Management consultancy as a career

Management consultancy is a professional career. It is likely to be chosen fairly soon after obtaining a good university degree and perhaps also a secondary qualification such as an MBA. Many graduates of a professional qualification choose consultancy, for example, accountants, lawyers, marketeers, engineers and computer specialists. Once in the profession, specialist firms are now so large that they provide a career structure to match anything found elsewhere. A career path might typically be from a junior consultant to management consultant, senior consultant, manager, senior manager to director. Consultancy demands managing just like all occupations do. It follows that consultancy and general management are not divorced disciplines

What personal qualities must a management consultant possess? The seven traits listed below are not in order of magnitude. As in all walks of life, some will have particular strengths and weaknesses. One big difference in this profession however is that there is no place to hide. The consultant is on show and up-front. It is not for the timid

1. Ethics and integrity - honesty, recognition of competence limitation, genuine desire to help

2. Strong physical and mental health - able to sustain a punishing work and social schedule

3. Personal drive - self confidence, ambition, entrepreneurial spirit, courage

4. Intellectual and emotional maturity - behavioural stability, absolute independence, withstand pressure, stay calm and objective

5. Intellectual ability - learn quickly and easily, gather facts accurately, sound judgement, original thinking

6. Understand others - tolerance and respect for others, anticipate human reactions, gain trust and respect, good manners

7. Communication skills - listen, skill in oral and written word, teach and train, persuade and motivate

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