My Rookie Moment

Consultants are no strangers to dealing with stressful and high-pressure situations. Those are the times when a focus on health and wellness are probably most crucial—and, unfortunately, also when such concerns tend to fall by the wayside. Wellness comes in many different forms and should be an important part of the way we work. In this episode, Sherina Ebrahim, Johanne Lavoie, Asheet Mehta, Liz Hilton Segel, and Gayatri Shenai talk about issues such as managing a colleague going through mental health challenges, navigating work after returning from parental leave, and learning to respect psychological boundaries while coaching someone.

We all know the value of teamwork. As seasoned consultants, our colleagues understand that working in teams and dealing with different types of people in diverse contexts require flexibility, sensitivity, an open mind, and a collaborative mindset. In this episode, Michael Birshan, Brian Elliott, Alok Kshirsagar, Asutosh Padhi, Michael Park, and Jennifer Stanley, look back on learning from mistakes, being a part of diverse teams, overcoming challenges through teamwork, and appreciating what each team member brings to the table—while meeting them where they are.

A truly inclusive environment is one where everyone’s individuality is embraced and celebrated. But bringing your authentic self to work is not always easy and often requires vulnerability, courage, and the support of others. In this episode, our LGBTQ+ colleagues David Baboolall (they/them/theirs), Ellis Griffith (they/them/theirs or she/her/hers), Matthews Mmopi (he/him/his), Maurice Obeid (he/him/his), and Brian Rolfes (he/him/his) share key moments in their careers where opening up about who they are led to strengthened relationships, new opportunities, and a sense of belonging.

For rookie consultants, speaking with a CEO is often an exciting experience—but it can also be intimidating. In this episode, Manish Chopra, Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Richard Lee, Vik Malhotra, Michael Park, and Wesley Walden look back on their encounters with CEOs early in their careers, both in formal and informal settings. They reflect on how they were able to build rapport and establish a connection—often in unexpected ways—that made a lasting impression.

The process of writing a book is no easy feat. It’s often a journey that involves years of preparation, multiple iterations, and constant refinements—much like what it takes to become a good consultant. In this episode, Manish Chopra, Scott Keller, Tim Koller, Johanne Lavoie, Martin Hirt, Jonathan Woetzel, and Rodney Zemmel share stories about the first time they wrote a book and what inspired them to take the leap into authorship. They also offer advice to aspiring writers.

Taking a leap of faith is almost always nerve-racking, but a bold move can yield great rewards and lead to new opportunities. In this episode, Brian Elliott, Alok Kshirsagar, Cindy Levy, Rob Palter, and Drew Ungerman share stories of how taking the path less traveled, mustering up the confidence to lead a big presentation, going off script, and trusting their instincts helped them stretch their capabilities and achieve success.

What is something that many successful leaders have in common? They have had good mentors who encouraged them to be the best version of themselves. In this episode, Alberto Chaia, Dymfke Kuijpers, Jesko Perrey, Liz Hilton Segel, and Shubham Singhal reflect on pivotal moments in their careers where they have benefited from the advice of a trusted colleague—and how that guidance helped them overcome doubts, boosted their confidence, and motivated them to realize their potential.

Change is an inevitable part of life. Adapting to it requires agility, an open mind, and the courage to think outside the box. In this episode, Tiffany Burns, Alberto Chaia, Dymfke Kuijpers, Nick Leung, Jennifer Stanley, and Sven Smit share stories about how adjusting to unfamiliar situations—whether it’s coming back to work after parental leave, seeking a flexible work arrangement, or dealing with a difficult problem—has helped them thrive in their careers, sometimes unexpectedly.

We’ve all had moments in which we had to step out of our comfort zones. Our colleagues have learned that uncomfortable experiences often lead to rewarding outcomes—even if it feels awkward and challenging at the time. In this episode, Tiffany Burns, Katy George, Tania Holt, Greg Kelly, Sven Smit, and Magnus Tyreman talk about how taking control of sticky situations—whether it’s speaking up about a problem, giving tough feedback, or thinking quickly on their feet—has helped them grow professionally.

It’s when we’re on the cusp of personal growth that we can feel most vulnerable—and in those moments we have to fight the impulse to be defensive. Our colleagues learn early in their careers to view feedback as a gift that will help propel them forward as professionals. In this episode, Eric Kutcher, Acha Leke, Clarisse Magnin-Mallez, Joe Ngai, Liz Hilton Segel, Shubham Singhal, and Lareina Yee discuss times they had to give or receive feedback—or simply acknowledge that it was time to ask for help—and how those experiences helped them grow.

One of people’s most common phobias is the fear of public speaking. Our colleagues have to do a lot of it, often in high-stakes situations. In this first episode, Katy George, Tania Holt, Eric Kutcher, Chris Leech, Acha Leke, Kevin Sneader, and Lareina Yee talk about presentations they had to give—sometimes unexpectedly and without much preparation—to senior clients or large groups, and the lessons learned from those experiences.