Is Consulting WLB (really really) that bad?

Hi there,

It’s totally normal to feel concerned about work-life balance when moving into MBB—especially if you’ve had a decent rhythm in your previous consulting role. 

To your question: yes, MBB is intense. It’s not just the hours—it’s the pace, the client expectations, and the high bar internally. The work is fast-moving, and teams are often trying to deliver maximum impact in tight timelines. That said, it’s not a 24/7 grind for everyone all the time. Some projects will be tough; others are much more manageable. Peaks and valleys exist, and team culture plays a big role.

What makes MBB feel “more intense” than other firms often comes down to:

• High expectations from both clients and leadership.
• Compressed timelines for complex work.
• Frequent context-switching across industries, teams, or even geographies.
• Internal drive—you’re surrounded by smart, ambitious peers, and that can create pressure to always go the extra mile.

However, more and more MBB teams do recognize the need for sustainability. Partners and team leads are becoming more aware of burnout risks, and consultants who respectfully advocate for reasonable boundaries are not seen as weak—they're seen as human. The key is how you communicate: framing your need for decompression as something that helps you perform better can go a long way.

Also, being a new joiner doesn’t mean you’re powerless. You can:

• Observe how others on your team manage their balance.
• Find allies—often mid-level managers—who “get it.”
• Start with small but consistent signals (e.g., protecting a short evening window if possible).

Bottom line: Yes, MBB can be intense, but many people do find ways to make it work for them. It won’t be perfect, but it’s not hopeless either. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want tips on navigating the first few months—happy to help.

Best,

Evelina

Hi there,

I actually wrote a longer piece on this with advice on how to manage WLB. You can find it here:

• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

To respond directly to your question, in reality, WLB is both a question of ability and luck. 

Ability means the actual skills that you have in managing your workload but also managing the others around you who have an impact on your workload, and the general ambition you have (e.g., you want to get a distinctive review to be fast-track promoted)

Luck means that some projects are plain bad and difficult and others are rather easy. They can be both opportunities or challenges, depending on your mindset and the stage at which you are approaching them. But it's good to keep this in mind so you don't blame yourself when things don't go your way. 

Best,
Cristian

Work life balance is variable by project and it’s hard to predict. I’ve had projects where I finish at 5pm, and projects where every day is past midnight. 

Within different practice areas, there are different WLB expectations. If you purely work on transformations, it’s normal to expect some downtime. If you purely work on private equity projects, absolutely not.

If you’re doing delivery work, the chances are your WLB will be on the better side - think finishing at 7-9pm. 

MBB is more intense because you get hired to do high-importance projects with tight timelines and a lot of pressure compared to other firms. 

There are tactical and systematic ways through which you can try to manage lifestyle, but sometimes it will just be a bit tough! Happy to talk more if you like.

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the upcoming consulting career start!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, based on my network of seasoned consulting professionals, I don't think that working at McKinsey, BCG or Bain is necessarily more intense than working at other top consulting firms.
• Moreover, in fact, it depends on the specific country, role, and projects. Some countries, including Germany, are known for having longer work hours in consulting; your role will also determine how intense your job may be; and some projects are simply going to be tough in terms of working hours and stress.
• Lastly, I would advise you to not assume that advocating for boundaries won't work; things have changed a lot in consulting over the last 5-10 years. Framing your needs as something that makes you more effective will most likely be well-received.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hey there :)

Totally fair concern, and honestly, yes, MBB can be more intense than other consulting firms, especially in the first year. What makes it tougher is the combo of super high client expectations, internal pressure for excellence, and a fast pace of learning and output. The bar is just higher across the board.

That said, most teams do understand the need for downtime, and there's more awareness around sustainability than a few years ago. But as a new joiner, you might feel hesitant to set boundaries right away, which is very common. The key is to find moments to recharge even within the intensity, and to build trust with your team so your needs are better understood over time.

Let me know if you want tips on how to approach this with your team from the start!

Best,
Alessa :)