People ask me a lot what I think it takes to be a consultant.  I love the list of 10 traits that Alan Weiss, in his book, "Getting Started in Consulting", says a consultant must have:

He also says here, "Be advised that the greatest danger to the start-up venture in this profession is a lack of self-esteem of the principal. If you don't believe you can help others, no one else will believe it.  And if you don't manifest it, no on else will see it."  It think he's pretty right on.  What else have you found rings true in the traits of a kick-butt consultant?