If you’ve worked with me, you may already know that I didn’t come to the law firm consulting industry through the traditional path. My background isn’t in law or business. It’s in nursing.
That might seem like a strange leap at first, but the longer I’ve worked with firms, the more connections I’ve seen between bedside care and consulting. The truth is, people are people (whether they’re patients or clients or team members), and meeting them where they are, understanding their needs, and tailoring your approach is what makes any support truly effective.
Let me explain.
I started my nursing career on a medical-surgical floor right out of college. I had received my BSN and was taking what I had learned into the hospital setting. The work was fairly structured. Patients were brought to my floor post-surgery or for complications from a diagnosis like COPD or even wound infections. My job was to follow a plan: administer meds, monitor for signs of infection, and educate them before discharging them home. It was important work, and it taught me consistency, precision, and the importance of following a well-established standard of care right out the gate. Then I transitioned to labor and delivery nursing.
And that changed everything.
In L&D, no two days (or patients) were the same. Some moms came in with detailed birth plans. Some wanted epidurals, others wanted natural births. Some wanted calming music played, some wanted to be free to move around, and some didn’t want IVs. They had choices. And as a nurse, my job wasn’t to override their preferences, but to adapt and support each individual plan while still focusing on the same outcome: a healthy mom and baby.
This is where the parallels to consulting come in.
At Vista, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Law firms are as different as laboring moms. They come to us with different histories, goals, structures, pain points, and expectations. Our job is to listen, learn, and then support their journey. This does not happen by handing them a binder full of best practices and walking away, but by tailoring our approach to what success looks like for them.
Sometimes that means helping a firm push through the “pain” of growth. This might involve changing systems, roles, or expectations. Other times, it means recognizing when they’re at capacity and needing relief. Either way, we’re there to support, not to control.
In those intense moments in the delivery room, I learned to always ask: “What kind of nurse do you want me to be?” Did my patient want a cheerleader to help them stick with their natural birth plan? Or did they need someone to step in, call for the epidural, and help them pivot? And their answer to those questions determined my role and the part I played in their labor and delivery journey.
The same question applies in good, meaningful consulting engagements:
“What kind of consultant do you want me to be?”
Do you want someone to hold you accountable to the plan? Or someone to help you shift strategies when the plan stops serving you? (Notice… the pixie dust approach isn’t an option! This is Vista, folks.)
These "who do you need" experiences have shaped the way I look at the work we do at Vista. Rigid formulas and standard checklists alone are not enough. The real goal should be more focused on building trust, understanding the goals, and being clear on the kind of support someone needs. Some firms want a steady hand to guide them step-by-step. Others want someone to challenge them, hold them accountable, and push them through the hard parts. Either way, the destination stays the same: Healthier firms, stronger teams, and better outcomes. But how do we get there? That’s where the work gets personal and the partnership begins.
Just like in labor and delivery, I couldn’t snap my fingers and make a baby appear. There’s a process, a plan, and a whole lot of hard work involved. The same goes for building a high-performing law firm. There is no elevator to the top; you have to take the stairs. It's work…real work. The kind that requires consistent effort, honest conversations, and a willingness to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. The labor part doesn’t instantly produce the baby, and the consulting doesn’t instantly produce a solution. Both require endurance, intentionality, and a commitment to keep going, even when it gets uncomfortable.
I’ll be honest, when I was working with my “all-natural” moms, the last thing I wanted was for one of them to look back on their delivery and feel like I gave in too soon, or worse, that I didn’t support them in the way they needed. That’s why I always asked, “What kind of nurse do you want me to be?” I needed clarity so I could show up for them the right way, especially in the hardest moments...the moments when the work felt like too much and they were ready to quit.
Law firm leaders, the same principle applies to you. Your consultant can bring insight, structure, and support, but we can’t read your mind. Be clear about what you need. Are you looking for accountability? Encouragement? A push through the discomfort? We’re here for all of it, but the way we show up will always be stronger when we know how to serve you in that moment best.
Now for the exciting part! Take this quick quiz to find your ideal consulting match. These questions are designed to help you reflect on your firm’s needs, define your goals, and identify the type of consultant best suited to help you achieve them. Use this opportunity not only to evaluate what you require from a consultant, but also to determine if you’re prepared to embrace the journey of growth and transformation.
1. What’s your firm’s vibe?
2. How do you want a consultant to work with you?
3. How ready is your firm for change?
4. What’s your communication style?
5. What does success look like to you?
6. What’s your biggest challenge right now?
Take a moment to review your answers and tally up how many times you selected A, B, or C.
A: _____
B: _____
C: _____
Mostly A’s: The Strategist
You need a consultant who’s all about action. They’ll bring proven strategies, best practices, and clear steps to help your firm scale quickly and efficiently.
Mostly B’s: The Tailored Innovator
You’re looking for someone who will dig deep into your firm’s unique needs and craft creative, personalized solutions. Collaboration and innovation are key for you.
Mostly C’s: The Balanced Advisor
You need a consultant who can do it all. You need the unicorn. You want a consultant who can balance the big picture with day-to-day details, guide you through change at your pace, and offer a mix of structure and flexibility.
So, the next time you’re navigating change, striving for growth, or just trying to keep everything on track, ask yourself: “What kind of support do we need right now?” And don’t be afraid to answer honestly.
At Vista, we believe in meeting you exactly where you are. Whether you need help developing a stronger team, optimizing processes, or creating a long-term strategy, our consultants are ready to guide, support, and help you bring something meaningful to your firm. Growth (whether it’s building a better business or achieving your firm’s unique goals) is never easy, but that evolution is worth it. Firms that work with our team here at Vista have gained a partner who aligns their expertise with a firm’s mission. From law firm leadership teams to financial services, we have a consultant for every type of firm, ready to help you thrive. Let’s have that conversation. Together, we’ll do incredible work. Ready to find your perfect consulting partner? Reach out to Vista today and take the first step toward meaningful growth!
