The social sector is rooted in optimism, and we share this optimism. We have confidence in the people who are leading charities and social enterprises. We show appreciation and respect, starting from where each organisation currently is, listening, taking a strengths-based approach, and thinking positively about future possibilities for our clients. We offer challenge professionally and constructively but our clients always feel that we’re on their side, and that we care as much as they do for what they are trying to achieve.

We engage with everyone in a spirit of generosity. In all our interactions we want everyone to feel better off, regardless of any financial transaction. We give before getting. We offer to give clients some free time or something of value first, and we may also give some extra time at the end – to go the extra mile, to make sure that the job is not just delivered but delivered well.

We are a community of professionals with a ‘contract of collaboration’ at its heart. We also partner with organisations across the wider social sector including infrastructure bodies, federations and networks, funders and investors, and policymakers, because we recognise that we are just one part of the ecosystem.

Every client is different, and we are led by what will work in their context. We seek to understand what the client really needs us to do to deliver a positive outcome in the real world. We care about the long-term outcome of our work and its impact on beneficiaries. We are practical and evidence-based. We are concerned with the nitty-gritty of implementation and face up to challenges within our client that could stand in the way of progress. We seek workable solutions – because what works, lasts.

Learning is intrinsic to change. Our quest for learning is focused on understanding what makes change stick. We heed the evidence base for how organisations can effectively and sustainably change, and we work with clients and our people to understand how our work can have a lasting impact on beneficiaries. We seek colleagues who care about their own development, have the humility to be aware of what they don’t know, and who are willing to support the learning of the community.