Where Strategy Meets
Human Ingenuity

Where Strategy Meets
Human Ingenuity

Where Strategy Meets
Human Ingenuity

Where Strategy Meets
Human Ingenuity

The Human Factor is a courage-led group of strategists,
experimenters, mediators, & negotiators.

The Human Factor is a courage-led group of strategists, experimenters, mediators, & negotiators.

Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy

As consultants with experience across industries, we've seen millions of dollars change hands without generating momentum behind initiatives or towards a better future. Why don't we see more effective change? We believe that for every effort, there's also resistance—conflicting goals, counterproductive incentive structures, and stakeholder concerns that we didn't foresee. Often, these 'human factors' block change and hinder innovation—to the point that the majority of efforts fail: 

  • Opposing views and resistance to change blur the way forward.

  • Decisions are signed off on paper but never acted upon. 

  • Policies create loopholes or counterproductive incentive structures.

  • Power dynamics and unmet needs impede follow-through.

This is why we do the hard work of finding, representing, and understanding the needs, perspectives, and points of resistance among the stakeholders in our systems. Bringing the right people to the table not only facilitates coalition-building and mitigates risk, it also harnesses the collective knowledge within your stakeholder system for the most effective and innovative outcomes.

Our Philosophy

As consultants with experience across industries, we've seen millions of dollars change hands without generating momentum behind initiatives or towards a better future. Why don't we see more effective change? We believe that for every effort, there's also resistance—conflicting goals, counterproductive incentive structures, and stakeholder concerns that we didn't foresee. Often, these 'human factors' block change and hinder innovation - to the point that the majority of efforts fail: 

  • Opposing views and resistance to
    change blur the way forward.

  • Decisions are signed off on paper but
    never acted upon. 

  • Policies create loopholes or
    counterproductive incentive structures.

  • Power dynamics and unmet needs
    impede follow-through.

This is why we do the hard work of finding, representing, and understanding the needs, perspectives, and points of resistance among the stakeholders in our systems. Bringing the right people to the table not only facilitates coalition-building and mitigates risk, it also harnesses the collective knowledge within your stakeholder system for the most effective and innovative outcomes.

Our Philosophy

As consultants with experience across industries, we've seen millions of dollars change hands without generating momentum behind initiatives or towards a better future. Why don't we see more effective change? We believe that for every effort, there's also resistance—conflicting goals, counterproductive incentive structures, and stakeholder concerns that we didn't foresee. Often, these 'human factors' block change and hinder innovation—to the point that the majority of efforts fail: 

  • Opposing views and resistance to change blur the way forward.

  • Decisions are signed off on paper but never acted upon. 

  • Policies create loopholes or counterproductive incentive structures.

  • Power dynamics and unmet needs impede follow-through.

This is why we do the hard work of finding, representing, and understanding the needs, perspectives, and points of resistance among the stakeholders in our systems. Bringing the right people to the table not only facilitates coalition-building and mitigates risk, it also harnesses the collective knowledge within your stakeholder system for the most effective and innovative outcomes.

Why Focus on
Stakeholders?

Why Focus on
Stakeholders?

Why Focus on
Stakeholders?

Why Focus on
Stakeholders?

Similar to the ‘red team’ concept used in security and cyber security (contracted attempts to exploit security vulnerabilities for the purpose of strengthening a system), we propose focused co-creation sessions with customized design methods, a diverse panel of experts, and structured adversarial thinking methods to identify and propose solutions to latent policy and program vulnerabilities. When it comes to addressing complex, ‘wicked’ challenges such as corruption, multidisciplinary teams are found to be superior in generating solutions. However, innovative methodologies are required; these teams struggle to establish common methods and often face more conflict. 

