The true role of a consultant is to deliver massive value in a short period of time. That means solving complex problems with smart, effective solutions, building the client’s internal capability and maturity, and ultimately making their own role redundant—so the client can confidently run their day-to-day operations (BAU) without ongoing external support.
This is only possible when the consultant has successfully done it before, comes in with the right intent—to genuinely fix the problem—and is ready to move on once the job is done.
The problem arises when consultants carry the title but bring an employee mindset. They get comfortable, embed themselves in the client’s team indefinitely, and forget the purpose of their role. That’s when consulting loses its integrity—and it’s a disservice to our profession.
