Being a Strategy Sherpa

Strategy is no longer something we can simply write down and forget. A winning strategy isn’t just built on slides; it’s brought to life through decisive action. Lengthy documents, rigid roadmaps, and distant advice are falling short. What we need now is something more hands-on, more human, and more responsive.

At Anthosa, we have experienced this shift firsthand. We have observed that traditional consultants often remain on the sidelines while leaders are left to climb steep hills alone. That model is no longer effective. What businesses need today is someone who walks alongside them through real-time challenges, helps bear the load, and adapts when things change. Someone who is committed for the long haul, not just for the presentation.

This is why we talk about being a Strategy Sherpa. It is not merely a fancy term; it signifies a new approach to working, conceptualising strategy, and serving your clients. Like the Sherpas who guide climbers up Mount Everest, Strategy Sherpas are partners who walk alongside you in your journey of change and transformation. They help clarify complexity, illuminate the path ahead, and support you when the terrain becomes challenging.

The Foundations of Turner’s Hierarchy and Its AI Disruption

In 1982, Arthur N. Turner wrote a piece in the Harvard Business Review that has become a cornerstone of consulting [HBR, 1982]. His article, “Consulting Is More Than Giving Advice,” introduced a simple yet powerful hierarchy that explains the different ways consultants add value. Even after four decades, many of Turner’s ideas remain relevant.

Turner said that consultants help in a few core ways. These include giving information, solving problems, making diagnoses, and offering recommendations. He also spoke about supporting implementation. These steps made up what we now see as the “traditional” purposes of consulting. But times are changing fast.

As the capabilities of artificial intelligence continue to grow rapidly, many traditional roles are being reshaped or replaced. Today, AI can gather information more quickly, identify problems through pattern recognition, and even propose solutions. What once required a human expert can now be accomplished in minutes with the appropriate tools. This shift doesn’t mean consulting is dead, far from it. It means that how we consult needs to evolve.

What AI cannot yet do well is build trust, teach teams to think strategically, or guide organisations through uncertain terrain. It cannot read the room, detect political undercurrents, or create a shared purpose across silos. That is where our role as Strategy Sherpas becomes essential.

Turner also highlighted some “higher-level” goals in consulting. These included helping clients build consensus, teaching them how to solve problems independently, and enhancing the organisation for the long term. These are the goals that AI can’t touch, not now, and maybe not for a long time.

As the lower levels of Turner’s hierarchy become automated, the higher levels are where our human edge shines. Helping leaders align their teams, shape decisions, and build enduring strategic habits is what matters most.

And it’s in this space where Strategy Sherpas truly thrive.

Who is a Strategy Sherpa

A Strategy Sherpa is not your typical consultant.

They do not simply come in, offer advice, and leave. Instead, they walk alongside you, becoming part of your journey. This is someone who guides your team through change, assisting you in moving from where you are to where you need to be. Think of them as your partner, not merely a planner.

Where many consultants remain detached from the daily realities of your business, a Strategy Sherpa immerses themselves in it. They are involved in your meetings, decisions, and challenges. They collaborate with your teams instead of working separately. They do not just provide insight. They bring energy, experience, and reliable support to share the burden with you.

In times of uncertainty, a Sherpa helps you see clearly. When circumstances change, they assist in shifting direction. They are there to recalibrate with you, adjust plans when necessary, and keep the team aligned and focused. They do not look at your business from a distance; they are right there, in the thick of it, helping you carry the weight.

Most importantly, a Strategy Sherpa earns trust by being consistent, present, and involved. They are more than just strategic minds; they are steady hands and clear voices when things get tough. This is how they become a real part of your transformation, not just a name on a report.

Why Strategy Sherpas Are Needed Now

Today’s business world moves faster than ever. Markets shift overnight. Technology changes the way we work. Teams grow across time zones. The pace of change can feel dizzying, even for the most experienced leaders. In times like these, having a clear strategy is not enough. What matters more is how quickly and wisely we adjust our strategy as things evolve.

This is why your organisation needs a Strategy Sherpa.

Unlike in the past, you cannot rely on fixed plans or static reports. Leaders today must act in real-time, often without a complete picture. The path forward is full of unknowns. New markets may emerge before the data is ready. A tech rollout might require a culture shift that no spreadsheet predicted. In these moments, you need someone who can walk beside you, not just advise from a distance.

Strategy Sherpas assist you in moving forward when the map is unclear. They collaborate with you to identify signals early, formulate essential questions, and guide your team with calmness and clarity. They do not provide a one-size-fits-all model. They help you create direction based on your purpose, your people, and your path.

In today’s world, success is not only about what we plan; it is also about how we adapt. Strategy Sherpas ensure you remain grounded in your purpose while staying open to new ways of reaching it. Their presence instils confidence to move forward, even when the road shifts beneath your feet.

How Strategy Sherpas Add Distinct Value

In today’s fast-changing environment, it’s no longer enough to plan and hope for the best. You need real support, right there with you, helping to shape and deliver strategy every step of the way. That’s where Strategy Sherpas come in. We don’t just give advice and leave; we stay engaged in the work with you. Here’s how we make a real difference.