Similar to the ‘red team’ concept used in security and cyber security (contracted attempts to exploit security vulnerabilities for the purpose of strengthening a system), we propose focused co-creation sessions with customized design methods, a diverse panel of experts, and structured adversarial thinking methods to identify and propose solutions to latent policy and program vulnerabilities. When it comes to addressing complex, ‘wicked’ challenges such as corruption, multidisciplinary teams are found to be superior in generating solutions. However, innovative methodologies are required; these teams struggle to establish common methods and often face more conflict. 

Similar to the ‘red team’ concept used in security and cyber security (contracted attempts to exploit security vulnerabilities for the purpose of strengthening a system), we propose focused co-creation sessions with customized design methods, a diverse panel of experts, and structured adversarial thinking methods to identify and propose solutions to latent policy and program vulnerabilities. When it comes to addressing complex, ‘wicked’ challenges such as corruption, multidisciplinary teams are found to be superior in generating solutions. However, innovative methodologies are required; these teams struggle to establish common methods and often face more conflict. 

Our Values

Our Values

Our Values

Our Values

The commitments that inform our choices - internally and with our clients.

The commitments that inform our choices - internally and with our clients.

Relentlessly Human First

Relentlessly Human First

We believe human ingenuity and empathy is the most potent combination there is. Understanding and investing in our people and those involved in our projects isn’t just part of our values, it’s good business.

We believe human ingenuity and empathy is the most potent combination there is. Understanding and investing in our people and those involved in our projects isn’t just part of our values, it’s good business.

Guided by Experience,
Committed to Curiosity

Guided by Experience,
Committed to Curiosity

Guided by Experience,
Committed to Curiosity

Guided by Experience,
Committed to Curiosity

We are committed to continuously learning and growing our expertise. We implement practices that are consistently relevant and offer the best chance of the biggest impact, and we iterate to improve our methods, mindsets, and tools with every round.

We are committed to continuously learning and growing our expertise. We implement practices that are consistently relevant and offer the best chance of the biggest impact, and we iterate to improve our methods, mindsets, and tools with every round.

Accountable Changemakers

Accountable Changemakers

Accountable Changemakers

Accountable Changemakers

We believe that tools are neutral—what matters is how you use them. We commit to entering complex systems with the utmost respect for the people and communities involved, by using what we learn to do good. We denounce tactics motivated by the suppression of another’s ability to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

We believe that tools are neutral—what matters is how you use them. We commit to entering complex systems with the utmost respect for the people and communities involved, by using what we learn to do good. We denounce tactics motivated by the suppression of another’s ability to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Comfortable with
‘Imperfect Progress’

Comfortable with
‘Imperfect Progress’

Comfortable with
‘Imperfect Progress’

Comfortable with
‘Imperfect Progress’

Change is hard and never perfect. Rather than waiting for ‘perfect’ (and maintaining the status quo), we pursue steps in the right direction. We are committed to our values and we are willing to start the conversation on tough challenges in a global world, without assumed vilification of any stakeholder.

Change is hard and never perfect. Rather than waiting for ‘perfect’ (and maintaining the status quo), we pursue steps in the right direction. We are committed to our values and we are willing to start the conversation on tough challenges in a global world, without assumed vilification of any stakeholder.

Our People

Our People

Our People

Our People

Meet our team: Catalysts of change, experts in stakeholder engagements.

Meet our team: Catalysts of change, experts in stakeholder engagements.

Rachel Moore Best

Rachel is the managing partner for The Human Factor and a lecturer on negotiation and power dynamics at MIT. As a career strategist, Rachel’s expertise includes navigating complex ecosystems where unintended consequences have real impact on those involved. Leveraging her expertise in behavioral science, Rachel provides organizations with dynamic support to tackle tough challenges, resolve conflicts, and build sustainable, effective teams.

Kathleen Bond

Kathleen is a partner and senior strategist at The Human Factor. With experience in human-centered innovation research and design, Kathleen looks at problems from a human lens and approaches her work through the tension between what humans need and how organizations can practically deliver with intention and integrity.

