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Michael, Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant at Independent Consulting Firm: Advize Career Interview
A Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant's journey, beginning with military service and culminating in a successful career, offers a compelling narrative.
The path involved rapid advancement in the Marines, followed by a return to education at UCLA and Pepperdine, ultimately leading to a fulfilling career built on listening, empathy, and strategic thinking.
A typical day involves client meetings, collaboration, and continuous learning, prioritizing emotional intelligence and attention to detail.
The most rewarding aspect is helping clients achieve breakthroughs, while the greatest challenges include managing expectations and building trust.
Success in this field hinges on strong interpersonal skills, networking, and a willingness to embrace vulnerability.
Entry-level opportunities include internships and associate positions, or a non-traditional approach focusing on specialized expertise before transitioning into consulting.
This career path, fueled by a strong work ethic and a desire to help others, offers continuous learning and significant personal growth.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Acosta
Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant
Independent Consulting Firm
Santa Monica College, Penn State, UCLA 2019
Pepperdine University Masters in Business and Leadership
Business Management & Admin
Consulting
Consulting
Disabled, Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, Transfer Student
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Career Path of an Independent Senior Strategy and Leadership Consultant
Michael's unconventional career path began with military service, where rapid advancement through the ranks from E1 to Sergeant, managing 12 Marines in Iraq and moving "100 pound bombs," provided early leadership experience. Post-military, a marketing position and property management didn't fulfill Michael, leading to a return to school culminating in a UCLA finance certificate and Pepperdine master's degree, setting the stage for their current role.
Main Responsibilities of an Independent Senior Strategy and Leadership Consultant
As a Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant, Michael's primary responsibility is "to be a listener," gaining a deep understanding of client challenges and goals across various areas like leadership development, process optimization, and organizational transformation. Michael works with all levels of management to "reshape their business and optimize what they can achieve."
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Independent Strategy And Leadership Consultant
A typical day for this Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant begins with a mindful morning routine—including meditation and exercise—to "strengthen my mind and body," followed by industry research to stay current on client-related news. The workday involves client meetings, internal collaborations, and strategic planning, concluding with discussions among colleagues to optimize approaches and share expertise.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Strategy And Leadership Consultant At An Independent Firm
A senior strategy and leadership consultant emphasizes "mastery of 'and'," high emotional intelligence ("EQ is more accurate than IQ"), and honesty as crucial skills, noting the importance of adapting to constantly changing client needs and possessing patience. Attention to detail is also critical, as "the devil's in the details," impacting success or failure.
Favorite Parts of Being an Independent Strategy and Leadership Consultant
Michael, a Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role to be "helping people solve problems and impart knowledge," a passion rooted in childhood experiences where simple solutions brought transformative change. This translates to the "Pinnacle" of the career: witnessing the "aha" moment when clients realize what's possible, echoing the impactful solutions received from their own mother.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Independent Strategy and Leadership Consultant
A senior strategy consultant's greatest challenges involve "gaining the client's trust," which requires patience and understanding, and managing unrealistic client expectations regarding tight timelines. This necessitates a therapeutic approach, requiring the consultant to manage their emotions and their clients', balancing business focus with the emotional aspects of the work.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Consulting As An Independent Senior Strategy Consultant
Michael, a Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant, finds the Professional Services industry fulfilling because it allows the use of "all the tools... educationally and emotionally," fostering continuous learning through diverse client interactions. The collaborative environment with "like-minded individuals" and the feeling of purpose in "helping others achieve" contribute to a career that "doesn't feel like work."
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Consulting Industry, According To An Independent Strategy Consultant
Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultants thrive by possessing "high emotional intelligence," "compassion," and strategic thinking skills, while also exhibiting strong interpersonal abilities like empathy and active listening, and working well under pressure as team players. Success in this field requires a blend of both internal and external focus, leveraging expert knowledge and building trust to effectively guide clients.
What an Independent Strategy Consultant Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Consulting
Michael, a Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant, wished someone had emphasized the crucial role of self-awareness and continuous learning in the profession, stating "I wish somebody would have told me that a little bit sooner," regarding the need for personal development alongside professional expertise. The necessity of building a strong network, including mentors and champions, to overcome imposter syndrome and confidently navigate the competitive landscape was another key takeaway, highlighting the importance of seeking support and acknowledging that "it's okay not to have all the answers."
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Consultants
Entry-level consulting roles include internships and associate positions, but a non-traditional route involves gaining experience in a desired field—for example, "get into the field that you want to be in"—then transitioning into consulting with specialized expertise. This approach allows individuals to "consult in the field you are already have your or moving your degree towards," offering a flexible and potentially lucrative career path.
Significant Career Lesson From An Independent Strategy And Leadership Consultant
Michael, a Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant, identifies vulnerability as the most significant lesson learned throughout the career, citing a pivotal experience leading Marines during a crucial mission in 2003 where "I was vulnerable with them and I said listen. I I can't do this without you," resulting in a life-changing shift towards empathetic and vulnerable leadership, a style now central to the consultant's practice.
College Experiences That Helped an Independent Strategy Consultant Succeed
Michael's success as a Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant stems from a strong emphasis on networking, believing "it's not what you know, who you know," with mentors cultivated during college remaining valuable resources throughout his career. This networking provided not only access to knowledge and experience but also clients through word-of-mouth referrals.
How Identity Has Influenced an Independent Strategy and Leadership Consultant's Career
Michael's Marine Corps experience instilled "a specific and unique skill set," fostering leadership and pushing personal boundaries to achieve "things that I never thought" possible, building confidence that translates directly into a successful consulting career. The strong "Brotherhood" and core values of "honor, courage, and commitment," combined with traits like "decisiveness, dependability, and initiative," directly contribute to professional success.
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