Clever Counsel #30 - Interview With Priya Bates
Over the next few weeks, I'm interviewing a handful of senior consultants I admire to capture their experiences and perspectives on the consulting journey.
For my first interview in the series, I want to spotlight Priya Bates, ABC, MC, SCMP, IABC Fellow. You'll find her insights below.
What made you say, “Screw it, I’m going out on my own”?
Becoming a consultant was always the dream. In my early days attending global IABC conferences, I would listen to icons like Shel Holtz, Steve Crescenzo, Angela Sinickas, and Carol Kinsey Goman—and I remember thinking, One day, I’ll be like them. While I climbed the corporate ladder, every step toward consulting somehow looped me back into bigger roles, better pay, and more responsibility.
The real turning point came when a reorg meant I’d soon be managing 50 people across two teams. I was already logging 60-80 hour weeks with two young daughters, a dog, a full-time nanny, and a husband was very supportive. I knew I could do the job—but I also knew it would cost me the moments that mattered most, so I raised my hand for the package, used the severance to reset, and finally took the leap. It wasn’t just a career move—it was a values-based decision to build a life on my terms.
How did you land your first high-paying client?
It didn’t happen overnight. A seasoned consultant once told me there’s a two-year hump you have to survive—and she was right. I was juggling burnout, family, volunteer commitments, and the fear of failure. To bring back my focus and discipline, I took a contract role with Canada’s largest nurses’ union during a year of intense change. I told myself it would give me insight into the union from the inside—and it did.
What changed everything was deciding that I wouldn't stay past 15 months, no matter how tempting the offers. While at the union, I kept my consulting practice alive behind the scenes. It was during that time that I landed my first high-paying client—one who saw my worth, came back repeatedly, and gave me the confidence to say: this is possible. That one win became the spark for the next chapter.
What’s one thing you did that changed the game for your growth?
Ironically, going back in-house was the wake-up call. It reminded me that as long as I kept one foot in and one foot out, I’d never fully commit to building my business.
The other game-changer? Embracing the virtual agency model. I began working with subcontractors who were brilliant at delivery but didn’t love the hustle of business development. It allowed me to scale, focus on strategy and relationship-building, and deliver consistently high-quality work. Clients often say they’re surprised that my team didn’t work for me full-time because of how well we worked together—and that’s the biggest compliment. Seamless collaboration is no accident; it’s the result of decades of people leadership and knowing how to build trust.
What’s a piece of conventional consulting advice you flat-out ignore?
“Don’t give anything away for free.” I get the logic—but for me, it depends.
I’ve grown a global network because I speak at conferences, mentor rising professionals, and show up for emerging markets and underserved communities. I don’t get paid to speak—but I do get paid back in reputation, relationships, and real opportunities. That generosity has led to long-term clients and full-circle moments—like the young Kenyan founder I mentored years ago, who recently reached out again for strategic paid support bringing me my first African client.
That said, I set clear boundaries and if you are an organization who should have the budget, I’ll give you a firm, “No!” I say yes when something feeds my soul, and no when it drains it. There’s space to give back—if you’re clear on your capacity and your worth.
When have you felt like going back to working for someone else — and why didn’t you?
The journey is never a straight line. There have been moments—like during COVID, or in today’s unsettling backlash against DEI—when I’ve asked, Am I still where I need to be?
But then I remember: I love the messy, meaningful work of transformational change. I love walking into different organizations, understanding their cultures, and helping leaders connect strategy with action. I’ve been in-house for 20 years and consulting for 10—and I’ve come to realize, I’m the design-and-build crew, not the maintenance crew.
My legacy isn’t just the work I do—it’s the people I lift. It’s about building the bench: equipping leaders and Internal Communication Professionals to be strategic, credible, and impactful. That’s what keeps me here. That’s why I stay.
Priya Bates is President of Inner Strength Communication Inc., an award-winning consultancy helping organizations build trust and drive results by engaging, enabling, and empowering their employees. With over 20 years of experience in strategic internal communication, Priya works with leaders in business, HR, and communication to turn strategy into action from the inside out.
🌐 Website
🎧 Podcast – A Leader Like Me
🔗 LinkedIn
📘 Book – Building a Culture of Inclusivity: Effective internal communication for diversity, equity and inclusion
Priya is also a valued member at CommsConsultants.com, and I want to sincerely thank her for sharing her insights for this edition of Clever Counsel.
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