Helping Others to Be Great: Why Fadi Zeitoune Decided to Shake Up the Industry and Create Levant Consulting
Fadi Zeitoune had spent 15 years honing his change management skills at some of the world’s largest consulting firms. He’d achieved incredible outcomes for clients yet faced a critical crossroads: continue to work in the same top-tier environment or challenge himself, take ownership of his career, and empower others to do the same? Fadi took a leap of faith and created Levant, the boutique firm that’s changing the face of the consulting industry.
A people-first approach
When Fadi Zeitoune reflects on how much Levant Consulting has grown since its humble beginnings in 2012, he feels a deep sense of pride. The boutique firm has partnered with countless clients to solve their most complex and interesting challenges, expanded its services and locations, and disrupted the world of consulting for the better.
But for Fadi, perhaps the most meaningful measures of Levant’s success are our people and the immense value they bring to their clients, the business, and each other.
“This may sound a little corny, but I’ve actually counted how many families we support,” Fadi says. “At last count, we’ve had 13 or 14 kids born while people have been working here, and I think I’ve been invited to five or six weddings. So, when I think about how far Levant has come, I look at the individuals and their families. That personal side of it means a lot to me.”
Fadi’s motivation to create Levant Consulting was twofold: to offer clients the opportunity to work with the best and brightest in the industry and to design a vibrant, people-first environment he genuinely wanted to work in.
“I felt there was an opportunity in the market for clients that were more interested in engaging with a person than buying a brand. Clients who wanted to work with great, outcomes-focused people and were happy to go with a smaller firm to do that. That’s been our proposition to the market from the very beginning. On a personal level, I wanted to create an environment I loved working in every day, and I’m happy to say that’s been achieved. We’ve got a really supportive, fun team, and always have.”
Purpose and passion
Growing up in Sydney, Fadi developed a keen interest in social science. He decided to study psychology at university and had initially considered a career as a clinical psychologist. That was until the third year of his degree, when he discovered organisational psychology: the science of human behaviour in the workplace.
“I still wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do, so I went to a careers day at uni. I was really interested in travelling at the time, and learnt that travel was a big part of consulting. I think that’s what sold it for me!”
Over the next 15 years, Fadi worked with several top-tier consulting firms, helping organisations define and deliver their strategic and commercial plans. This included eight years in Asia before he moved to Melbourne to take on the role of Director at one of the “big four”.
“At that point in time, I was looking for something else. I thought about joining a smaller firm, but then the question became: ‘If I’m going to go to a boutique consultancy, why not create one myself?’
And so, in 2012, Fadi founded Levant Consulting. What began as a team of three has expanded to more than 20 consultants across Melbourne and Sydney. In growing the business, Fadi has taken the same pragmatic, sustainable and people-centred approach he takes with his clients. He’s a hands-on leader who remains “on the tools” with his own client work. He’s also passionate about ensuring everyone at Levant has the support they need to thrive.
“Personally, I get so much satisfaction out of helping someone grow their career. I firmly believe that Levant’s success relies just as much on our juniors as it does on myself and our directors.”
A bright future for an authentic team
As Principal, Fadi’s time is divided between his home in Melbourne and meeting with clients and team members interstate. He enjoys the travel but relishes the quality time he gets to spend with his wife, Cindy, and their daughter, Sophia. It also means he’s become somewhat of a FaceTime master, watching the odd TV show with Sophia over video call from his hotel room.
With another office set to open in Canberra, Levant has big growth on the horizon. Fadi looks forward to the challenges that brings, yet he’s determined for one thing to stay the same: our creative, curious and collaborative culture.
“We’ve got such a talented and caring bunch of people. Everyone is genuinely, fundamentally a good person. If someone needs support, people will step in and help. I’m confident that as we grow, we will continue to be the place I love to come to work every day.”