Podcast Summary

In the final episode of Series 2 of The HE Consultant's Toolkit, Karen Heard-Lauréote reflects on the often unspoken realities of working independently in the higher education sector. From working as an outsider and financial uncertainty to relational complexity, self-doubt and shifting definitions of success, Karen explores the nuanced emotional and professional dimensions of freelance and consultancy work in HE. With characteristic candour and insight, she shares the strategies and reflections that help her stay grounded, connected and purposeful between contracts.

Key Takeaways

• Independent work can be isolating; connection requires effort and intentionality.

• Financial instability carries emotional as well as practical implications.

• Consultants can be perceived as a threat or disruption to institutional norms.

• Lack of feedback can breed self-doubt; tracking your own growth matters.

• Success is not always defined by outputs or prestige—values alignment and wellbeing matter.

  
  

  Links to Relevant Resources

  • Thinking about going freelance or setting up a consultancy in HE?

  My new short course offers practical guidance to help you take the first steps. Find out more at khlconsulting.co.uk/consultancy-course

  • KHL Consulting Website: www.khlconsulting.co.uk

  • LinkedIn Profile for Karen Heard-Lauréote: www.linkedin.com/in/profkhl

  • Network for Educational Enhancement Consultants: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14409504/

    
    

    Calls to Action

    · Subscribe and Share: If you enjoyed this episode or found series two helpful, please subscribe and share it with your network.

    · Connect on LinkedIn: I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s podcast, so feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

    · Look Out for Series 3: We’ll be back soon with the next series. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!

    
    

Podcast Summary

In this episode of The HE Consultant’s Toolkit, Karen Heard-Lauréote explores the subtle but significant political dimensions of consultancy in higher education. When brought into a university or college, consultants step into environments shaped by power, history, and internal dynamics - and their presence can be misread, misunderstood, or even quietly resisted.

Karen reflects on how she approaches these situations with care, insight, and professionalism. She discusses how to read the informal signals, assess institutional dynamics, and scope work in a way that builds trust rather than suspicion. With particular sensitivity to the current financial pressures facing the sector, she addresses how consultants can avoid being seen as a threat or a cost-cutting mechanism, and instead position themselves as constructive collaborators.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at how to work ethically, respectfully, and with emotional intelligence when the politics are quietly at play - or right on the surface.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Not all politics are visible. Often, the context that shapes your work is shaped by longstanding tensions, informal influence, or unresolved decisions, not just formal governance.
  

• First impressions matter. Pay attention to tone, urgency, who is involved, and how decisions are made. These early cues can tell you a great deal.
  

• Influence doesn’t follow hierarchy. Informal authority can shape outcomes as much as formal roles. Understanding this dynamic is key to working effectively.
  

• Stay within your remit. Be clear about your role and boundaries. Don’t be drawn into internal dynamics that compromise your independence or neutrality.
  

• Anticipate concerns. In a financially pressured climate, consultants may be perceived as threatening. Be transparent about your purpose and take time to build trust.
  

• Hold steady. When things get politically difficult, don’t rush to fix or absorb it. Step back, clarify, or slow down if needed — without losing your professional footing.

• Use tone and timing to deliver difficult messages. Introduce findings in conversation first, offer space for reflection, and provide flexible framing options.
  

• Lead with humility. Approach institutional cultures with respect, curiosity and care. People may be tired, stretched, or uncertain — meet them with patience, not pressure.

Links to Relevant Resources

• Thinking about going freelance or setting up a consultancy in HE?

My new short course offers practical guidance to help you take the first steps. Find out more at khlconsulting.co.uk/consultancy-course

• KHL Consulting Website: www.khlconsulting.co.uk

• LinkedIn Profile for Karen Heard-Lauréote: www.linkedin.com/in/profkhl

• Network for Educational Enhancement Consultants: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14409504/

  
  

  Calls to Action

  · Subscribe and Share: If you enjoyed this episode or found series two helpful, please subscribe and share it with your network.

  · Connect on LinkedIn: I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s podcast, so feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

  · Look Out for Series 2: Episode 5: We’ll be back soon with the last episode in this series. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!

  
  

Podcast Summary

In this episode of The HE Consultant’s Toolkit, Karen Heard-Lauréote explores the often-overlooked - but vital - skill of turning a vague enquiry or brief into a purposeful and deliverable consultancy project. Drawing on her own experience, Karen discusses how to read between the lines of a client’s request, ask the right discovery questions, avoid common pitfalls, and shape a project that is realistic, aligned, and professionally respectful.

The episode also addresses the risks of giving too much away too early, how to manage scope confidently, and why protecting your intellectual labour is just as important as delivering quality work. Whether you’re new to consultancy or looking to refine your practice, this episode offers both practical strategies and reflective insight into early-stage consultancy conversations.

Key Takeaways

• What’s asked isn’t always what’s meant. Clients often frame their need in technical terms, but the real issue may be cultural, strategic, or relational.

• Use discovery questions to dig deeper. Open questions, silence, and techniques like the Five Whys can uncover the real drivers behind a brief.

• Avoid common pitfalls. Don’t jump to solutions, overpromise, or allow scope to expand without a conversation about time, cost, and purpose.

• Be cautious about sharing detailed approaches. Even with “commercial in confidence” language, there’s a risk your thinking may be used without engagement.

• Offer enough to build confidence—but not a blueprint. A high-level outline of phases or methods shows your value without giving your work away.

• Check the project fits you. Ask yourself whether it suits your skills, capacity, and values. If not, suggest a phased start or recommend a colleague.

• Push back professionally. Reframe vague or unrealistic requests with outcome-focused alternatives that show clarity and leadership.

• Use a clear scoping framework: Listen – Clarify – Frame – Confirm. This supports collaboration and shared understanding from the outset.

Links to Relevant Resources

· Thinking about going freelance or setting up a consultancy in HE? My new short course offers practical guidance to help you take the first steps. Find out more at khlconsulting.co.uk/consultancy-course

• KHL Consulting Website: www.khlconsulting.co.uk

· LinkedIn Profile for Karen Heard-Lauréote: www.linkedin.com/in/profkhl

· Network for Educational Enhancement Consultants: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14409504/

Calls to Action

· Subscribe and Share: If you enjoyed this episode or found series one helpful, please subscribe and share it with your network.

· Connect on LinkedIn: I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s podcast, so feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

· Look Out for Series 2: Episode 4: We’ll be back soon with the next episode. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!