Start with a conversation.

The best engagements look the same from the inside.

We've learned the most from long relationships with founders who treat this as shared work. These are the traits we look for in the first conversation.

1. 01

   You play a long game.

   You think in quarters and years. You want your team to get better at this after we leave, not a deck you file away.

2. 02

   You want to know how it works.

   You ask “why?” and “what taught you that?” You want the reasoning behind a recommendation before you act on it.

3. 03

   You argue, then you update.

   You push back hard. When the better argument wins, you say so, out loud and in front of your team. You can be persuaded, but not flattered.

4. 04

   You get your hands dirty.

   You've already tried the tool, run the experiment, or pushed a real case through the process yourself before we ask.

5. 05

   You start from your client's experience.

   You know what your clients feel when they open your work, and you measure yourself by it. “How's business?” is your first question in a check-in, not an afterthought.

6. 06

   You bring your team in.

   You want the people who do the work in the room. You credit them by name, and you want them to push back on you as well.

7. 07

   You're honest about the gaps.

   You'll say “we're a B-plus at that” or “that one's on me.” Candour about what isn't working is where the useful work starts.