The Top 25 Most Influential Consultants 2002

Consultant of the Year

That leadership emerges during troubled times is a maxim many of us learned in history class, but until recently we have had limited first-hand knowledge to validate the assertion. Last fall, the old adage proved true when the Twin Towers fell in New York City, and leadership emerged at the heart of tragedy. Even for those who knew him well, few likely suspected that Rudy Giuliani was capable of emitting the gravitational pull needed to transport an entire population back to the mental safety zone of rational thought and reason. This feat that the entire nation observed propelled the 58-year-old's popularity to new heights as he exited his final term as mayor of New York and formed the consulting firm known as Giuliani Partners.
It's a small firm, but one that, due to the unique origins of Giuliani's leadership, is now arguably positioned to energize the profession more than any other firm in its weight class — or above. Unlike that of so many others before him, Giuliani's leadership emerged from a tragedy brought on by the destruction of a symbol of economic might — a symbol attacked because of one nation's economic success. Who better than Giuliani to fortify the profession's leadership credentials, and who better to mobilize the CEOs of the 21st century for the war against terrorism?
Back in the nation's classrooms, the history books have only just begun to detail how angry individuals can act on a world stage and move populations into wars just as nations do. It's here where the assault on our economy and the industry that underpins it may someday fill a dark chapter. It's here where the consulting profession now