The quest for freedom, flexibility, and better balance: The realities of consulting across the social impact sector
Amongst the many workplace trends that have popped up the last few years, including quiet quitting, conscious quitting, and quiet hiring, the social impact sector has not been immune. A new trend recently unpacked by Jim Rendon and published in the Chronicle of Philanthropy this past week, discusses the exodus of non-profit senior executives to become consultants (The Empty C-Suite: Non Profit Executives are Leaving to Become Consultants).
The article sheds light on the profound staffing challenges confronting nonprofits, particularly in retaining top talent amidst the tumultuous aftermath of the pandemic. The experiences shared resonate deeply, illustrating the relentless pressures faced by organizations stretched thin by increased demand and limited resources. The struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels, exacerbated by fierce competition and soaring salary expectations to meet increased living costs, as well as to better align with competitive remuneration trends - all this underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to address this crisis.
The trend of nonprofit executives transitioning to consulting roles is both revealing and consequential. It speaks volumes about the toll of prolonged stress and overwork within the sector, prompting talented individuals to seek alternatives that offer greater autonomy and life balance. Furthermore, the flood of many non-profit executives to freelance consulting reflects a broader paradigm shift in how professionals perceive their careers and are prioritizing their well-being and fulfilment over traditional notions of success.
As someone who has been in the world of consulting on and off for years, the article left me wondering whether the exodus to consulting is truly the magic bullet that so many are searching for.
Is consulting the magic bullet to counteract exhaustion in the social impact sector?
My career has had many chapters including multiple stints as a consultant, both as a freelance consultant and also as an in-house strategy consultant for a social impact firm, as part of the executive team. It’s worth noting that the term consulting has different meanings depending on the context, but a common definition centres around the business of giving expert advice to people. The focus of this article is referring to consulting as an independent freelancer, rather than an in-house consultant tied to a consulting firm (which brings about its own unique set of challenges, for unpacking another day).
Now that we have cleared that up, let’s dive into things - is consulting all it’s cracked up to be? Having been on both sides of the consulting equation, consulting most definitely has its pros and cons.
The benefits of consulting
Freelance consulting in the social impact sector offers a myriad of benefits, including unparalleled flexibility that allows consultants to choose their projects, clients, and working hours, catering to those who prioritize life balance and seek alternative frameworks for their lives beyond the conventional 9-5 model. Diverse work opportunities abound, fostering professional growth through engagement with various projects and organizations, thereby preventing monotony and promoting continuous learning. Moreover, consultants enjoy reduced stress levels, clearer boundaries, and a balanced emotional investment, as they navigate a landscape insulated from internal organizational politics, bureaucratic hurdles, and hierarchical structures prevalent in traditional workplaces. This environment, coupled with a performance-based compensation model, incentivizes results-oriented focus and fosters a sense of detachment, contributing to effective stress management and perspective maintenance. Additionally, freelance consulting presents the potential for higher earning potential, reflecting the demand for specialized expertise and the opportunity to undertake multiple projects simultaneously.
The downsides of consulting
The drawbacks of consulting encompass various challenges, including income instability and lack of benefits, particularly during the initial stages of building a client base where sporadic projects may result in periods of financial uncertainty. Moreover, freelancers often face difficulties in business development, investing significant time and effort in marketing their services and securing clients, which may not align with the natural inclinations of those in social impact professions. Additionally, the isolation inherent in freelancing, especially when working remotely, can lead to a lack of social interaction and hinder professional development, necessitating conscious efforts to stay updated with industry trends and foster networks for continual learning and skill enhancement. Furthermore, measuring the impact of one's work as a consultant poses challenges, given the long-term or indirect outcomes and the inability to influence organizations directly, requiring innovative approaches to demonstrate effectiveness amid the burgeoning presence of consultants in the social impact sphere.
So where does this leave us with life balance?
The assumption that transitioning to consulting will automatically lead to better life balance is flawed. For many, including myself, letting go of ingrained work ethics cultivated over years or even decades is no small task. Carrying with us habits like poor boundary-setting, excessive identification with our careers, and a deeply personal commitment to a mission can contribute to feelings of exhaustion and burnout as consultants, echoing experiences from our time as full-time mid or senior-level executives. As a coach who guides clients through life and career transitions, many of whom contemplate a move to consulting, I often reflect on the nuances of this career trajectory. I firmly believe the solutions are grounded in self-awareness and having the courage to design the life we want to live, rather than simply living the one that found us. Beyond this introspection, it's essential to shed outdated working styles, patterns, and behaviors that no longer serve us. Amidst this prominent trend in the social impact sector, practical strategies are vital for navigating the transition to consulting.
Strategies to navigate the transition to consulting
Firstly, it's crucial to pause, reflect, and act with intentionality. While envisioning an ideal resignation scenario might provide temporary relief, embarking on a career transformation without adequate reflection can perpetuate existing issues. When things feel tense at work, many of us visualize how we would resign. We craft in our heads the perfect resignation letter or Slack message, the goodbye speech, the act of throwing over our desk and running out the door. This visualization sometimes makes us feel better. Alas, embarking on a career transformation without the proper time for reflection may result in a new environment, albeit with the same persistent challenges - lack of alignment with our purpose, blurred boundaries, and exhaustion, leading to dissatisfaction with our work.
Secondly, building resilience and learning to navigate complexity and uncertainty is paramount. Consulting can be demanding, but learning to manage stress effectively is key to achieving balance. The social impact space is characterized by shifting trends, ambiguity, and uncertainty, with many interconnected social, economic, and environmental factors at play. Consultants must be adept at navigating this complexity, adapting to changing circumstances, and finding innovative solutions to address emerging challenges.
Thirdly, clarity of purpose serves as a North Star in navigating the consulting journey, and our wider career journeys overall. Our "why" anchors us, providing direction and motivation to pursue our aspirations despite challenges. When our actions align with our values and beliefs, we experience a profound sense of authenticity and contentment, enhancing our satisfaction and fulfilment in our work. Finding organizations and teams that align with our core values and purpose, will lead to greater satisfaction.
Finally, embrace boundaries, practice mindfulness, and cultivate supportive networks: These three strategies are unpacked in a previous week’s blog post - Navigating burnout: Unpacking its origins and practical strategies for change across the social impact sector.
“You don’t want work-life balance. You want work-life freedom…the flexibility to spend your time where, when, and how you want.” ― Richie Norton, Author of Anti-Time Management and The Power of Starting Something Stupid: How to Crush Fear, Make Dreams Happen, and Live without Regret
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