The 2022 Women Leaders In Consulting: Amanda Scott

At WTW, Amanda Scott is the Global Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Leader based in London. She leads a global team that helps clients evaluate and address the critical people-related issues, assets, liabilities, risks and opportunities surrounding corporate transactions. She inspires people to think differently about the future as they implement large-scale organizational change to drive innovation, diversity and positive growth.

She is also the CEO/Founder of Mike's Mates, a mental health charity in the UK. Additionally, Amanda is a Board Member for Global Women 4 Wellbeing (GW4W) and the Viviana Durante Ballet Company. She was also presented as a 2021 HERoes for Inclusion and Diversity by Yahoo Finance; and was awarded as one of the UK 50 Leading Lights for Leadership & Kindness from Women of the Future. She regularly publishes industry thought leadership, provides commentary to the UK press and social media, and is an active public speaker.

Amanda graduated with an MBA in Management & Organization, and Finance from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. There she was the 2007 President and 2006 vice president of Finance of the board of directors for the Part-Time MBA Association. Additionally, she holds a BA in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

So much of my life and my career was focused on striving for happiness. The next opportunity. The next promotion. So I could respond to this question in a variety of ways: Role. Opportunity. Degree. Award. But none of those typical points of achievement seem to work as I'd always say, after this next success then I'll be happy.

But then the pandemic hit. Life paused. And what I realized, what I learned about myself, is that to be happy sometimes all I have to do is just stop. And BE happy. Give myself permission to be happy. Be proud of what I've achieved, the journey I'm still on and who I am.

Therefore, my greatest achievement is to enjoy where I am. Enjoy my two young children and family. Take pride in their kindness and honesty. And I enjoy my career and current role as Global Head of M&A. It's a wonderful team of brilliant experts, transforming clients and meaningful work.

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

I used to think that the most valuable impact someone could have on your career is to help you "up" the ladder. I was wrong.

• Some also show you the ladder isn't up, but sideways and squiggly.
• Some show you that "up" can also be "down."
• Some support and encourage the climb.
• Some carry you on their shoulders until you find your footing again.
• Some teach you that the "up" is subjective and intrinsic.
• Some role model and show you a different kind of up.
• Some mentor and sponsor your "up."
• Some show you that there's value in stillness as well as movement.
• Some show you it's not about the ladder at all.
• Some remind you that laughter and enjoying the journey is just as important.
• And while a few do pull the ladder up behind them, luckily that's the "few" rather than the "some."

And when reflecting on those that have had the most life-changing impact on me, it has often been those that have shown me rungs on the ladder that I didn't even know existed.

What do you enjoy most about your consulting career?

Finding the perfect combination of client, consultant and project, is such a powerful opportunity to drive meaningful change in an organization. It's about elevating the conversation, challenging people and businesses to think differently, and then helping them along that journey. Being a consultant is just a great way to help people, drive a wider positive impact, and demonstrate empathy and kindness.

When values underpin work, that's where real impact happens. Helping organizations to listen, reward, align, and communicate with employees to enable corporate strategy is so remarkable. As consultants, we are lucky to have the opportunity to be part of so many teams and experience so many diverse challenges. And in M&A, we often say that 'when you've seen one deal, you've seen one deal' because every transaction has its own personality and nuances, particularly when focusing on the impact it has on people and leadership.

Consulting enables us to be curious, be thoughtful and find ways of bringing new ideas into organizations. It's constantly changing, and constantly challenging. And leading a team of experts that you're continually impressed by and learning from is such a privilege. It's incredible to be surrounded by intelligent and successful people.

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

What makes you odd, will make you great.

Almost 20 years ago, I started my career as an analyst in the retirement business. Taking actuarial exams, doing valuations and benefit calcs. I loved it. I was working hard, getting by – but my peers were brilliant, they outpaced me in promotions and progression. I tried to fill the gap through extra effort, 120% billable hour targets and great client feedback. I knew I didn't fit into the box, but I desperately wanted to.

So every performance management meeting with my supervisor, I'd go in braced for the feedback. Glazing over the positive feedback to get to the negative feedback, so I could sharpen my focus and try to get better.

Until one day, she gave me advice that changed everything, 'Stop focusing so much on the negative. Yes, you can learn from this and build on it. But also focus on the positives. That's what will make you great.' I took a deep breath and started over. I re-read through the positive feedback, 'She should think about a consulting role as she develops great client relationships and has broad strategic thinking.'

As a budding actuary-hopeful, this was devastating feedback at first. But then I realized she was helping me pivot, she was helping my strengths and explaining that these could make you great.

From that point, I embraced client relationships and client focus. I got my MBA to strengthen my ability for strategic thinking. I embraced my passions, honesty and emotional intelligence. All whilst building a strong baseline of technical competence.

Nowadays, every once in a while when I find that I no longer fit in a box, I remember her advice.

Sometimes you feel like a round peg in a square hole, like perhaps there's nowhere you'll fit. But that might be exactly what you need to find the space to grow and embrace the unique skill set you have.

What does being honored as a Woman Leader in Consulting mean to you?

Being a Woman Leader in Consulting is an honor as it's important that we elevate and role model different kinds of leadership. When I started my career, I asked for advice on how to grow into leadership. The reply: tie your hair back, wear trousers, less blond. And I've had a lot of coaching: deepen my voice, less smiling, stronger body language. Be more masculine.

Every female leader will likely have at least one instance where they received feedback on their look or advice to pull back on femininity to advance. So to showcase leaders that are female, answers the question: Can leadership be female, and be feminine?

• Leadership can be female and it can be feminine.
• It can be graceful and beautiful.
• It can be thoughtful and persuasive.
• It can be high fashion and pedicures.
• It can be laughter and empathy.
• It can be global with coordinating luggage.
• It can be whatever you want it to be.

There is no one way to be a leader.