The 2022 Top Consultants: John Hawkins

John Hawkins is President and CEO of Management Performance International dba MPI Consulting, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based strategic consulting company. MPI (established in 1974) has 47 years of experience helping organizations with their Diversity Equity Inclusion, Employee Engagement, Organizational Development, Labor Relations, Compensation and Leadership Skills Training.

John is an internationally experienced executive, keynote speaker and corporate trainer. He has worked with hundreds of companies helping them to accelerate their business performance by improving strategies, developing their people and developing pragmatic implementation solutions. John has a proven track record of success having worked for and with some of the world's leading blue-chip companies such as Procter & Gamble, Kellogg's, Novartis, Glendinning Management Consulting, Revlon, Roche, Macy's, Mattel and SVZ.

John started his professional career with Procter & Gamble where he spent 17 years working in Marketing, Human Resources, Operations and International where he was Head of Sales in Brazil.

Upon returning to the U.S., John joined Kellogg's as VP of Sales, Central US. After Kellogg's, John became Senior vice president of Sales for Novartis Medical Nutrition's Acute Care and Home Care division.

John then joined Glendinning Management Consulting as VP of Consulting, Americas in Montreal, Canada. John acquired MPI in 2011.

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

I enjoy working with diverse people in diverse companies to understand what the issues are affecting them and what needs to be done to find solutions. To see people and companies connect in a productive and meaningful way when they were previously at odds and know that I was part of the solution is immensely satisfying. By finding solutions, there's a cascading effect of good outcomes from better employee retention, greater employee engagement, greater productivity, more free flow of ideas, a greater willingness to take risks that pay off, etc. To help companies and their employees move in a positive direction is one of the greatest aspects of being in the consulting industry.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

When I think about my greatest personal and professional achievements, they are most definitely centered around the people whose lives I've been able to impact in a positive way. This is true personally with respect to my 4 children and the incredible young adults that they have become. This is also true professionally as I think about the many managers and executives I've had the pleasure of hiring, coaching, mentoring and developing over the past 35 years. It is often said, "the sign of a great manager or leader is not what you achieve personally but what your people have achieved." That statement could not be more true in my experience. The individuals I have had the pleasure of working with and my children are by far my greatest achievement and source of pride.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

Consulting is a beautiful craft. The advice I would give someone starting their career in consulting today is to be a master of their craft. I would encourage them to understand what excellence looks like and to put their best foot forward in pursuit of that goal. Clients engage consultants because we are subject matter experts and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience based on our work with clients from diverse industries and backgrounds. To be effective in this craft as a consultant, one must be willing to consistently learn and grow their skills to ensure you are bringing this level of excellence to your clients.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

The best advice I've ever received is, "to be true to yourself." This can only happen when you've taken the time to really get in tune with who you are and know your strengths, your opportunities for growth and your weaknesses. Being true to oneself also allows you to be true to others as you bring your most authentic self to interactions with individuals personally and professionally. Being authentic matters.

What does being honored as a Top Consultant mean to you?

Being recognized as one of the top consultants in the U.S. is a tremendous achievement. I've never been one to chase recognition, but it is certainly nice when one's efforts over many years of hard work is recognized by their peers and in their industry. I'm humbled and grateful to receive this award and hopefully, I can continue to demonstrate that I and my organization are worthy of this award.