The Mindset of a Management Consultant with Martin Saunders

CEO & management consultant Martin Saunders (VA Consultants) on leading under pressure, navigating life with ADHD, and the reframes that helped him survive—and thrive—as a leader, facilitator and coach.

In this episode, Paul Corke is joined by Martin Saunders—Director & CEO at VA Consultants. With deep experience growing people, teams and businesses, Martin is an engaging, influential management consultant, facilitator and coach who excels in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. A father of four, occasional drummer and runner, Martin brings a candid perspective on mindset, focus and energy management—including how he manages life with ADHD and turns challenges into strengths.

We unpack the consultant’s mindset: clarity under pressure, problem framing, client empathy and disciplined follow-through. Martin shares the personal reframes and practical habits that helped him progress from setbacks to successful CEO—and how those tools translate for any leader.

You’ll hear:

• How ADHD can be a leadership advantage (pattern spotting, creativity, urgency)—and how Martin mitigates the downsides

• Consulting in chaos: frame → focus → first move when everything’s urgent

• Energy & attention systems: time-boxing, body doubles, externalised checklists, recovery rituals

• Coaching clients through resistance: contracts, consequences, and small certain wins

• How this maps to Paul’s Mindset Equation (Aspiration, Belief, Drive/Motivation, EQ, Resilience, Learning Agility)

Try this (Focus Under Pressure — 12 minutes):

1. Frame (2 min): Write the outcome in one sentence: “Success = ____ by ____.”

2. Triage (3 min): List 3 levers only (kill, keep, kick off).

3. Time-box (5 min): Start a 10–15 min sprint on the highest-leverage task—timer on, notifications off.

4. Close (2 min): Capture 1 learning + the next smallest step (schedule it).

A practical, honest conversation about leading when life is full—using mindset, structure and small brave moves to deliver when it counts.