How Ashurst strengthened its Emerging Leaders by powering up on Self Awareness, Team Strengths & Communication.

Why did you come to Maxme, and how did you hear about its products/programs?

"We were introduced through a trusted network connection with firsthand experience with Maxme’s human skills programs. In the wake of the challenges posed by COVID-19, particularly in supporting our younger workforce, we recognised the need to strengthen our team’s ability to collaborate, communicate, and build resilience in high-pressure environments.

While technical excellence has always been a priority at Ashurst, true success in professional services—especially in management consulting—requires more than just expertise. Maxme’s reputation for delivering engaging, highly practical, results-driven programs stood out; aligning with our vision of developing well-rounded professionals. Maxme’s approach to human skill development equips our consultants to not only excel in their field, but influence senior clients, thrive in hybrid work environments, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. In a fast-paced, client-facing consulting setting, we needed an immersive and highly relevant program—and Maxme proved to be the perfect partner."

What challenges were you seeking to proactively mitigate through this Maxme human skills program? 

"As we emerged from the COVID-19 period, we recognised that many of our younger professionals had spent a significant part of their early careers working remotely. Unlike previous cohorts, they had fewer opportunities to develop essential interpersonal and leadership skills. While they possessed strong technical expertise, there were clear gaps in their ability to collaborate effectively, manage high-pressure situations, and engage confidently with senior stakeholders.

One of our key challenges was rebuilding connection and teamwork. Many of our junior consultants had limited experience in office environments, meaning they lacked the organic, face-to-face collaboration skills that are critical in a high-performance workplace. The fast-paced nature of consulting also demanded resilience, yet some of our younger team members struggled with managing stress, adapting to pressure, and receiving constructive feedback.

We also identified the need to strengthen their ability to communicate with influence. While technically proficient, many lacked the confidence to engage persuasively with senior clients, navigate difficult conversations, and articulate complex ideas clearly. Additionally, hybrid work remained an ongoing challenge, requiring our people to collaborate seamlessly and maintain presence in both virtual and in-person settings.

In partnership with Maxme, we set out to address these challenges by equipping our emerging consultants with the human skills they needed to thrive. Maxme’s approach focused on building self-awareness, fostering teamwork, and enhancing communication—ensuring our people could work effectively with clients, lead with impact, and drive stronger business outcomes."

How would you describe the human skills proficiency of your people before they started the Maxme program?

"Our consultants were highly skilled and technically proficient, but many needed to develop stronger human skills, particularly in communication, resilience, and leadership. While they worked well within structured teams, they sometimes found it challenging to navigate unstructured problem-solving, give and receive feedback, and build relationships across teams.

Stakeholder engagement was another area for growth, with some lacking confidence in leading conversations with senior clients. Hybrid work also presented challenges, as maintaining strong connections and effective communication in virtual settings required new skills.

To help our consultants thrive in high-pressure environments, we recognised the need for structured support in developing their interpersonal and leadership capabilities."