Isabel Cordón

Isabel, a strategist at The Human Factor, infuses our projects with a unique perspective drawn from her expertise in international affairs and community development, where she gained understanding of how global and local dynamics interact and are necessary for growth. In her work, Isabel harbors a particular passion for systems thinking and sustainability.

Céline Pahl

Céline serves as the chief of staff at The Human Factor. With experience in organizational strategy planning and project management, Céline brings the same research-driven rigor and human-first approach to our internal processes as we do for our clients, creating systems that sustain lasting impact for our clients.

Céline Pahl

Céline serves as the chief of staff at The Human Factor. With experience in organizational strategy planning and project management, Céline brings the same research-driven rigor and human-first approach to our internal processes as we do for our clients, creating systems that sustain lasting impact for our clients.

Claudia Sachs

Claudia is a junior strategist at The Human Factor. She specializes in human-centered design and research and is passionate about leveraging her skills for social impact and international development. Claudia strongly believes that design and stakeholder collaboration have the potential to transform systems and have a positive impact on communities.

Isabel Cordón

Isabel, a strategist at The Human Factor, infuses our projects with a unique perspective drawn from her expertise in international affairs and community development, where she gained understanding of how global and local dynamics interact and are necessary for growth. In her work, Isabel harbors a particular passion for systems thinking and sustainability.

Kathleen Bond

Kathleen is a partner and senior strategist at The Human Factor. With experience in human-centered innovation research and design, Kathleen looks at problems from a human lens and approaches her work through the tension between what humans need and how organizations can practically deliver with intention and integrity.

Rachel Moore Best

Rachel is the managing partner for The Human Factor and a lecturer on negotiation and power dynamics at MIT. As a career strategist, Rachel’s expertise includes navigating complex ecosystems where unintended consequences have real impact on those involved. Leveraging her expertise in behavioral science, Rachel provides organizations with dynamic support to tackle tough challenges, resolve conflicts, and build sustainable, effective teams.

  • Rachel Moore Best

    Rachel is the managing partner for The Human Factor and a lecturer on negotiation and power dynamics at MIT. As a career strategist, Rachel’s expertise includes navigating complex ecosystems where unintended consequences have real impact on those involved. Leveraging her expertise in behavioral science, Rachel provides organizations with dynamic support to tackle tough challenges, resolve conflicts, and build sustainable, effective teams.

  • Kathleen Bond

    Kathleen is a partner and senior strategist at The Human Factor. With experience in human-centered innovation research and design, Kathleen looks at problems from a human lens and approaches her work through the tension between what humans need and how organizations can practically deliver with intention and integrity.

  • Isabel Cordón

    Isabel, a strategist at The Human Factor, infuses our projects with a unique perspective drawn from her expertise in international affairs and community development, where she gained understanding of how global and local dynamics interact and are necessary for growth. In her work, Isabel harbors a particular passion for systems thinking and sustainability.

  • Céline Pahl

    Céline serves as the chief of staff at The Human Factor. With experience in organizational strategy planning and project management, Céline brings the same research-driven rigor and human-first approach to our internal processes as we do for our clients, creating systems that sustain lasting impact for our clients.

Careers

Careers

Careers

Careers

Explore what being part of our team looks like.

Explore what being part of our team looks like.

Schedule a Call

Click here to schedule a 15-minute no-strings-attached call to discuss your organization's unique questions, opportunities, and expectations.

Book a Call

© 2024 The Human Factor Consultancy LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Schedule a Call

Click here to schedule a 15-minute no-strings-attached call to discuss your organization's unique questions, opportunities, and expectations.

Book a Call

© 2024 The Human Factor Consultancy LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Schedule a Call

Click here to schedule a 15-minute no-strings-attached call to discuss your organization's unique questions, opportunities, and expectations.

Book a Call

© 2024 The Human Factor Consultancy LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Schedule a Call

Click here to schedule a 15-minute no-strings-attached call to discuss your organization's unique questions, opportunities, and expectations.

Book a Call

© 2024 The Human Factor Consultancy LLC. All Rights Reserved.