9-to-5 vs. Entrepreneurship: What’s the Real Risk?

Is the 9-to-5 grind really the safer option, or is entrepreneurship the bigger risk?

This question was recently posed to 100 CEOs. Interestingly, their answers didn’t glorify one path over the other. Instead, they revealed a deeper truth: the real risk isn’t found in the structure of your work, but in whether that structure genuinely serves who you are and what you want from life.

 

As HR professionals and consultants, this is something we encounter every day. Many employed HR leaders ask themselves: Should I continue in corporate life, or should I set up as an HR consultant? And those considering self-employment often wonder: how to become an independent HR consultant without sacrificing financial security?

The insights below highlight how different leaders view risk and what this means for HR professionals at a career crossroads.

1. It’s Not About the Path, It’s About the Destination

Entrepreneur Steven Bartlett reminds us that it’s not a simple choice between employment or entrepreneurship. The real question is whether either path will get us to the outcomes we want — freedom, purpose, or growth.

“The risk isn’t in the path you take. The risk is in the price you’ll pay if you end up in the wrong place.”

For HR professionals exploring how to become an HR consultant, this is a reminder to define your goals first. Consulting is a tool not the end game.

2. The Illusion of Stability

For many, a salary feels safe. But investor Codie Sanchez challenges that belief. A job can disappear overnight. Relying on one employer is a fragile strategy.

“Your salary is a ceiling, not a foundation. Starting something new isn’t the scary part. Blindly trusting a system you can’t control is.”

This is why some professionals choose to set up as an HR consultant — to diversify their income streams and reduce reliance on a single source of security.

3. Know Your Wiring

Dom Maskell highlights that entrepreneurship is not for everyone. It demands resilience and energy. If you thrive in structure and predictability, a great 9-to-5 may be a better fit.

“Do I thrive in uncertainty, or do I need structure to do my best work?”

For those exploring how to become an independent HR consultant, asking yourself this question honestly is a crucial step before making the leap.

4. Both Paths Matter

Eric Partaker stresses that entrepreneurial thinking can exist inside a corporate role. A 9-to-5 is not a trap it can be a launchpad.

“A 9-5 isn’t a trap. It can be a launchpad.”

HR consultants often help organisations encourage this intrapreneurial spirit, which benefits both employees and employers.

5. Choose Fulfilment Over Fear

For Murvah Iqbal, the corporate path felt like the bigger gamble. Entrepreneurship provided fulfilment and freedom.

“If you can stomach the uncertainty, the fulfilment of creating something from nothing is unmatched.”

This resonates with many HR professionals who want to set up as an HR consultant so they can design a career around their values, not someone else’s agenda.

6. Growth vs. Stagnation

Finally, Richard Chambers warns that true risk lies not in stability, but in stagnation.

“The people who step up and push beyond what’s expected thrive in all types of environments.”

For those in HR, this can mean staying in corporate and pushing for transformation — or building a consultancy that creates impact on your own terms.

Why This Matters to the HR Consulting Community

As HR consultants, we stand between both worlds. We advise leaders inside organisations, and we also guide professionals stepping into consulting. Understanding the psychology behind career choices makes us better coaches, strategists, and partners.

• For employees: it may be about creating cultures that support growth.

• For founders: it may be about guiding them as they scale.

• For consultants: it’s about recognising that success is deeply personal.

Ultimately, the question isn’t whether employment or consulting is safer. It’s about alignment, risk tolerance, and fulfilment.

Ready to Take the Leap?

If you’re asking yourself how to become an HR consultant or wondering whether you’re ready to set up as an independent HR consultant, you don’t need to figure it out alone.

Our Leap into HR Consulting® resources and HR Consultancy Academy community are designed to help you:

• Build confidence in your skills as a consultant

• Learn the practical steps to set up your HR consulting business

• Connect with like-minded professionals who’ve already made the leap

• Create a flexible and fulfilling career on your own terms

✨ Whether you choose the structure of employment or the freedom of consulting, the key is finding the path that allows you to thrive.