Due to the number of different projects during your life as a consultant, you have probably worked with a number of different people. Would you say that you have made close friends down the road? Also because of stressful projects leading to closer ties between teammates?
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I d say the number or rather share of long-term friends you make is no different than attending any other large institution (e.g. large undergrad or postgrad uni) or, for that matter, any huge accumulation of people.
I found most people to be quite ok to get along with, deviations in both good / bad from there of course. At the same time, I think people are there to work and make a career, going out with all your office buddy every weekend and seeing them in the spare time is not the norm for everyone.
At the same time, due to different reasons, I found people to be often transactional and superficial, more high-level networking or pinging instead of focusin in true relationships. I am not saying this is bad or this is their fault - it is just a result of working in a client service business with crazy hours and project-driven lifestyles where you perhaps get to see ppl in your office a couple of hours on a Friday.
Have I made long-lasting relationships? Absolutely - and this goes for both, my colleagues and the clients. Not superficial type of business contacts but close friends I talk to and meet at every chance I get.
Best,
Denis
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Absolutely!
I've made some incredibly close connections (lifers, as they say).
That said, this isn't something that consulting has a monopoly on...every single thing you're a part of in life should lead to this. I have made close friends in High School, College, at my first job (not strategy consulting), during my MBA, through soccer, through Alliance Francaise, in my neighborhood, at bars, on planes, etc. etc.
"Stressful projects" if anything makes it harder to build/create strong relationships. I'll also add, I made 0 friends from any clients I worked with.
I would also add that I made super close friends at BCG despite the stress. I'd have a project with someone for 5 weeks, get along with them excellently, then only see them 6 months later because we were too busy to meet up. I made close friends because BCGers were completely up my alley in terms of cultural fit/mindset. But, if I could have all those people in a different setting I probably would have made more friends!
(edited)
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Hey,
Short answer- YES, I made good long lasting friends.
But stress is not the main factor that helps you build frienships..haha! And not every project is stressful anyway.
Its like any social setup in life- you get on with some people, you don't get on with some people. Majority of the times (not all the time), in my personal experience, I found people to be reasonable and nice. Important thing is for you to be at your best as much as you can, be useful to people and try your best to adjust to the consulting life & expectations. Do this and people will be attracted to you automatically.
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Hello!
100%!
Have u watched Forrest Gump? Do you remember how war brings Bubba and Forrest very closed together? ;) Similarly
Cheers,
Clara
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Yes! Some of my closest friends are from McKinsey. Its not just the stress its also the fact that the peole hired around you are all brilliant and energetic and fun!
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Sure! Such a tense working environment is actually a very good place to find close friends. You know how people behave themselves and if they are trustworthy.
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