The 2022 Top Consultants: Ravin Jesuthasan

Senior Partner and Global Leader for Transformation Services Ravin Jesuthasan is the global leader of Mercer's Transformation Services business. He is a recognized global thought leader, futurist and author on the future of work and workforce transformation. Ravin has led numerous research projects for the World Economic Forum including many of its ground-breaking studies on the transformation of work and the global workforce. He is a regular presenter at the Forum's annual meeting in Davos and is a member of its Steering Committee on Work and Employment. Ravin was named to the Thinkers 50 Radar Class of 2020. He has also been recognized as one of the top 8 future of work influencers by Tech News and one of the top 100 HR influencers by HR Executive. He is the author of the books Transformative HR (Wiley, 2012), Lead The Work: Navigating a World Beyond Employment (Wiley 2015), Reinventing Jobs: A 4-Step Approach to Applying Automation to Work (HBR Press, 2018) and Work Without Jobs: How to Reboot Your Organization's Work Operating System (MIT Press, 2022). He is an advisor to the management teams and boards of some of the largest companies in the world.

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

Over the course of my close to 30-year career, I have been continually motivated by the opportunity to innovate and make a difference for my clients. I can honestly say I have never provided the same solution to two clients. Every project has been an opportunity to push the envelope and break new ground. And I have been blessed by the opportunity to codify my ideas and tell the stories of my clients for the benefit of leaders everywhere.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

My team. I have been blessed to have worked for 2 organizations, Towers Watson and Mercer, who have consistently afforded me the opportunity to express my intellectual curiosity and innovate with my colleagues and clients. Both organizations have supported me with the resources and space to innovate and have realized a significant return through consistent revenue growth from new intellectual property, the acquisition of new clients and a reputation for nurturing world-class thought leadership. What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry? The opportunity to shape the future of the industry. Through my thought leadership, the leadership of various businesses and mentoring of the next generation of consultants, I am truly energized by the impact I have and continue to make. It is what has kept me going for almost 30 years and I see no end in sight!

What is your proudest achievement to date?

I wish I could narrow it down to one achievement. Over the course of my career, I have had the great privilege of assisting some of the most prominent organizations in the world at their moments that matter. Three instances stand out the most. I was honored to have advised a major global airliner through their bankruptcy, helping them reduce their annual labor cost by over $5 billion while resetting their culture. I had the privilege of helping a large energy firm reinvent itself post a major accident. And more recently, I was thrilled to be able to work with a major consumer goods company to help them develop their Framework for the Future of Work, setting the stage for a transformation that continues to be the gold standard for companies around the world.

What does this recognition mean to you?

There is no higher recognition for a consultant than the recognition of one's own industry. Consulting Magazine continually raises the bar by showcasing the best of us. To make this list would be a dream come true and the fulfillment of a career-long pursuit.