David A. Fields Consulting Group A lot of folks give and receive presents this time of year. Games, chocolates, electronics, more chocolates, cars (so the car advertisers would have you believe) with trunks full of chocolates.
As a consulting firm leader, you’re standing at a gift-giving nexus. Your consulting practice is a veritable cornucopia of gifts.
Below are a dozen examples to scatter beneath your Christmas tree, Hanukah menorah, Kwanzaa kinara, New Year’s bush or other holiday symbol of your choice.
They’re categorized because, after all, we’re consultants.
The Many Gifts of a Small Consulting Practice
4 Gifts for Your Clients
- Your outside, independent perspective
- Your experience and pattern recognition
- Better, faster results than they’d achieve on their own
- A safe place to vent their frustrations and reveal their fears
4 Gifts for Your Staff
- A great place to work
- An opportunity to make a meaningful difference at a small company
- More and broader responsibility than they’d receive at a big company
- An chance to share in the rewards of a successful practice
4 Gift for You
- Ultimate control over your work, work time and work mates
- (Potentially) great hours and generous vacation policy
- Non-stop exposure to inspiring, admirable and otherwise amazing people
- Unlimited learning and growth opportunities
There are more, of course. Many more.
By your choice to become a consultant, you’ve decided to serve others. You relieve their pains, ease their burdens, lift them up, and enable their successes.
You, my friend, are a gift to the world.
Thank you for being you and thank you for reading (and commenting on) my articles.
What other gifts do you give or receive by virtue of leading a consulting practice?
Text and images are © 2025 David A. Fields, all rights reserved.
YOU are a gift to the consulting profession, my friend–happy holidays!
Awww, you’re very kind, Doc. We’re a happy, consulting family here! All the best for your holidays, too.
David,
BIG thanks for all your great articles and inspiration all year. This article is “perfect” timing and a great reminder of all the good things we overlook during the hustle and the bustle of the holiday season! Thank you for reminding us how fortunate we are as consultants and the intangible joys we overlook.
Happy Holidays!
I fully echo Frank’s sentiments!
And I fully echo those same sentiments back to you, Michael!
I appreciate your reading the article and taking a few moments to share how you feel. It makes a difference. Happy holidays!
You’re very welcome, Frank. It’s an absolute joy to share, learn and grow with peers like you. All the best for a joyous holiday season.
Wow! This was a powerful moment of reflection. Thank you for all the fantastic tools and advice, corny humor, and reminder of the bigger picture! To answer your question and add a 4th box to your framework: Gifts for Your Family: 1. Financial independence or diversification, 2. Flexibility to be there when it matters, 3. Role modeling entrepreneurship, and (making up a 4th one to complete the 4×4 framwork) 4. Travel points to fund vacations!!!
Outstanding addition to the list, Toopan. You’re right that consulting spins off a bevy of wonderful benefits for our families too. I appreciate your adding that dimension of gifts to the framework!
As to your comments about my articles, I resemble that remark!
Thanks for a touching article David. It is nice to reflect on why we do this and what we have to be thankful for. Happy holidays and see you in 2023. I hope the days ahead are filled with chocolate.
Now those are some on-point holiday wishes, Dave!
More importantly, I’m grateful to you and your willingness to share your wisdom, Dave. All the best for the holidays.
Great thoughts, thanks.
My favorite gift from consulting is the amazing people I meet. High achievers with the humility to listen and learn (while teaching me!).
Amen to that, Brian. In this profession we are afforded the opportunity to meet extraordinarily smart and accomplished people who share their wisdom directly or though their example. That is a fine gift indeed.
Thank you for highlighting that lovely benefit, Brian.