From Senior Consultant to Practice Manager

Ryan Eastwood’s Journey with Synapri

From Senior Consultant to Practice Manager in just over three years—Ryan shares his journey, the challenges he overcame, and how Synapri’s culture creates opportunities for career growth. 

Can you share your journey from Senior Consultant to Practice Manager? What key milestones stand out?

When I joined Synapri, I lacked confidence despite having several years of recruitment experience. With the support of my colleagues Michael Parker and Joe Nolan, I focused on learning my market, applying the fundamentals, and building consistency in my approach. Hard work, discipline, and a commitment to mastering the basics helped me progress quickly—first to Principal Consultant, then to Practice Manager in just over three years.

Some key milestones along the way include earning multiple Salesperson of the Month awards, achieving several holiday incentives, and winning the End of Year Award twice. These achievements reflect not just my personal success but also the supportive, high-performance culture at Synapri.

What were the biggest challenges you faced as you transitioned into leadership, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest adjustments was learning how to manage people with different motivations, ambitions, and working styles. Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, so I focused on developing my ability to coach and mentor rather than just direct.

Synapri provided the guidance I needed, with training sessions, recommended reading, and advice from senior leadership. Both James and Michael took the time to help me navigate this transition, and their support played a huge role in my development as a manager.

What skills or experiences helped you the most in stepping up to a management role?

Patience and effective communication have been crucial. I’ve learned that good leadership is about coaching and mentoring rather than simply instructing. Understanding how to adapt my approach to different individuals has been key to building a strong and motivated team.

How has your role evolved since becoming Practice Manager, and what does your day-to-day look like now?

My role has changed significantly, while I still work closely with clients, my main focus is now on my team’s development. I take pride in setting them up for success, coaching them when needed, and providing best-practice advice. Seeing their growth and progression has become just as rewarding as my own achievements.

How do you support and develop consultants looking to progress within the business?

It starts with understanding what drives them—what their career goals are, why they do the job, and what success looks like to them. From there, I help them play to their strengths while working on areas for improvement. At Synapri, we believe in giving people the tools and training they need to succeed, but ultimately, it’s their drive and commitment that make the difference.

What do you think sets Synapri apart in terms of career progression and development?

The people and the environment. The senior leadership team genuinely trusts and invests in you, and there’s always support available when you need it. Synapri’s growth has created opportunities I never expected when I joined, and being part of a company that is constantly evolving means there’s always room to progress.

What advice would you give to consultants who want to follow a similar career path?

Define what you want from your career—whether it’s financial success, personal growth, or something else entirely. Become obsessed with that goal and work backwards to figure out what you need to do daily to achieve it. Once you have clarity, we’ll work with you to create a roadmap for success. The rest is up to you.

What excites you most about the future of your team and Synapri as a whole?

Watching my team grow—not just as recruiters but as people. The skills we develop in recruitment, like relationship-building, negotiation, and resilience, are invaluable in all aspects of life. Seeing my team progress and build successful careers is the most rewarding part of my job.

Interested in joining Synapri? Then email us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!