Guidance Through Ambiguity

When the path ahead is unclear, it’s easy to freeze or make hasty decisions. Strategy Sherpas help you slow down and ask better questions. We uncover the hidden assumptions behind your goals and guide your thinking when the way forward is uncertain. This results in fewer surprises and more robust decisions from the outset.

Acceleration of Strategic Clarity

Achieving significant objectives is challenging without a shared understanding of what matters most to your people. Strategy Sherpas facilitate a common perspective across your teams. We provide practical tools, such as 30, 60, and 90-day action plans, strategic storylines, conceptualisation and abstraction, and visual roadmaps to promote alignment swiftly. Everyone understands their destination and the reasons behind it.

Reduction of Execution Risk

Strategies often fall apart not because they are flawed, but because details are overlooked. We identify gaps early. Whether it’s a missing resource, a weak handover, or a conflicting priority, we catch them. This helps you avoid costly delays or rework. It’s about keeping strategy practical and achievable.

Hands-on Involvement in Delivery

Unlike traditional consultants, we don’t exit after the presentation. We roll up our sleeves, facilitate key meetings, support decision-making, and help course-correct in real time. It’s not just advice; it’s presence, and presence makes a difference.

Human-centred Strategy

Strategy goes beyond mere planning; it encompasses the people involved, their feelings, collaboration, and daily engagement. We integrate emotional intelligence into our work, allowing us to nurture your team’s mindset, culture, and energy while advancing the strategy. This ensures that your change is not only well-planned but also well-lived.

Being a Strategy Sherpa is about more than knowledge. It’s about care, stamina, and action. We’re not on the sidelines. We’re in it with you. That’s the value we bring.

The Anthosa Evolution from Consultants to Strategy Sherpas

When we began our journey in 2018, we held a simple belief: strategy should not exist merely on paper or in lengthy presentations. It should be embodied in the daily actions of teams and leaders. This conviction influenced everything we undertook from the outset.

Over time, we noticed a shift in how we worked with our clients. We were not just building strategies; we were right there in the middle of their change efforts. We helped them adjust when things got tough, and we stayed when others might have left. We owned outcomes with them. That was the moment we realised something important: we were no longer just consultants; we were Sherpas.

This shift was not merely in name; it evolved into a fundamental aspect of our work. Today, every member of our team holds the title of Sherpa. This demonstrates our commitment to standing alongside our clients rather than across from them.

Our client work now revolves around co-execution. This means we do not simply hand over plans for clients to execute. We collaborate to bring those plans to life, adjusting as we go. We remain involved until the strategy delivers real results.

And our success? Slide decks and documents no longer measure it. We evaluate whether your strategy is gaining traction, whether your teams are making progress, and whether the change is enduring.

This is the core of our evolution. We transitioned from being on the outside to becoming part of your journey. From offering advice to walking alongside you every step of the way. That is what being a Strategy Sherpa means to us.

When to Bring in a Strategy Sherpa

There are moments in your business journey when clarity becomes obscured, stakes feel elevated, and the path ahead is anything but certain. These are the points where having a Strategy Sherpa by your side can make a significant difference.

New Markets or Business Models

If your organisation is entering unfamiliar territory or testing a bold new idea, you need more than a plan. You need someone who can sense patterns, identify early risks, and guide decisions as real-time conditions shift. A Strategy Sherpa helps your team stay aligned while maintaining a clear direction.

Leadership Transitions or Operating Model Shifts

Change at the top often comes with a new way of working. Whether you are redesigning teams, redefining priorities, or rolling out a fresh operating model, it can be easy to lose traction. Sherpas maintain the strategy while helping your people adapt to the new shape of leadership.

Digital Transformations and Cultural Reinvention

Digital transformation encompasses more than just systems; it affects mindsets, habits, and daily behaviours. Similarly, reshaping culture often takes time and requires a subtle approach. A Strategy Sherpa works closely with your team to ensure that the human aspect of change is not neglected.

Building Strategic Capacity From Within

Sometimes, your goal is not just to deliver a result but to build your team’s ability to achieve it independently. Sherpas embed learning loops and foster internal ownership, enabling your leaders and teams to build muscle memory rather than dependency.

In these situations, having a strategy alone is not sufficient; you need someone who can help you implement it, adjust it, and commit to it until it produces results. That is where a Strategy Sherpa truly earns their place.

Conclusion

Strategy is no longer just about having the perfect plan; it is about moving with purpose, learning quickly, and adapting as you go. In a world shaped by rapid change and AI, your organisation needs more than advice; you need someone who walks with you through the unknown.

A Strategy Sherpa helps you remain steady when things become unclear. They do not merely guide from the side; they actively engage, face the challenges alongside you, and adjust as necessary. They assist your team in staying focused on what truly matters while also allowing for change and growth.

At Anthosa, this is how we choose to show up. We are not just consultants; we are your partners in progress. We bring strategy to life by embodying it with you. Your success is our shared journey.