Redefining Remote: How ghSMART Built a Culture of Flexibility and Impact

When most people think about remote work, they think of the shift that happened in 2020. Offices closed, companies scrambled to reimagine collaboration, and professionals learned how to work from home. ghSMART, however, has been fully remote since its founding in 1995 – building systems, processes, and a culture that maximizes both consultant effectiveness and client impact – long before remote work became mainstream.

No offices. No commuting. No “return to office” debates. For three decades, we’ve refined a culture where consultants design careers around their lives, not the other way around, while advising the world’s most influential leaders and organizations.

This is more than remote work – it’s a blueprint for a more meaningful career. At ghSMART, you’ll collaborate with brilliant, values-driven colleagues, tackle complex problems, and grow in ways that reflect your ambitions – all within a culture rooted in deep impact, long-term growth, and shared success.

A Different Kind of Consulting Career

ghSMART isn’t a starting point – it’s where proven consultants from top-tier firms take their careers further. If you’ve already excelled in a high-caliber environment and are ready for something different, this is your opportunity to make meaningful impact at the highest levels, supported by exceptional colleagues and mentors.

Our consultants partner with the world’s top leaders on high-stakes challenges – from CEO succession decisions and board effectiveness to leadership team alignment, culture transformation, and developing high-potential executives who drive exceptional value. The work is engaging, intellectually stimulating, and deeply rewarding.

What sets ghSMART apart is the belief that great consulting careers can be both high-impact and sustainable. Our model empowers you to grow in ways that reflect your ambitions, thrive professionally and personally, and shape a career with purpose.

Work Anywhere, Thrive Fully: At ghSMART, you’re not tied to an office. You have the freedom to structure your work around your life, live where you choose, and pursue growth on your terms. Supported by a collaborative culture and meaningful client work, you’ll become the best version of yourself.

In the words of one consultant: “Being at ghSMART lets you work on the most challenging, consequential problems for leading organizations while still having a life outside work. You can grow your skills, make a real difference, and build meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients – all without the unnecessary bureaucracy that slows things down at other firms.”

Freedom Paired with Accountability

Life is short, and a career at ghSMART empowers you with the flexibility to thrive – becoming the best version of yourself, at work and at home.

Shaping Your Path: At ghSMART, there's no single track or timeline. Consultants have the flexibility to shape careers that reflect their aspirations and lives - whether that means accelerating quickly or balancing growth with other priorities. For those who want to pursue the partner path, there's clear structure and strong support. For others, there's room to define success differently, whether by deepening expertise in topics that inspire you or contributing in ways that strengthen the firm and create lasting impact. Whatever your vision for success looks like, we’re committed to helping you reach those goals on your terms.

Empowered to Grow: Growth here is both self-directed and supported - rooted in apprenticeship, mentorship, coaching and continuous learning. With guidance from colleagues and tools aligned to our proven approach, consultants are equipped to guide their own development and build careers that align with their goals, values, and lives.

Compensation: With a baseline in place, consultants earn commission for every additional project they deliver. In other words, earnings are directly tied to the workload you decide to take on – giving consultants the flexibility to dial their careers up or down.

This combination of autonomy and accountability creates an environment where consultants can thrive without the layers of bureaucracy that often define traditional firms.

Why Remote Works Here

Remote work has defined ghSMART since day one, but what makes it thrive is the people behind it – colleagues who genuinely care about each other and our clients. Collaboration happens naturally, whether through a quick Teams ping or an impromptu call, creating an open-door environment even across time zones. Consultants spend significant time engaging with clients, so remote work feels energizing rather than isolating. This balance of flexibility and connection is what makes our model sustainable and rewarding.

What makes this model work comes down to a few simple things:

People-centric colleagues: We hire people who are focused on others and genuinely interested in building relationships – with teammates and clients alike.

Open-door environment: No need to schedule formal meetings for quick input. Calls and Teams chats happen organically, making collaboration effortless.

Client engagement: Our work is deeply interactive, so remote doesn’t mean isolated. We spend time with clients in meaningful conversations that drive impact.

Intentional collaboration: Meetings happen for a reason, not by default. Every interaction has purpose.

Trust and transparency: Clear expectations and open communication are the foundation of our culture.

Life outside of work: Flexibility means consultants can take real vacations, enjoy family time, and still deliver at the highest level.

This isn’t about trading ambition for balance. It’s about proving that you can have both – a career that makes meaningful impact and a life you actually have time to enjoy.

A Day in the Life of a ghSMART Consultant

The day starts early with a quick breakfast and dropping the kids off at school – a moment to connect before diving into work. By mid-morning, you’re on a call with the CEO of a non-profit, helping weigh the tradeoffs between two candidates for a critical c-suite role.

Next up? A coaching session with a Fortune 100 CFO who wants your input on shaping an upcoming team offsite. After that, you join a peer review with a ghSMART partner to discuss CEO succession for a private equity portfolio company – collaboration at its best.

Around lunchtime, you pause to grab a bite and swing by school to drop off a forgotten science project – a quick breather to refocus before jumping back into work. Later in the afternoon, you mentor a new consultant, sharing advice on delivering feedback to an executive with confidence and empathy. Before wrapping up, you join an internal training session on ghSMART’s SHAPE Index research, exploring what successful leadership looks like in the age of AI.

And then? You’re back on the sidelines coaching your kid’s soccer practice, showing that balance isn’t just possible – it’s part of the culture. At ghSMART, the work is high-impact, but so is the time you spend on what matters most – whether that’s family, friends, personal passions, or simply recharging.

Who Thrives in the ghSMART Model

Our model isn’t for everyone. It’s not for people looking for a 9-to-5 structure or for those just starting their consulting careers. It’s for experienced professionals who want more control over how, when, and where they work – and who are excited by the responsibility that comes with that freedom.

If you’re someone who:

Values autonomy and self-direction,

Wants to make meaningful impact without unnecessary bureaucracy, and

Believes your career should fit alongside your life, not compete with it…

…then you’ll find that ghSMART is a place where you can do your best work and build the life you want at the same time.

Those who thrive in this model take ownership of their work – setting priorities, managing their schedules with the support of an executive business partner, and driving projects forward without constant oversight. They value purposeful collaboration, engaging in meetings and communication only when it adds real value. At the same time, they balance ambition with flexibility, pushing for high-impact results while maintaining the freedom and balance that the model makes possible.

Remote Work, Built In

At ghSMART, remote work is in our DNA. This approach allows consultants to focus on what matters most: delivering lasting client impact, collaborating with colleagues in meaningful ways, and creating a career and life that align with their personal values.

For consultants ready to take ownership of their work, shape their careers, and make significant impact for top-tier organizations, ghSMART offers a model where high achievement and work-life balance coexist seamlessly.

To learn more about opportunities and what a career at ghSMART can look like, explore our careers page here.