2024: The Year - Trust Can't Be Outsourced

When a client asked me to meet at a place called "The Space Cow," I knew something different was about to happen. That quirky meeting became a masterclass in what truly matters in business: genuine connection.

Over 25 years in consulting, I've watched organizations treat consultants quite well and also like commodities—transactional resources to be ordered, managed, and replaced. But 2024 reinforced a crucial lesson: trust isn't a checkbox. It's the fundamental currency of any meaningful professional relationship.

At Docent, we've been mapping this terrain, using our own differentiating process to help leaders transform how they select, engage, and grow with consultants. Our work isn't just about finding talent—it's also about creating partnerships that transcend traditional vendor-client dynamics.

Three insights that crystallized this year:

The Proposal Puzzle: Even brilliant consultants miss relationship-building basics. "Remember to take just a little more time to do the simple things. Behave like you're really interested in the client and the project."

https://lnkd.in/guU9tDrF

Space Cow Revelations: Great partnerships happen when you're willing to meet somewhere unexpected—literally and metaphorically. "When you've got someone who understands your goals and works seamlessly with you, it feels like a true partnership."

https://lnkd.in/gi8feHZk

Don't Shortchange Collaboration: Active, intentional relationship management transforms consulting from a transaction to a strategic advantage.

https://lnkd.in/gXNkQGFR

For 2025, we invite you to join us on our journey……

…..with purpose as we continue to help organizations understand how to find the right consultant—one that isn't just skilled—but also a strategic partner who fundamentally understands your world.

Sometimes that partnership starts at a place called the Space Cow.

A collaborative article by Docent and coauthor.studio