What Are the Qualities of a Successful Management Consultant?

What Are the
Nine Common
Qualities of a
Management
Successful
Consulting Fit
Interview
Management
Questions
Consultant?

Management consulting as a calling

Management consulting is a very specific niche or calling.
Successful consultants are known to possess qualities and
characteristics that are essential for carrying out the rigorous
duties associated with the role.
Contrary to popular belief, the characteristics of a successful
management consultant can be honed through years of
practice. Before we dive into the specific qualities, let’s take a
closer look at what the job entails in order to better
understand what type of individuals fair well in the profession.

In this presentation, you will learn:

•
•

Management consulting job
description
Qualities of a successful
consultant

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Summary of a consultant’s job description
•

The way the media portrays management
consulting is very different from what the
job is really like. Consultants are trained to
think outside the box. This also applies to
their work schedule. Most consultants are
required to work and travel on a regular
basis, which can be very disconcerting. The
traveling aspect is a concern for many
consultants because it’s an unpredictable
factor in their hectic schedule of meeting
deadlines and writing reports.

•

Furthermore, clients can be extremely
demanding, primarily because they feel
somewhat uneasy about putting the fate of
their company in the hands of a
management consultant. The pressure of the
job is another factor that can make the most
seasoned and experienced consultants fold.
It takes an individual with a strong and
disciplined mind to get through weeks of
brainstorming and meetings while staying
100% focused.

•

Consistency is expected and is one of the
hardest parts of the profession. Top consulting
firms require their employees to stay sharp in
every aspect of the job. In the beginning this
can seem like a walk in the park, but midway
into a consultant’s career when the stakes are
higher, it may not be that easy.


3

Qualities of a successful consultant
Communication
and social skills

A consultant must have strong communication and social skills—it’s an unavoidable
aspect of the profession. Professionals are required to talk to clients and
colleagues, report to their superiors, hold meetings, present at conferences, and
more. Many individuals who simply try to present themselves as friendly or sociable
won’t make the cut because consultants are required to be sociable 24/7. When a
consultant isn’t at the office or in a meeting, he or she might be networking or
taking a group of clients to lunch. Even those who are naturally outgoing or
comfortable around people may feel that this side of the job can get overwhelming
at times.

Introverts may find it difficult to compete with other consultants who are more
vocal. This doesn’t mean that all successful consultants are extroverts; however, in
order to cope with the social aspects of the job, employees who are shy and timid
may need to exert twice the effort to breakdown personal boundaries that may be
hindering them from performing well.
Quick and
organized
thinking

Management consultants are required to sift through endless amounts of
information while formulating a solution, which requires a well-structured
mind. It’s almost like stepping into the middle of a battlefield; a consultant may
have an arsenal of frameworks memorized, but organized thinking also includes
efficient application. A consultant must know when to use what he or she has
learned in order to arrive at the best solution. Without this skill, it may take some
time for an individual to reach a feasible solution; a luxury that most consultants
don’t have.


4

Think outside
the box
(creative
thinking)

One of the main reasons that leading companies hire management consultants is
because of their point of view. It’s difficult to spot internal problems within a
large company when you’re part of its daily operations. Furthermore, some of
the staff are so used to the structure and business functions that they are unable
to pinpoint the weak spots. A successful consultant can walk into a company,
analyze the facts and figures, identify the areas that need improved, and find a
viable solution for implementation.
Many companies aren’t quick to admit that they rely on a management
consultant’s expert advice or proposed solution. Before hiring a consultant,
businesses have most likely tried everything to salvage or find an answer to their
problems. A consultant must be creative enough to formulate a solution that the
management or senior staff has not thought of.
Thinking outside the box doesn’t end with a feasible solution. A management
consultant is also required to implement the new plan and put it into action. This
entails creative thinking, as most companies are looking for fresh and new ideas
that can help them stand out from their competitors and solidify their brand.

“Dance above the surface of the world.
Let your thoughts lift you into creativity that is not hampered by opinion.”
― Red Haircrow


5

Superior math
skills

A consultant must also be well versed in the technical aspect of the occupation.
This includes mental math abilities as well as analytical skills. Even though
calculators and spreadsheets are readily available, it doesn’t necessarily mean
they should be used for every calculation. Imagine pulling out a calculator in the
middle of a presentation in front of the senior staff in a multi-national
company—it doesn’t fit the image of an expert consultant. More importantly, the
computation must be accurate. It’s true that most computations are rough
averages or estimates, but even so, the margins provided by a management
consultant aren’t too far off the actual mark.

Part of the work of a consultant requires analyzing graphs for accurate forecasts
and calculated projections. As we all know, not all data on a graph is important.
Successful consultants know how to analyze charts and identify the information
or data that is relevant, which enables them to quickly formulate a solution.


6

Adaptability

Each client is different. Even if they are competitors in the same industry, working
with the same products, services, and concerns, internally (i.e., structure, mission,
forecasts) they are very different. A successful consultant is required to acclimate
and adapt to the needs of the client as well as meet the objectives set by his or her
superiors. This is not a simple feat, even though most consulting firms specialize in
specific industries and sectors. Moreover, consultants must also adapt to global
trends, which may require a renewed mindset. Consultants are expected to be
caught up to speed in a short amount of time. This may mean reading and
comprehending a large amount of information over a few cups of coffee.

Work
exceptionally
well in a team

A team of consultants who work well together can be a powerful force in a high
caliber firm. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Consultants who are great on
their own but are unable to work well in a team can easily derail a project.
Teamwork is an essential part of being a consultant. It’s not practical to attempt to
do everything alone; those who try may burn themselves out. A highly successful
consultant knows the strengths and weakness of each of his or her teammates and
is able to maximize the potential of each member, which saves time and effort.
Working effectively in a team also requires a consultant to be sensitive to the
needs of others. The ability to empathize with a group of consultants is hard to
come by. Most consultants have a tough outer shell, but a successful consultant in
charge of leading a team knows when to push and motivate and when to relax and
take a break- even when the other members of the team aren’t backing down.
Strong empathy skills can raise productivity and prevent breakdowns.


7

Drive and
motivation

It’s easy to spot successful management consultants. They talk a little differently,
and move with confidence, without being too arrogant. Their work is always
thorough and they know how to make the most out of seemingly hopeless
situations. Lastly, they are always working towards a goal and are never satisfied
with mediocre results.
How does a consultant achieve this mindset? The best consultants are truly made
for the job. Preparation and hard work, amounting to valuable work experience,
has set them apart from their colleagues. Motivation is essential in the consulting
industry; many experts question their career when the pressure starts to build,
but don’t throw in the towel.

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."
— Lou Holtz

In conclusion, perfecting the qualities of a highly successful consultant requires years of practice and
preparation. The management consulting industry is rewarding to those who are willing to work hard and
help others along the way.


8

Free Guide: Learn How to Break Into Consulting

Do you want to break into consulting? Download our free PDF guide, which
will show you the necessary steps and best practices on how to prepare.

1

2

3

Consulting Interview Process: Get an overview of the
application and interview process when applying to
management consulting firms. Receive tips on how to write
your cover letter and resume and get prepared for the
written tests and interviews once you get there.
Interview Preparation: Learn what you need to practice to
receive an offer from one of the top-tier consulting firms.
See our step-by-step framework to case study solving, learn
how to develop your own frameworks and get mental math
tips.
Case Study Example: Know what to expect from a case
study interview round. Read a real-life case study interview,
which includes a variety of topics. See the practical
application of the step-by-step framework to case study
solving.

What Are the Qualities of a Successful Management Consultant?

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What Are the Qualities of a Successful Management Consultant?