A life ‘hack’: What I’ve learnt in my internship so far…

I’m currently watching The Hack, starring David Tennant, on ITV with my mum. Tennant, who I’ve adored since watching Doctor Who as a kid, plays journalist Nick Davies, uncovering the phone hacking scandal at News of the World. 

I’ve only seen the first two episodes, so don’t worry no spoilers here. But in episode one, Davies says something that struck me and made me reflect on my time so far at Truth Consulting:  “The purpose of the journalist is to find the closest obtainable version of truth possible.” 

I think that’s also the pursuit of the work I’ve been supporting during my internship. We can talk all day about blended methods, which my interdisciplinary background thrives on, but ultimately, what underpins every action is the uncovering of truths that fuel change. Not a truth, but truths: cultural, consumer, company and category truths. Each one is shaped by context, perspective and complexity.  

It might make you think the name of the company is perfectly apt. But I’d argue it’s more than that, Truth’s name is a reminder of the core founding value the company was built upon. Sure, we can innovate, we can disrupt, we can settle, but never without the permission of oftentimes complex and potentially uncomfortable truths. That means not forcing narratives, not shaping stories to fit expectations, and not compromising on what the evidence shows. Every insight, narrative, and piece of research must be intentionally rooted in the real, complex world we inhabit. That’s the ultimate learning I’ve taken from this experience. 

In all the tasks I’ve done, this has been central: 

• Ensuring we’re not introducing bias during fieldwork through careful back-and-forth with clients on stims, discussion guides, etc. 

• Setting up analysis boards to accurately reflect behaviour as well as cultural truths, being as detailed and precise as possible. 

• Using blended thinking: semiotics, qualitative, quantitative, to understand all sides of the story. 

  
  

I was surprised by how understanding people requires both careful handling and bold illumination. I’ve learnt a lot in the process, from discovering and cultivating insight in shop-alongs with women going through per-menopause, to analysing kids’ thoughts on YouTube content, to revising prompts on Belgian potato chips. The variety shows how fundamental this approach is. 

It’s also been challenging. It demands intentionality and empathy across stakeholders and projects. It requires taking your time, crafting stories from what’s in front of you and not from your own experience. That’s easier said than done. It’s about ensuring insight is presented well so that it’s understood well. Because sometimes, you can do everything right, but if the recipient doesn’t understand it, your words can become something else entirely. 

Luckily, I’ve had the support of a phenomenal in-house team in this journey, and I’ve already learnt a lot from them. A special thanks to my line manager Taiye. 

Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep exploring how the truths that matter can be shaped, protected, and communicated. This first month has shown me that truth is a multiplicity, as evolving as the people it embraces. It’s something you work toward.