Engaging with Michael Rustom is a thought-provoking experience that blends deep multi-track thinking and an exploration of diverse intellectual realms. “There is wisdom in many fields of study, and I bring those insights to my work,” he reflects. “History, philosophy—even theology—are full of valuable lessons that guide my professional life.”
A seasoned corporate sales executive turned private business and technology consultant, Michael takes me on a rainy-day walk through his Toronto neighborhood, where his firm, Michael Rustom Inc., is based. “When I was at university, I took a range of history and religion courses. I was captivated by them right away. They opened my mind and taught me to find connections between seemingly unrelated ideas,” he shares. “My hunger for learning hasn’t waned. I still read a lot of literature, history books, and religious texts to spark inspiration when faced with business challenges.”
As we walk through the rain-soaked streets, Michael Rustom Toronto explains how his eclectic academic interests have shaped his consulting practice. “Philosophy taught me the value of critical thinking,” he begins. “It’s not enough to accept things at face value. You must ask deeper questions to understand the root causes of an issue. This approach is fundamental in consulting. For instance, I once worked with a company facing declining sales. Instead of immediately recommending a new marketing strategy, I looked at the company’s core values. I discovered that their internal culture had drifted far from their original principles. Addressing this cultural shift transformed their sales performance.”
He gestures to a nearby café, where he used to sip espresso while laying the groundwork for his consulting firm. “I spent a lot of time reading history in that big, green chair by the window. History has a way of repeating itself. The challenges companies face often mirror events in the past. When a client encounters a crisis, I look for historical parallels. It helps me gain a fresh perspective. Once, when a client struggled to integrate new technology into their systems, I thought about how the Industrial Revolution introduced mechanical innovations into artisanal industries. By studying how businesses adapted to these major shifts, I was able to guide my client through a challenging technological transition.”
Michael’s worldview is also heavily influenced by religious thought. “Religious teachings emphasize values like patience, integrity, and compassion,” he explains. “These aren’t just ethical ideals—they’re practical tools that can be applied in business. I recall a project where a client’s team struggled with dynamics. Drawing from religious principles on leadership and empathy, we developed strategies to improve trust and collaboration within the team.”
As we pass a local bookstore, Michael points out a display of classic literature. “Literature is a goldmine of human experience and wisdom,” he remarks. “The characters and stories in the classics provide profound insights into human nature. For example, Shakespeare’s plays explore ambition, power, and morality. Understanding these themes helps me better grasp my clients’ motivations and the dynamics within their organizations. But not every company is a tragic Shakespearean drama—some are more like Gatsby’s extravagant parties,” he laughs, “and some are much closer to Scrooge & Marley than they would care to admit.”
As we circle back toward his office, the rain begins to ease, and the sun breaks through the clouds. “The key is looking beyond the obvious and identifying deeper connections,” he says. “By integrating philosophy, history, and theology into my approach, I can address problems from multiple angles, creating solutions that get to the heart of the matter.”
As our walk concludes, it’s clear that Michael Rustom Toronto multidisciplinary perspective has played a major role in the growth of his consulting firm, as evidenced by his expanding client base and growing reputation. His ability to draw on diverse fields of study and translate those ideas into actionable business solutions is a testament to the value of a well-rounded worldview in today’s results-driven corporate world.
Michael Rustom: A Business and Tech Consultant Shaped by a Multidimensional Perspective
Engaging with Michael Rustom is an exercise in multi-faceted thinking. “Wisdom can be drawn from a wide range of fields, and I apply those insights to my work,” he reflects. “History, philosophy, and even theology offer valuable lessons that help me navigate my professional life.”
A seasoned corporate sales executive who transitioned into a private business and technology consultant, Michael shares his thoughts with me as we take a walk on a rainy day through the Toronto neighborhood where his consulting firm, Michael Rustom Toronto Inc., is located. “In university, I found myself drawn to history and religion. They captured my attention immediately and, in many ways, opened up my mind to seeing connections between seemingly unrelated ideas,” he says. “Even after school, my desire for learning never faded. I still read literature, history, and religious texts to inspire solutions for business challenges.”
As we walk through the rain-dappled streets, Michael explains how his diverse academic interests shaped his consulting approach. “One of the greatest lessons I took from philosophy is the importance of critical thinking,” he notes. “It’s not enough to simply accept things at face value. You need to understand the underlying reasons for situations. In consulting, this means digging deep to find the root causes of issues rather than just addressing surface problems. For example, in a recent project with a client experiencing declining sales, I didn’t rush to suggest a marketing overhaul. Instead, I examined their core values. I discovered their internal culture had shifted significantly from their original mission. Once that was addressed, their sales improved dramatically.”
He gestures toward a café where he often sat reading history books while planning the early stages of his consulting business. “I spent countless hours reading in that green chair by the window. History reveals patterns, and I often find that the challenges faced by companies are echoes of historical events. When clients face crises, I draw parallels with historical situations. For instance, when a client struggled to integrate new technology into their existing systems, I was reminded of the Industrial Revolution. At that time, industries had to adapt to the introduction of mechanical tools that were initially considered disruptive. By studying how businesses successfully navigated those changes, I developed a strategy to help my client through a similar technological transition.”
Michael’s worldview is also informed by religious thought. “Religious teachings often focus on values like patience, integrity, and compassion,” he explains. “These aren’t just ideals—they’re practical tools that can be applied in business. I recall a time when a client was struggling with team dynamics. We turned to principles of leadership and empathy found in various religious traditions, which helped us develop strategies that improved trust and collaboration within the team.”
As we walk past a local bookstore, Michael Rustom Toronto points to a display of classic literature. “Literature, too, is a treasure trove of human wisdom,” he says. “The great works of fiction offer deep insights into human behavior. Take Shakespeare’s plays—they explore themes of ambition, power, and morality. Understanding these themes helps me understand the motivations behind my clients’ actions and the dynamics within their companies. Of course, not every business is a Shakespearean tragedy,” he grins, “some resemble Gatsby’s extravagant parties. And, of course, there are some that feel more like Scrooge & Marley than they’d like to admit.”
As we approach his office, the rain begins to let up, and the sun peeks through the clouds. “It’s about seeing beyond the obvious and recognizing deeper connections,” he reflects. “By incorporating philosophy, history, and theology into my approach, I can look at problems from multiple angles and find solutions that get to the core of the issue.”
Our walk comes to an end, and it’s clear that Michael Rustom’s broad worldview has played a significant role in the success of his consulting firm, as seen in his expanding client base and growing reputation. His ability to draw upon diverse fields of study and turn those insights into practical business solutions is a testament to the value of a well-rounded perspective—especially in today’s fast-paced, results-driven business environment.
