How to become a sought-after interim consultant – for those who already have the skills

When companies top the team - and you should be the leader

Peter Haveneth has used interim consultants in several roles to drive through complex change journeys. According to him, it is not uncommon for companies to have three to five major change initiatives running in parallel - sometimes without full internal cohesion. In such situations, it is not a resource that is needed. It is an actor.

“I've always looked for consultants who can both help set the strategy - and step down into implementation. That shift is absolutely crucial.”

Being able to create structure where none exists, to raise your sights without losing momentum in everyday life, to go from plan to action without prestige - these are qualities Peter believes make a real difference. And which often determine who gets called in again.

Three ways to stay relevant in a growing market

Having delivered in the past is not enough. As an interim consultant, you build your brand in real time. Here are three strategies Joakim and Peter return to in the conversation - that can help you stay ahead of the game:

1. Let your network see you in motion

The personal network is still the main source of jobs. But just being “visible” in the flow is not enough. Participating in conversations, taking on temporary roles, running projects - acting rather than positioning yourself - is what builds trust over time.

2. refining your leadership - systematically

Stopping for reflection, skill shifts and perspective changes is not something you can “catch up on later”. To remain relevant in new industries, in unfamiliar cultures and in uncertain situations, continuous immersion is required. This applies to both hard tools and human skills.

“You need to be at the forefront. Understand how new technologies like AI affect business - even if it's not your primary area”

3. Be a change agent - even outside your role

The ability to influence beyond its formal mission, to be a support to the management team, a link between strategy and culture - this is what makes the difference in complex missions. The courage to act without full information. The drive to create movement, not just structure.

“I prefer consultants I can hold back, not push forward. Courage is not just a personality - it's a way of working.”

When experience needs to take on new dimensions

As an interim manager, your strength is often built on years of practical experience. You've led change, stepped into tight situations and delivered under pressure. But as assignments become more complex, and expectations shift from execution to impact - what you already know is rarely enough.

You need tools to anchor your intuition in structure. Perspectives that allow you to navigate new industries without losing your footing. And perhaps above all - collegial conversations with others who know what it feels like to step in where the action is, build trust quickly, and still stay on track.

It is at this intersection that Interim Search and the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg have developed the Interim Management Professional Program. Sweden's first academic program in Interim Management.

That's why learning and community have become cornerstones of the program

In an industry where every assignment is unique, every context new, and every organization marked by its own contradictions - peer learning becomes one of the few real reassurances. That's why the Interim Management Professional Program is built for experienced interim managers who want to deepen their leadership together with others at the same level.

“Being able to link your experience to models, structures and perspectives makes you more secure in assignments where you may not be an expert in the particular industry. That's what creates security - for both the consultant and the client,” says Peter.

The program doesn't just build skills. It creates a community where participants continue to challenge, advise and support each other long after the last day of the course. A network where you are not only a supplier, but sometimes also a customer, sounding board and co-creator.

Next steps - for those who want more

If you are already leading and delivering, you know that development does not happen by itself. The next round of the Interim Management Professional Program will be held in Stockholm on 8-12 September. For more information about the program and to apply for the next course, please visit GU Executive Education.