Most Important Skills For A Manager At A Large Consulting Firm
Lauren emphasizes that a "continued sense of curiosity" is paramount, as most other skills can be taught, and highlights adaptability and flexibility as key for navigating the unpredictable nature of consulting, requiring professionals to disconnect emotionally and efficiently move forward when plans change. To succeed as a manager in consulting requires "a kind of can-do attitude" and a willingness to tackle problems head-on.
Curiosity, Adaptability, Flexibility, Problem-Solving, Resilience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lauren Elizabeth
Manager
Large Consulting Firm
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University - Master of Science in Business Analytics and Johns Hopkins University - Master of Public Health
Economics
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Healthcare, Medical & Wellness
Consulting
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. The most important skill is a continued sense of curiosity. Anything can be taught, but a sense of curiosity and adventure cannot.
2. Adaptability and flexibility are crucial. This means being able to handle curve balls from clients and redirecting when necessary without getting flustered.
3. A willingness to make it happen is essential. Having a can-do attitude to solve problems is important for success as a manager in consulting.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
The most important skill in my job is a continued sense of curiosity. We always joke that anything can be taught, but curiosity and adventure cannot. This keeps the work engaging and interesting, and encourages people to keep coming back.
At times, the work can be challenging. For example, if a policy doesn't go your way or something you worked hard on isn't accepted by political leadership. These are common in consulting.
Adaptability and flexibility are also crucial, especially in my field. Adaptability means being able to figure out how to move forward when a client throws a curveball, without getting flustered.
Flexibility means understanding that sometimes you're on a particular path, and then you're redirected by external forces, leadership, or the client. It's about emotionally disconnecting from the work and recognizing that things change. You need to be able to do this quickly and efficiently.
This is about accepting change and moving on, rather than getting hung up on how things "should" be. Finally, there's always a willingness to make it happen. To be successful in this job, as a manager or in consulting generally, you need a can-do attitude. When you see a problem, you figure out a way to solve it.