Overheard negative feedback about me from a partner - how to face?

Question

I have just joined the firm for a few weeks coming outside of consulting. Today when I had a catchup session with a partner, he told me that he has overheard some negative feedback about me from a junior in my project team. Seems that the partner overheard this from another partner. In a nutshell - the feedback was I didn't lead the project well and manage junior members well.

While I admit these are things I am learning and improving, I have a mixed feeling about such blunt and direct feedback coming into my ears indirectly. I also feel uncomfortable that these feedback are diminishing my crediential. Would like to hear your advice - in consulting, is it usual for junior team members to give feedback about you directly to your boss? How do I face these critisim? Honestly speaking I feel a bit depressed but at the same time I think I should handle the critism positively. Thanks for your advice!

Answer 1

Hi there,

This is hard, but you also need to suck it up.

I also struggled with this (it's not easy!). The constant feedback from consultancies is truly overwhelming (to those reading this who have not joined yet and think the case prep journey is tough…it's just the warm up!).

Ultimately though, this is how the industry works.

You need to get used to constant feedback. You'll improve in one area only to have another area criticized. You haven't even had your end-of-project or quarterly review….there are pages and pages of feedback across dozens of “areas of improvement” categories!

If you want to improve, grow, and work at a top-tier firm, this is what it takes!

Yes it's super hard. Yes it's something that you shouldn't have to deal with. Yes, a “happier” job/company wouldn't do this. But it is the reality and if you want to survive/thrive/grow you do need to just take the feedback in stride and incorporate it.

P.S. I really love your last few words “I think I should just handle this criticism positively”. That's exactly the right attitude. Stay positive, make up your mind to learn+improve, and “win” :)

Answer 2

I'm really sorry to hear this - hearing feedback second hand is disheartening to hear the least.

I have a few thoughts:

1. A very mature way to deal with this would be to go to the junior person on the project team and say “I know that things have been tough and I've heard that you're not happy - shall we have a chat?”. Then solicit feedback directly from them. The more that they feel able to speak with you directly the less they'll talk to other people.

2. I'd then go back to the partner on your project and tell them that you've heard this feedback and speak it through with them. Again, if they feel able to speak with you directly then they won't talk to others.

Remember, moving into consulting requires new skills and you're not expect to have them all on day one! You need feedback to know what you should be doing differently - feedback is truly a gift. But it's also a gift that you don't have to accept. You can always give gifts to the charity shop. If you don't feel that the feedback is fair then acknowledge it, but then decide not to accept it. Every interaction involves two people and sometimes the issue isn't you.

Good luck! I'm sorry that this is a bumpy start, but remember that this really won't have any bearing on your long term future. As soon as you start to change your behaviour, people will change how they relate to you.

Answer 3

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation! People will always have their opinions, and it seems somewhat unfair that the partner would bring up something they just overheard from someone else as feedback. However, I think Emily's suggestion is really helpful: I would also recommend initiating a direct conversation with the junior on your team, acknowledging that the project has not always been going perfectly, and ask what feedback or suggestions they have. Then, I would share with the partner that you have listened to and acted on the junior's feedback. This will make you appear proactive, professional, and capable of acting on critical feedback.

Answer 4

Everybody has opinions in Consulting and you dont have to accept every single one of them..

This feedback is hearsay and indirect. Its credible only when it comes to you directly from your project lead/partner. If you acknowledge that you in fact could have done a better job of managing the project and leading the team, then its a different matter. Accept it, make a plan to fix and move on. Please dont be too sensitive or make a big deal out of it.

If not, then you need to chat to the right person to get direct overall project feedback.