Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art is all about overcoming Resistance, the invisible force that stops us from doing meaningful work. If you’re a management consultant, you’ve likely encountered Resistance in many forms—procrastination, imposter syndrome, analysis paralysis, or the endless refinement of reports instead of delivering them.
Pressfield’s insights apply directly to consulting, and understanding them can help you push through obstacles and perform at your best.
1. Resistance is the Enemy of Every Management Consultant
Pressfield defines Resistance as the force that stops us from doing our most important work. In consulting, Resistance appears when:
- You delay writing a report because it’s “not quite perfect.”
- You overanalyse findings instead of making a firm recommendation.
- You avoid difficult conversations with clients because you’re unsure how they’ll react.
- You spend too much time on secondary tasks (like formatting slides) instead of delivering insights.
Resistance isn’t just a lack of time—it’s a psychological battle that every consultant faces.
2. Resistance Takes Many Forms in Consulting
Pressfield warns that Resistance disguises itself as rational excuses. In management consulting, it can show up as:
- Perfectionism: “I can’t send this report yet—it needs more data.”
- Imposter Syndrome: “What if the client realizes I don’t know everything?”
- Endless Research: “Just one more case study before I finalize my recommendations.”
- Scope Creep: “I’ll add a few more sections to this report to cover every possible angle.”
The harsh truth? Resistance is strongest when you’re about to do something that truly matters.
3. The Professional vs. The Amateur Consultant
One of The War of Art’s most powerful lessons is the difference between an amateur and a professional mindset.
- Amateurs delay action until they feel ready. If they aren’t 100% confident, they hesitate.
- Professionals make decisions with the best available data and move forward. They recognize that certainty is a luxury.
Pressfield argues that professionals don’t wait for perfect conditions—they create clarity through action. If you hesitate every time a report, meeting, or recommendation feels imperfect, Resistance wins. But if you step up and deliver, you build momentum.
4. “Turning Pro” as a Management Consultant
Pressfield’s concept of Turning Pro is a mental shift: you stop waiting for perfect information and start acting like a seasoned professional. In consulting, this means:
- Make Decisions Faster – There will never be 100% certainty. Professionals trust their experience and judgment.
- Deliver, Don’t Dwell – A report that’s 90% complete but on time is more valuable than one that’s 100% perfect but late.
- Embrace Difficult Conversations – Clients value clarity, even when the message is tough to deliver.
- Own Your Expertise – Even if you don’t have all the answers, you’re hired for your ability to synthesize, strategize, and advise.
5. Inspiration Comes After Action, Not Before
Many consultants wait for the “right moment” before they finalize their work. But The War of Art teaches that action comes first, then inspiration follows.
- Start writing the report before you feel fully ready.
- Begin structuring your presentation even if your ideas aren’t crystal clear yet.
- Engage in client discussions even if you don’t have all the answers upfront.
Pressfield compares this to summoning the Muse—if you do the work, clarity and insights will follow. But you have to start.
6. The Higher Forces of Management Consulting
Pressfield talks about territory vs. hierarchy thinking—are you consulting for external validation (impressing clients, winning contracts), or for internal mastery (doing great work because you take pride in it)?
- Hierarchy Thinking: “I need to prove my value in every meeting.”
- Territory Thinking: “I focus on delivering insights that truly make an impact.”
If you focus on the process rather than worrying about how you’re perceived, you’ll enjoy consulting more—and ironically, become more effective.
7. Resistance Never Goes Away—But You Can Win
Even top consultants face Resistance. The difference is, they’ve learned to work through it.
- Resistance will always tell you that your insights aren’t good enough.
- Resistance will always make you doubt your conclusions.
- Resistance will always push you to tweak a report instead of sending it.
The trick is recognising Resistance when it appears and pushing through. The only way to fail is to stop delivering.
Final Takeaway: Just Do the Work
If The War of Art teaches one lesson, it’s this: do the work. Start writing, start presenting, start advising—don’t overthink it. If you show up consistently, Resistance loses, and your impact grows.
Follow-Up Questions for You:
- What form of Resistance hits you hardest in your consulting work?
- How could adopting a “professional” mindset improve your decision-making?
- What’s one small action you could take today to push through Resistance?
