How Should Consultants Support 'Accidental Managers'?

A British Academy of Management (BAM) Management Consultancy Network coffee chat on 21 January 2026 investigated a phenomenon that many of us have witnessed, and perhaps even lived through; the rise of the "Accidental Manager". The discussion was sparked by recent research into how frequently technical excellence is mistaken for leadership potential. Whether in the civil service, a global sales team, or a high-stakes consultancy project, the consensus was clear: being the best at "doing" the job doesn't automatically mean you’re the best at "managing" the people who do it.  

Read a full summary of the discussion here.