Anyone else feel like consulting can be quite emotionally abusive or is that just MBB?

Sep 25, 2020 26 Comments

So much keeping up appearances, personal sacrifices, brown-nosing, pressure to always be ‘inspiring’. It can be a bit much. Anyone else feel this way? Is it a McKinsey thing or do other consultants feel this way? If so how do you cope?

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TOP 26 Comments
  • Facebook / Product
    D7

    Go to company page Facebook Product

    D7
    ex-McK and Deloitte here

    When i was a new grad working at McK and felt what I thought was abuse, I wasn't sure if it was abuse because I didn't know any better. everyone around me were all in MBB and IB with worse horror stories and you're told to suck it up and not complain about the golden ticket you just received.

    Years later you realize those managers in MBB adding pressure onto you are also scared shitless for their jobs and they also have no sense of security.

    After leaving consulting and then going back to hire MBB for corporate projects, BB IB teams for two start-up exits I was part of, and now working at FB. I can 100% say the typical bullshit you get in consulting is unnecessary and abusive. But that's the game you signed up for. No one in the firm is going to listen and change. there's a saying at McK that the best leave, the worst get fired, and the avg rise to partners and lead the firm. those folks that worked the system well and survived have little incentive to change it ;)
    Oct 5, 2020 0
  • When people ask to schedule a meeting with me to hear more about the company, I explicitly tell them “I would not recommend working as a management consultant.”
    Sep 28, 2020 2
  • eBay
    huk

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    huk
    Consulting sucks up your life man
    Sep 25, 2020 0
  • Amazon / Mgmt
    quipquip

    Go to company page Amazon Mgmt

    quipquip
    I spent a few years at McKinsey and hated it. Life is just such shit when you work there especially if you have a family.

    I definitely learnt a lot during my time there and much more confident today due to that experience. But the price paid is very high for that learning
    Sep 25, 2020 0
  • In the same shoes man. It is sucking up my life. Not happy here (at McKinsey) at all :(
    Sep 27, 2020 0