How We Engage
Engagement Posture
Istawra engages selectively with senior institutional leaders who possess a clear mandate and the authority to execute it. Our posture is that of a confidential advisor, not a public consultant. We require seriousness of intent and clarity of purpose as foundational prerequisites for any engagement. We do not participate in speculative discussions or competitive procurement processes.
Conditions for Engagement
Istawra accepts engagements only when specific institutional conditions are met. These are not preferences; they are requirements for effective collaboration and are assessed prior to the initiation of any formal work.
Clear Institutional Mandate
The institution must have a defined strategic objective that requires independent, high-level counsel. The mandate must be explicit and acknowledged by the sponsoring leadership.
Defined Decision Authority
The leadership engaging Istawra must possess the unambiguous authority to make and implement the decisions under consideration. We engage directly with the locus of decision-making power.
Commitment to Implementation
The institution must demonstrate a credible commitment to executing the outcomes of the advisory process. Our work is oriented toward tangible institutional action, not theoretical exploration.
Acceptance of Independent Counsel
The sponsoring leadership must be prepared to receive and consider counsel that is unconflicted, objective, and potentially challenging to existing institutional assumptions.
Engagement Governance
All engagements are governed by a strict framework that ensures accountability, discretion, and the integrity of the advisory process. The core principles of our engagement governance are as follows:
Senior-Level Sponsorship
Every engagement is sponsored and overseen by the highest level of institutional leadership. This ensures direct alignment with the institution’s strategic direction.
Clear Accountability
Lines of accountability for the engagement are established at the outset. Istawra is accountable for the quality and independence of its counsel; the institutional leadership is accountable for decisions and implementation.
Confidentiality
All aspects of the engagement—including its existence—are conducted under strict confidentiality. This is essential for maintaining the trust and candor required for addressing sensitive institutional matters.
Independence of Counsel
Istawra’s independence is a non-negotiable condition of engagement. We do not accept any terms that would compromise our ability to provide objective, unconflicted advice.
Mode of Collaboration
Istawra collaborates in close proximity to senior decision-makers, serving as a confidential sounding board and strategic advisor. We do not embed large teams or assume operational roles within the institution. Our mode of collaboration is designed to augment, not replace, the capabilities of internal leadership and their teams.
We respect existing institutional structures and lines of authority. Our role is to provide an independent perspective that complements the institution’s own expertise and operational capacity, ensuring that leadership has a complete and unbiased view of the decision landscape.
Duration and Continuity
Engagements with Istawra are structured around institutional mandates and decision cycles, not predetermined project timelines or commercial milestones. The duration of our involvement is dictated by the requirements of the mandate itself.
We are structured to provide continuity of counsel through leadership transitions and evolving strategic contexts. As long as a mandate remains active and our counsel remains valuable, the engagement continues.
Entry and Initiation
Engagement with Istawra is initiated through a confidential, structured dialogue at the senior leadership level. We do not engage in public marketing or business development outreach. Initial contact is typically made through trusted institutional channels.
The purpose of this initial dialogue is to determine whether the conditions for a successful engagement exist. It is a process of mutual qualification, conducted with the utmost discretion, to ensure that Istawra’s involvement is appropriate, necessary, and aligned with the institution’s strategic imperatives.