Elevation Insights – August 2025

At Elevation Learning, we often describe August as a vital “reset month” – a time to step back from day-to-day delivery and invest in personal growth. For many, the natural pause of a summer break provides space to reflect on career progression, revisit performance goals, and reconnect with broader ambitions.

The most impactful consultants understand that growth doesn’t come from standing still. They continuously challenge themselves to think differently, build new skills, and step beyond what feels comfortable. Recent psychological research, Science’s Path to a Richer Life: Beyond Happiness, suggests that a fulfilled life is not only about happiness or meaning but also about psychological richness – lives marked by novelty, complexity, and personal challenge. For consultants, this is a powerful reminder that embracing discomfort and stretching into new experiences can fuel adaptability, creativity, and resilience.

Organisations, however, are still catching up. Deloitte’s 2025 Global Human Capital Trends report highlights slow progress in optimising human performance, calling for a more holistic approach that centres on intrinsic motivation, continuous feedback, and human performance engineering. This aligns with a wider shift in the market as individuals are increasingly investing in personal coaching and training to advance both physical and mental well-being. A recent report on the Personal Development Market Projection shows the global market is set to grow by over 60% in the next decade, with Europe playing a leading role in self-awareness and skills development.

Looking ahead, personal development is also about future-proofing. As Fast Company noted in The Secret to Success in the AI Age: Broadening Yourself, to thrive in a world reshaped by AI requires deliberately stretching beyond narrow expertise. Broadening skills, perspectives, and experiences not only builds adaptability but also ensures consultants remain relevant and valuable at a time when technology is rapidly changing the nature of consulting work.

Organisations are also turning to AI-based coaching to scale personal development. Platforms like BetterUp Grow provide real-time, tailored guidance aligned to individual goals, helping employees build confidence and progress in their roles. Early adopters report higher satisfaction and measurable performance gains, showing how technology can complement traditional coaching and make development more accessible.

The evidence is clear. When consultants prioritise their own development – through reflection, skill-building, and coaching – the benefits go far beyond personal satisfaction. Personal development enhances effectiveness, strengthens resilience, and lays the foundation for long-term career success.

At Elevation Learning we know that excellent consultants never stop learning and developing. Continuous learning and personal growth are the foundations of long-term success. That’s why we support consultants in developing meaningful, realistic Personal Development Plans and encourage them to focus on three core areas:

• Self-awareness and reflection – Taking an honest look at strengths, blind spots, and opportunities for growth.
• Confidence-building – Learning how to quieten the inner critic and show up with credibility and impact.
• Embracing a growth mindset – Viewing challenges as opportunities, not setbacks.

True development isn’t just about attending a course or reading a book. It’s about applying insights in ways that create lasting change. Real growth happens when you pause to ask tough questions, challenge old thinking patterns, and step beyond the limits of your comfort zone.

Our programmes provide practical ways to help consultants overcome common barriers to growth and performance, including:

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence in their expertise.
• Strengthening resilience to thrive under pressure and lead complex conversations.
• Embedding mindset shifts and daily habits that make growth sustainable.

In consulting, personal development is the foundation for staying relevant, building credibility, and delivering lasting client impact.