What is Performance Consulting?

I’ll be honest- I struggled to write this post. Not because performance consulting isn’t important, but because there’s so much that goes into it. I didn’t know how to begin.

So I decided to start with a few common myths that I heard throughout my career: Performance consulting is about quick fixes, it’s only about improving motivation, and it’s not based in science.

Let’s clear that up.

Myth #1: Quick Fixes

Performance Consultants take time- and it’s intentional. As consultants, we work to understand our clients as whole people, not just having problems that need to be solved.

Performance is complex. It’s influenced by environment, expectations, stress, confidence, worries, leadership, team, and past experiences. Rushing to solutions rarely leads to lasting change.

Instead, performance consultants take a step back, look at the full picture, and then design focused, practical skills that are tailored to the individual and their situation. The goal isn’t a bandaid solution-but sustained improvement.

Myth #2: Only about improving motivation

Motivation matters, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.

Many people are highly motivated and still struggle to perform the way they want to. Effort isn’t always the issue. Sometimes expectations aren’t clear. Sometimes stress is too high. Sometimes, confidence, environment, or support systems are the limiting factors.

If you’ve ever felt like you were trying hard but something still wasn’t clicking, performance consulting helps identify why—and what can actually move things forward.

Myth #3: Not based in science

Performance consulting is an evidence-based practice rooted in sport and performance psychology.

Consultants spend years studying psychological theories, research, and applied methods. The skills and strategies used aren’t random or trendy—they’re informed by research and intentionally selected based on the client’s needs, goals, and environment.

In other words, performance consulting blends science with real-world application to help people perform well where it matters most.

Why I Do This Work

I do this work because I’ve seen what happens when capable, driven people are misunderstood. When performance struggles are labeled as laziness, lack of commitment, or a motivation issue, people often walk away discouraged—believing the problem is them.

Performance consulting offers a different approach. It creates space to ask better questions, to understand the full picture, and to respond with solutions that actually fit the person and the environment they’re in.

I believe people perform best when they feel understood, supported, and equipped with the right tools—not rushed into quick fixes or oversimplified explanations. That belief is what continues to guide my work and why performance consulting matters so deeply to me.