How often do we scrutinise success?

Last night at the 28^th annual Management Consultancies Association (MCA) Awards, I joined colleagues and friends to celebrate a breadth of talent, team and individual achievements. Tamzen Isacsson, the CEO of the MCA, challenged a room full of the consulting industry’s finest to examine how we scrutinise success rather than scrutinise failure. Something we don’t do often enough.

The evening was superbly hosted by Clare Balding who, fresh from her stay in Scotland, described herself forevermore as “the idiot who pulled the lever without reading the instructions”.  But how did Clare relate consulting to the Traitors?

The message I took away is that trust is a really valuable thing and the bond we create can be a force for good. Clients put their trust in us on a daily basis, and within teams we know that trust and psychological safety are key ingredients in high performance. It’s that foundation of trust and teamwork that enables us to successfully deliver our clients’ ambitions.

We were all thrilled and proud to support IMPOWER’s four finalists shortlisted for prestigious individual MCA award categories:

• Jess Holmes – Rising Star
• Dominic Luscombe – Thought Leader Consultant of the Year
• Fran Tinsley – Technology Consultant of the Year
• James Swaffield – Chartered Management Consultant of the Year

So, what did I take away from the successes and the reflections in the room last night?

• Focusing on our client’s ambition and outcomes that go beyond the organisation and into the communities they serve matters most.
• Enabling individuals to follow their interests, develop their passions, and have time and space supports creativity and sparks innovation.
• Our people are great role models and are inspiring others to follow their lead. I am very proud to work alongside them.
• The Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) accreditation is an important way to acknowledge achievements, quality, and high ethical standards of our people.

For me, last night served as a reminder that reflecting on how we succeed and build the structures and support to enable our people to thrive is vital for the health of both IMPOWER and the wider consulting community. Oh, and we must remember to read the instructions before pulling any levers…