Consulting Insights
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Nov 25 • 3 min read
Thinking About Consulting? What to Consider Before You Decide
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Hi Reader, We all reach turning points in our careers when something feels out of alignment. Sometimes it’s an internal nudge telling us it’s time for a change. Other times a reorganization or even a severance package that forces the question: What’s next? For some, it’s realizing that stepping into consulting didn’t bring the fulfillment they expected. These are big decisions, and they deserve clarity not fear, pressure, or guesswork. The big decisions also need to come from a place of confidence. What I also know is that when someone reaches out and says, “I’ve been told I should become a consultant. What do you think?” the real question is deeper than whether consulting is possible. That’s why I sat down with executive and leadership coach Erin Owen, MBA, MCC for a conversation about how to evaluate consulting versus remaining in a corporate role. Erin has been a consultant but now works with rising and senior leaders who find themselves at a crossroads. Many come to her during moments of transition. We started our conversation by discussing the challenges around the terms consultant and coach where she provided a practical explanation. Consultants bring expertise, solve problems, and guide strategy.
Coaches create space for clients to uncover their own answers and move forward with clarity.
At the senior level, the consultant and coach roles often overlap, which is why self-awareness around what you want to be known for is essential.
A large part of Erin’s work comes through her Confident Executive Career Navigation System. It begins with foundation setting which includes helping clients understand their strengths, their burnout skills, the experiences that shaped them, and the impact they want to make next. Throughout the process, she guides clients toward alignment with their values, helping them make decisions from expansion, not fear. Her approach matters because some people move into consulting due to fear such as a layoff (or potential layoff) or sudden organizational change. Those fear-based decisions often lead to struggle. Erin and I take different approaches in our work, but we share the belief that clarity, alignment, and a grounded understanding of what you want to be known as the expert in is required for success. When I asked Erin my final interview question, which is what she wants people to know before deciding on a consulting career, her answer aligned with what I see every day. The first 6–12 months expose everything: your strengths, your stress points, and how you handle uncertainty. Some people quickly realize consulting fits them perfectly. Others discover they need more structure. And here is what I’ve also seen—those who obtain guidance during the first few months and years not only reduce stress, they build a solid foundation, move forward with confidence, and set themselves up for success. If you would like to connect with Erin, here is her contact information:
But better yet, take the time to watch the full interview here:
The video is time stamped making it easy to navigate to a particular topic.
After you listen to the video, let me know what stands out for you after you listen. Until the Next Consulting Insight, Laura Burford PS: December Roundtable Discussion: AI and Consulting - Thursday, December 4th | 1:30–2:30 PM Eastern - Registration required Whenever You’re Ready, Here’s How I Can Help Consulting Mastery: Build a Consulting Business That Works for You Resources to Support You
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Are you a Consultant looking to establish and grow your consulting business? If so, subscribe to get the latest insights to help you SOAR and build a profitable, sustainable business.