-- In a recent interview with Xraised, LeRoy Thompson, Managing Director of LeRoy Thompson & Associates, LLC and former McKinsey strategic thought leader, shares invaluable insights gained over his 25+ years of experience advising over 180 organizations across the public, private, nonprofit, and federal sectors. Known for his ability to outmaneuver larger consulting firms with a focus on clarity, flexibility, and exceptional value, LeRoy now dedicates his efforts to helping seasoned professionals transition into independent consulting practices.
LeRoy reflects on his early career in consulting, explaining how the intellectual challenge, variety, and pace of the field drew him in. From the beginning, he was energized by the opportunity to simplify complex concepts and translate them into practical actions that could transform organizations. This passion for improving organizational life through strategy became the foundation of his consulting career.
You can watch the full interview here.
Building a Niche in Change Management and Strategic Consulting
LeRoy’s success comes from his ability to carve out a distinct niche in change management. When asked what has helped him differentiate himself from much larger firms, he highlights his constant commitment to reinvention. Unlike many bigger consulting companies that often get caught up in industry fads, LeRoy has focused on refreshing the tools and strategies that have consistently worked for him, even as the industry has evolved.
His business model, centered around providing exceptional value and outcome-focused flexibility, has allowed him to build long-term trust with clients. This "no nickel-and-dime" approach to consulting ensures that his clients get the highest quality service without unexpected costs, setting him apart from larger firms where clients may face hidden fees and less personalized attention.
Driving Organizational Change and DEI with Practical, Neuroscience-Informed Strategies
In addition to helping individuals transition into consulting, LeRoy continues to work in organizational development, focusing on change management and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) strategies. He is passionate about simplifying DEI, integrating insights from neuroscience to help organizations reduce defensiveness, and improving their ability to hold meaningful conversations about equity.
Through his work, LeRoy encourages organizations to use neuroscience-backed methods that promote more productive and inclusive discussions on DEI, helping them implement change initiatives that are not only effective but also sustainable.
The Shift to Helping Others Build Independent Consulting Practices
After many years of building what he described as a “lifestyle business,” LeRoy recognized an opportunity to help others achieve similar success. He began focusing on professionals who wanted to transition to independent consulting, particularly those who felt undervalued in their current roles or were seeking more autonomy and financial upside. This decision marked a pivotal moment in his career, one driven by both personal reflection and a professional desire to give back.
LeRoy now works with seasoned professionals—many of whom come from corporate, government, and nonprofit backgrounds—to help them navigate the path from uncertainty to confidence in launching their own consulting practices. He focuses on helping these individuals build businesses that are aligned with their lifestyle, values, and legacy. LeRoy uses the strategies and tools that helped him succeed in his own career, blending lessons learned from McKinsey, Booz Allen, and Kepner-Tregoe with his own experience.
Challenging Common Misconceptions About Consulting
A major part of LeRoy’s work involves dispelling myths that often hold professionals back from starting their own consulting practices. Many believe they need more credentials, or that their expertise is “common sense” and therefore not valuable enough to monetize. Others fear that consulting requires aggressive self-promotion or huge investments in infrastructure.
LeRoy takes the time to challenge these misconceptions, emphasizing that authentic, relationship-driven consulting is not only profitable but also fulfilling. By reframing these myths, he shows that professionals don’t need a vast array of formal credentials or massive marketing budgets to succeed in consulting. Instead, they can rely on the deep value of their expertise and relationships to build a sustainable, high-value business.
Why Now Is the Time to Build an Independent Consulting Practice
LeRoy’s message is clear: professionals have much more value than they often realize. For those who have spent decades in the workforce, he stresses the importance of recognizing that experience has inherent value—and that now is the time to claim it. By transitioning into independent consulting, seasoned professionals can gain the autonomy they’ve long desired, create businesses aligned with their personal values, and build practices that support both their immediate needs and long-term legacy.
For professionals who feel stuck or undervalued, LeRoy’s approach offers clarity, confidence, and control over their expertise. It’s about building a consulting business that isn’t just successful, but also meaningful and aligned with the life they want to live.
About LeRoy Thompson
LeRoy Thompson is the Managing Director of Thompson & Associates and a former strategic thought leader at McKinsey. With over 25 years of experience in organizational development, change management, and strategic consulting, LeRoy has helped over 180 organizations across diverse sectors. Today, he focuses on empowering seasoned professionals to transition into independent consulting, providing them with the tools and strategies they need to build sustainable, high-value practices.
About LeRoy Thompson & Associates
Thompson & Associates is a consulting firm specializing in organizational development, change management, DEI, and leadership capacity-building. Founded by LeRoy Thompson, the firm helps organizations and professionals create sustainable, high-impact change by providing tailored strategies and guidance. Thompson & Associates empowers clients to develop consulting practices that align with their lifestyle, values, and professional legacy.
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