21st Century Consulting
The events of 2020 have made many of us reflect on the increasing uncertainty of the modern world and how we need to adapt and develop strategies to survive, or better still thrive, in how we work and live. WorkLife integration is now a reality and with it comes many challenges that are well documented across the various medias we turn to for information.
In addition to the devastating cost of human lives, people have seen their freedoms constrained and seen the need to revisit the true meaning of their wants and needs and their purpose and value. Many face uncertainties in employment or worse still, redundancy or straight job loss and with it high levels of anxiety and distresses. Others are glad, grateful perhaps, to be in a job which is one less strain in the environment within which we find ourselves.
Organisations have had to adapt quickly and have realised traditional operating models are not necessarily what is needed in this age. Assumptions have been challenged and, in some cases ripped up, and many firms will not (or will not want to) go back to how it was before. Leaner, more efficient models are emerging, and this only adds to the uncertainty for individuals. People have also had to react and adapt and the blurring of lines between work and life has just got a lot blurrier. There has been a huge investment in support and wellbeing for people finding themselves in unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and sometimes impractical environments and, whilst this is hugely welcomed, mental health distress and illness is rising sharply.
For me, 2020 has been a catalyst to reflect on my life and my WorkLife and rethink what it means to feel fulfilled and purposeful in such an uncertain world. I realised, perhaps in the same way organisations have adapted, that I needed to make a change. That's does not in any way detract from the enjoyment I have felt during my past career. With over 30 years in financial and professional services, including operational management, management consulting, programme management and HR, these chapters have provided some truly fantastic experiences, encounters with some remarkable people, and brought me growth, understanding and hopefully, some wisdom too. But inside I knew there was a gap that wasn't going to be filled by continuing to do what I've always done and that, together with the uncertainty building around me, made me dig deep.
For some, 2020 may also have triggered thoughts of what it would be like to have a fresh start, a new beginning, a different or renewed purpose. For some, the traditional way of working has become burdensome, a necessary activity and perhaps stifling expression and creativity. Now more than ever some individuals feel in a kind of hostage situation unsure of how they will get out and what the risks may be to take a bold step to break free. If you think you may be one of the "some" and identify as a specialist consultant, then read on.
Whilst the traditional consulting industry provides a hugely valuable and rewarding environment in which to operate and grow, some highly skilled consultants are finding they are unable to truly express their own personal value as they become weighed down in spreadsheet administration, risk and resource management and fine profit margins. In addition, in such a competitive and often perceived 'high performing' environment, some feel they are not fairly recognised for their contribution when compared to others who do not necessarily do the same work or at times, they have had to compromise on their strengths and talents for the greater good or to meet the demands of others.
These constraints on being able to freely concentrate of what makes a specialist 'special' and so have the time to focus on real value and innovation, are leaving some frustrated and disillusioned, which in turn can lead to a deterioration in performance, energy levels and enthusiasm, as well and physical and mental wellbeing.
There are certainly opportunities to change this status quo with an employer. Revisiting development and career plans, lateral moves into new or different service lines, or learning, leadership and growth programmes are all viable ways to reinvigorate someone's pathway and these, for many, will be sufficient to stem immediate concerns. For some however, these mechanisms and reward structures are becoming elements of a conditioned state where the underlying sense of purpose and fulfilment are not being addressed.
For those in this state, it is important to remember it is not compulsory and there is always another way. It is in fact a good time to awaken those subdued senses and draw on the core strengths and courage that make you who and what you are and have served you well in being successful in the past. It may not be readily obvious what the next steps need to be but that is part of an exciting journey you can embark on to re-engineer your WorkLife on your own terms.
Of course, there are risks in taking this leap but if you feel this is starting to resonate with you, then those risks will more than likely have manifested themselves into real issues now in your life. Making a decision to stop, take time to invest in yourself, detach yourself from the conditioned environment you are in and create a calm environment in which you can see what is the art of the possible, is the first and most important step you can take. Seeing things clearly and allowing yourself to rediscover your true value and purpose will also help to de-risk the judgements you make and the decisions you take.
Fear is often the main barrier. Not just fear of the unknown but fear of the impact of taking control of your own destiny. Fear of not being good enough, financial commitments, failing to provide for loved ones and status anxiety, are just examples of the barriers that can exist, and these barriers are often put up by ourselves. When you look closely, these same fears are already likely to exist in your life now and today's uncertainty coupled with the increasing job losses and redundancy programmes leave some more vulnerable than ever to those fears becoming a reality.
Recognising we live in an uncertain world, choosing to run your WorkLife on your own terms can be truly liberating and transformational, especially if it is done on your terms. It can awaken your thinking, rekindle unused skills, stimulate creativity and put you in the driving seat. Furthermore, doing this on your own terms means you set the vision and direction, based on your principles, values and expertise and this in turn ensures you have a clear sense of purpose leading to greater satisfaction and contentment.
Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of creativity and innovation and there is an entrepreneur in all of us. Those who unlock this potential rarely say they regret it. For many it is never unleashed and for the majority this is ok because there are alternatives that satisfy their goals and ambitions. But for some it is an unfulfilled dream leaving an "if only" feeling and a gap that will never be filled.
In the UK, with the growth of the "professional gig economy", there are now over 2 million independents and most operate in professional services, consulting and project management. Independent consultants now enjoy around £2 billion of the UK's management consulting revenue, about one fifth of the market share - and this is growing. So, the potential for mitigating those financial fears is huge.
Independent research from Source Global Research shows clients are increasingly finding is easier to handpick the specialists they need and find doing business with them more flexible, quicker and easier and see them as more agile to their changing needs, without the ongoing pressure of complicated contracts and potential sell on services. Clients are seeing real quality in independents and demand is on the increase for consultants in data analytics, digital technologies, operational improvements and regulatory projects so the foreseeable landscape means this a fertile environment in which to grow a self-driven business. If you operate in these services, your market value is high, and this same research shows you can reap greater rewards by not having to be absorbed into a larger organisational cost model.
I have written this short article because I know I am not alone in finding a yearning to change how I live and work. I have experienced first-hand how finding the courage to take a leap into the unknown can lead to real transformation. I have repurposed my WorkLife to be on my terms with a purpose to guide others who want to "liberate themselves from the world of work".
I started with 2020 being a year to reflect on the uncertainty of the modern world and this is something we must face as a reality. The question I pose is "could it be better to be in the driving seat to navigate through the uncertainty or continue to try to influence the driver to take the course you know will take you in the right direction?"
If you believe it is the latter and some or all of this article resonates with you, I'd encourage you to contact us for a complimentary conversation to discover how you could redesign and transform your WorkLife.
