What Type Of Person Thrives In Consulting, According To A Senior Manager Organizational Development At Global Entertainment Company
Elizabeth, a senior manager in organizational development with experience in both internal and external consulting, identifies a key trait for success in the industry as enjoying "ambiguity" and the "challenge of having different things happen every day." This constant need for flexibility and confidence in proposing solutions, even with incomplete information, makes the field exciting for some but stressful for others, highlighting that a comfort with the unknown is crucial.
Curiosity, Ambiguity Tolerance, Flexibility, Confidence, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Elizabeth DeVeny
Sr Manager, Org. Development
Global Entertainment Company
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Hult Intl Business School, Master's International Business
Communications
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Human Resources (HR)
Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. People who thrive in organizational development consulting are naturally curious and comfortable with ambiguity.
2. They enjoy the challenge of working with incomplete information and adapting to unpredictable situations.
3. The ability to quickly assess, understand, and propose solutions, even in unfamiliar contexts, is crucial for success in this field.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
I'll answer this from a consulting point of view. I'm an internal consultant, and I've also been an external consultant.
People who do really well in those types of roles are naturally curious but also comfortable in the unknown. They enjoy ambiguity and the challenge of different things happening every day. They need to drive to recommendations or conclusions in spaces where they may not have all the information they'd want.
There's a lot of unpredictability in what I do. There's a lot of need to be flexible and confident in what you're proposing. This is true even if you haven't been working in that industry or with that team for a decade. You drop in and immediately have to assess and understand.
This need to constantly "roll with it" isn't for everybody. But if you're hearing this and thinking it sounds exciting, or you enjoy that fresh start feeling, then consulting might be the right path for you. If it sounds really stressful, that's fine too; it just means it's not the right fit.