Significant Career Lesson From A Senior Consultant At Deloitte Consulting
James, a Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting, emphasizes two crucial career lessons: the importance of admitting "what you don't know, but work like heck to figure it out," earning respect through a "can-do attitude," and possessing the confidence to believe "you belong" even when surrounded by experienced professionals, adding value with this self-assuredness.
Confidence, Problem-Solving, Communication, Overcoming Challenges, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
James McGhee
Senior Consultant
Deloitte Consulting
Duke University
UCLA Anderson School of Management - Master of Business Administration
Legal & Policy
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Don't be afraid to admit what you don't know, but work hard to figure it out. This shows a can-do attitude and willingness to learn.
2. In consulting, have confidence that you belong and can add value, even when surrounded by senior professionals with extensive experience.
3. Consulting is an industry where you can add value from day one, even as a recent graduate. Confidence in your abilities is key to success
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
I'm actually going to break this into two. There are two things I've learned that I think have been invaluable pieces of advice that I remind myself of every day.
The first is, don't be afraid to admit what you don't know, but work like heck to figure out whatever it is. This was a piece of advice given to me very early on.
Particularly as you get into more client-facing roles and face tough questions, things will come up that you don't know. Being willing and having the conviction to say, "Well, I don't know, but I will figure it out," people respect that.
It shows you have a can-do attitude, but it also shows that you are willing to admit when you have a shortcoming.
The other thing, the other lesson that's really stuck out to me, is to really have confidence that you belong somewhere. Consulting in particular is an industry where you can come in from day one and be in a room of client team members who are 20 years your senior and have been working in a specific industry for 20 years.
But that doesn't mean that you, as a recent undergraduate hire on the consulting team, don't have some sort of value add. So, have confidence that you belong in the setting that you're in. You're there for a reason.
Figuring out how you can add value to any given situation with that confidence that you belong there will take anybody a long way.