Just curious because long work hours and high stress might get to a person
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Hi there,
I don’t think there is any reason to assume infidelity is particularly common in MBB.
The more realistic relationship risk is usually availability, not infidelity. Long hours, travel and unpredictable schedules can make it harder to spend quality time together, and that is probably what puts the most pressure on relationships.
A couple of caveats:
• MBB is not one single culture. Lifestyle can vary massively depending on office, project, team and travel requirements.
• There is also a huge gossip bias. Nobody comes to work on Monday announcing: “Another successful weekend of being completely faithful to my partner.” The dramatic stories are simply the ones that travel faster.
So if this is genuinely part of your concern about joining MBB, I would worry much more about whether your relationship can handle the lifestyle than about consulting somehow turning people into serial cheaters.
Best,
Carlos
Hi,
In 10 years at BCG I analyzed a lot of data, but my colleagues' private lives were never part of the scope, so I am afraid I have no numbers to share on this one.
Good luck!
Best,
Franco
Honestly, I don't think anyone has a credible “X% of MBB consultants cheat” statistic :)
Yes, consulting can put pressure on relationships: long hours, travel, stress and unpredictability.
But I know many many people at MBB that maintain relationships, families, etc. It's tough, but many make it work.
If you're thinking about joining consulting, I'd focus less on whether consultants statistically cheat and more on whether you and your partner can handle the lifestyle. Communication, boundaries and protecting time together matter much more.
For more on what the lifestyle is actually like, take a look at my Consulting Survival Guide.
Hey there :)
I don’t think there’s reliable data on infidelity specifically within MBB, so it’s hard to say how common it actually is. Long hours, frequent travel and stress can put pressure on relationships, but that doesn’t automatically lead to cheating.
From what I’ve seen, the bigger challenge is often finding enough time and energy for a relationship. A lot depends on the individuals, their boundaries and how they manage their time together.
Best, Alessa :)
