Russell Raath

I’m Russell.  I’ve spent the past three decades working with leaders and management teams - helping them to challenge what’s getting in their way as they set (and go on to achieve) greater ambitions.

My “official” bio is full of the requisite self-aggrandizement and third person references to my accomplishments, but before I attempt to convince you that I am some great thought-leader and advisor on organizational performance, let me first tell you who I am.

I was born studying human behavior. As a child we moved - a lot. That meant different schools and neighborhoods and cultures - learning how (and why) people are the way they are.

I’ve been deported from a country, carjacked (twice!) and I’ve done something only 0.0000375% of the population has ever done - I’ve swum from Robben Island to Cape Town in cold water with sea creatures, in nothing but a speedo.  Oh and did I mention, I did it without training.

That brings me to the power of Ambition. 

Challenging what we think is “impossible” and being determined to go after it.

And after decades working with teams, I’m convinced that most teams significantly under-perform their potential.

Formally, I started my career in Africa working in gold mines, and then built a career in consulting in New York City.  I have been an executive in a major financial institution, co-owned and led a boutique consulting firm, and built my own business.  Currently I am the Operating Partner for Humatica, the world’s leading Organizational Performance consulting firm serving the Private Equity industry. I also own and run The Ambition Company as a resource for bold leaders and ambitious teams.