Range vs. Depth in Consulting: Why the Future Belongs to Connectors

Range vs. Depth in Consulting: Why the Future Belongs to Connectors

As we build Kholo, I’ve been reflecting on how to position our expertise. Are we like a restaurant serving everything—without mastering any one cuisine? Or are we a specialist kitchen, perfecting just one dish?

The truth is that the best consultants balance range and depth.

The Specialist vs. Generalist Debate

For decades, consulting has been divided into:

• Specialists — deep expertise in a niche.
• Generalists — broad experience across industries.

But today’s interconnected business landscape demands more than either extreme. Organisations need consultants who can synthesise knowledge, bridge gaps, and apply systems thinking to create meaningful impact.

Businesses as Complex, Interconnected Systems

Every decision ripples across multiple functions:

• A supply chain shift impacts finance, sustainability, and branding.
• A leadership culture change influences engagement, innovation, and risk.
• Transformation isn’t just strategy—it’s behaviour, psychology, and communication.

This is where systems thinkers thrive—those who bring:

• Range — seeing the big picture across disciplines.
• Depth — deep expertise in key areas.

The Consultant as an Integrator

A deep expert may lack cross-functional agility. A generalist may see patterns but lack executional depth.

The most effective consultants blend both, acting as integrators who connect silos, anticipate ripple effects, and help organisations adapt.

How to Cultivate Both Range and Depth

For leaders and consultants alike, the path forward is to:

• Master one area but stay curious—cross-disciplinary learning is key.
• Map interdependencies to see how parts interact, not just isolated fixes.
• Ask second-order questions about unintended effects of each decision.

Kholo: Where Range Meets Depth in Consulting

At Kholo, we address workplace disengagement by integrating:

• Strategy consulting for clarity and alignment.
• Personal development for leadership and growth.
• Systems thinking for sustainable, organisation-wide impact.

^We work with top-tier consultants (MBB and beyond), blending deep expertise with broad, cross-functional insight—and a passion for human-centred leadership.

Conclusion: The Future Belongs to Connectors

The next wave of consulting belongs to those who can connect across boundaries—integrating range with depth, and expertise with adaptability.

At Kholo, we help leaders and organisations thrive in complexity by building bridges, not silos. Book a call with Kholo.

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