Let me tell you, jumping from a long-term senior role to running your own consultancy is like trading a well-mapped highway for an exhilarating off-road adventure. If you’ve met me before you’d probably suspect I wouldn’t have it any other way.
After years of thriving in the remarkable organisation that is Paye Stonework & Restoration, I realised I was ready for a new challenge. My extremely varied corporate journey had been incredibly rewarding, but I felt a growing desire to create space for my own professional evolution and, more importantly, to enable the progression of others. That’s exactly why I founded Hartfield Consultants.
Challenges? More Like Opportunities
Starting your own consultancy isn’t for the faint-hearted. The security blanket of a monthly paycheck? Gone. The comfort of established teams and processes? You’re now building those from scratch. But here’s the thing: every challenge is just an opportunity wearing a different costume.
For me, the biggest shift has been moving from executing strategies to helping organisations reimagine their entire approach. Whether it’s internal communications, talent development, or creating genuine business value through CSR and ESG strategies, I’m now in a position to catalyse real, meaningful change.
The Freedom to Think Differently
One of the most liberating aspects of consultancy is the ability to truly “think differently” – which, not coincidentally, is a core principle of Hartfield Consultants. Previously, innovation often felt constrained by the growing pains and the focus on immediate delivery that tends to accompany it. Now? I can help businesses break through those barriers.
Take our approach to people development, for instance. It’s not just about training programs; it’s about nurturing talent, understanding individual potential, and most importantly creating environments where people can truly excel that align with strategy, values and even purpose. Having led teams and managed complex projects across various industries, I bring a holistic perspective that goes beyond textbook solutions.
Redefining Problem Solving
The heart of exceptional consulting lies in problem-solving that goes beyond surface-level fixes. My approach is ruthlessly methodical: first, fully understand the issue by stripping away preconceived notions and personal biases. This means creating a space where existing beliefs are challenged, and the root cause is meticulously examined. It’s about gathering the right people – those with diverse perspectives, deep expertise, and a genuine commitment to positive change – and facilitating a collaborative approach to solution design.
True problem-solving isn’t about having all the answers, but about creating the conditions where innovative solutions can emerge. It’s a process of deep listening, critical analysis, and collective intelligence. Whether we’re auditing processes, realigning strategies, or developing talent, the goal is always the same: to deliver meaningful, sustainable solutions that create genuine value for the organisation.
Unexpected Lessons from Unexpected Places
Interestingly, some of my most valuable consulting insights come from experiences outside the traditional business world. My adventures – like being a team manager for the Nigerian national rugby team, running the hugely successful invitational rugby club Shogun RFC at tournaments all over the World, working as part of a de-mining project in western Denmark, travelling to over fifty countries from Australia to Zimbabwe and participating in world-record charity rugby matches 6331 metres up Mount Everest – have taught me more about leadership, adaptability, and high-pressure problem-solving than any MBA ever could.
These experiences reinforced a crucial truth: success is about agility, continuous learning, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone.
The Reward? Impact and Autonomy
Running Hartfield Consultants isn’t just a career move; it’s a mission. We’re not just another consultancy. We’re partners in helping organisations reimagine their potential across strategic alignment, communications, talent development, value creation, and process optimisation.
The reward isn’t just financial independence. It’s the privilege of walking alongside businesses during their transformation, seeing leaders and teams discover capabilities they didn’t know they possessed.
A Note to Fellow Corporate Adventurers
If you’re contemplating a similar leap, here’s my advice: Trust your skills. Embrace the uncertainty. And remember, your most significant asset isn’t your past experience—it’s your willingness to continuously learn and adapt.
To new beginnings, bold strategies, and the courage to think differently!
Interested in exploring how we can unlock your organisation’s potential? Let’s chat.
Mark Dean
Founder, Hartfield Consultants
http://www.hartfieldconsultants.com
Deano's World 