It’s quite commonplace for me to walk into a consulting opportunity to be greeted by a small contingency of skeptical faces. Honestly, I don’t blame them. Many organizations and companies have experienced the theory-laced world of consulting that yields unrealistic or over-simplified recommendations for complex issues without addressing real needs or tangible next steps.

I have no desire to leave a client with just good ideas. The reality is that ideas alone can’t change things. Ideas need robust infrastructure, processes for implementation, and a team committed to creating a viable network for launch. This is why I spend time with clients in exploring the environment in which their ideas incubate and flourish. A holistic understanding of the overall process of idea-making and actionable steps are the goals of any consultation or coaching.