Russell Pearson is known as the “consultant to consultants” and a master of helping organizations rethink how they engage external experts. In this candid conversation, Russell reveals what great consultants really do, why most RFPs are flawed, and how to avoid hiring someone who sounds smart but doesn’t deliver. If you've ever wondered what consultants actually do, this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for. Practical, surprising, and full of stories that stick.
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Soundbites
[1:27] What kind of problems make an organization seek a consultant?
[3:40] The difference between hiring a specialist and a process-focused generalist.
[6:12] Why internal staff may struggle to see problems objectively.
[7:55] How a good consultant sees through multiple industry lenses.
[9:45] The danger of engaging consultants for too long - value drops off.
[11:02] What to look for in a consultant beyond credentials.
[12:30] The flaw in RFPs that ask for solutions before diagnosis.
[14:05] Why consultants must co-design with the people who implement.
[16:40] How collaboration, not hand-off, leads to long-term change.
[18:28] Consultants must be able to communicate the “why” behind change.
[20:05] The trap of the consultant becoming a cog instead of a catalyst.
[22:17] The future: mixed modality consultants who guide, mentor, and train.
[24:30] How to identify consultants using AI wisely vs. superficially.
[26:08] Do you feel understood? That’s how you’ll know it’s the right consultant.
[28:35] Nina’s personal story choosing the right consultant, and why rapport mattered.
[31:20] A consultant should facilitate dialogue across departments and silos.
[32:45] Don’t forget the human aspect of change and engage a change manager early.
[34:32] Why real-world experience often outweighs qualifications.
[35:55] What to ask when you're tasked with hiring a consultant for your team.
[37:15] The red flags of hiring by tender without conversation.
[38:45] Distinguishing between a consultant and a service provider.
[41:02] Don’t get quotes before checking internal permissions and strategy.
[42:28] Why breaking down an engagement into smaller parts helps.
[43:10] A dream scenario: saving millions by shrinking the approval timeline.
[45:05] Heartwarming small business story - one consultant, one brave step, big results.
[47:10] How to connect with Russell Pearson and his consulting network.
CONTACT RUSSELL PEARSON
https://russellpearson.com/
Connect with Russell Pearson on LinkedIn HERE:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-pearson/
ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY
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