  • The board held a deliberative session to discuss the future direction of the company.
  • A deliberative approach was necessary to weigh the pros and cons of the proposal.
participative

Best suited for scenarios where active participation and collaboration from all members is encouraged or required, often in a democratic or inclusive setting.

  • The company promotes a participative management style where everyone's voice is heard.
  • A participative approach in the workshop ensured that all attendees could share their ideas.
involving

Used to describe situations where individuals or groups are actively engaged in activities or processes, typically indicating a hands-on approach.

  • The project was involving numerous stages and required detailed planning.
  • Involving the team early in the process helped to identify potential issues.

Examples of usage

  • The government has promised a more consultative approach to policy-making.
  • The consultative committee will review the proposed legislation before it is finalized.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Business

  • In management, consultative styles promote team input, enhancing collaboration and creativity.
  • Consultative selling focuses on understanding customer needs through dialogue rather than just pitching products.
  • Many organizations use a consultative approach to improve employee engagement, allowing staff to voice their opinions.

Education

  • In classrooms, a consultative approach can lead to better learning outcomes by fostering an inclusive environment.
  • Teachers often use consultative techniques in parent-teacher conferences to discuss a child's development effectively.
  • Peer review processes in education rely on consultative practices to help students improve their work through feedback.

Political Science

  • Consultative processes are crucial in democratic settings, enabling citizens to voice their opinions before decisions are made.
  • Many governmental agencies conduct consultative meetings to gather public input on policies and programs.
  • International bodies, like the UN, often use consultative methods to resolve conflicts and reach consensus among member states.

Psychology

  • A consultative approach in therapy encourages clients to take an active role in their treatment decisions.
  • Group therapy sessions often use consultative methods to foster open discussions and shared experiences among participants.
  • Consultative style can also reduce anxiety in clients, making them feel more involved in their own healing process.

Origin of 'consultative'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'consultare,' meaning 'to deliberate' or 'to plan.'
  • Its first recorded use in English dates back to the 15th century, showing how long the concept has been important.
  • The suffix ‘-ive’ indicates a characteristic or tendency, so 'consultative' describes a way of working that encourages discussion.

The word 'consultative' originates from the verb 'consult' which is derived from the Latin word 'consultare', meaning 'to deliberate' or 'to discuss'. The adjective form 'consultative' first appeared in the late 19th century, emphasizing the importance of consultation and collaboration in various fields.

See also: consult, consultant, consultants, consultation, consulting.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,349, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.