๐๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต: Elia Blankenship is a consulting leader at RSM specializing in transformation work for financial institutions and beyond. With a background in management, organizational change, and a deep commitment to emotional intelligence, Elia challenges the traditional โconsultant tells, client doesโ approach. Instead, she builds partnerships rooted in listening, candor, and collaboration, empowering clients to own their growth journey. Sheโs also a champion for automation and AI adoption in the industries she serves.
๐๐ฑ๐ช๐ด๐ฐ๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ข๐ณ๐บ: In this conversation, host Steve Mellor and guest Elia Blankenship unpack what it really means to be โgrowth ready.โ They challenge outdated notions of consulting, explore the role of trust and candidness in partnerships, and dig into the messy reality of change. Elia shares her approach to creating ownership in clients, why โreading the roomโ is a critical skill, and how personal growth mirrors professional transformation. They also touch on adapting to digital trends, breaking through ego and bias, and the importance of staying curious in a fast-moving world.
At the heart of the discussion? Growth takes work. Hard work. But with the right people, the right mindset, and the willingness to listen, itโs work worth doing.
๐๐ฆ๐บ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ข๐ธ๐ข๐บ๐ด:
-Rethinking the role of a consultant
-The importance of listening, humility, and service in leadership
-Building trust before candid conversations
-Creating ownership so clients sustain progress
-Overcoming ego, pride of ownership, and readiness barriers
Reading the room and adapting communication styles
-Applying consulting lessons to family and personal growth
-The need to embrace AI, automation, and digital transformation
-How speed-to-market is changing the consulting landscape
-Personal reflections on future growth and unfinished projects
๐๐ฆ๐ด๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ๐ค๐ฆ๐ด & ๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ด:
RSM โ https://rsmus.com
Books on Emotional Intelligence (Emotional Intelligence 2.0)
Microsoft Copilot and AI tools referenced in discussion