Do you think people's capabilities are vastly different at your office? And thus exits are different

exit MBB
New answer on Jun 16, 2020
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Anonymous A asked on Jun 14, 2020

Do you think people's capabilities are vastly different at your office?Some people are very successful after and become CEO, and some are not. It seems to me that being at MBB is similar to being at an Ivy, a golden ticket but not everybody can make it to somebody.

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Clara
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replied on Jun 14, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

First of all, and also reading other comments on the post, I challenge you to define what "smart" is for a person.

I think that we are far too narrowed on our defitions, since it´s proven there are over 10 types of intelligence.

This said, in consulting people are truly smart, driven, passionate... it´s a pleasure to work with them.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Ian
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replied on Jun 14, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Yes and no.

There is definitely a table stakes element to getting in. There wasn't a single person I met where I thought "wow, this person is dumb". Every single individual I met at BCG is smarter than the average person...and most are MUCH smarter.

That being said, of course some people are very successful after while others are not - that's as much a life choice as anything! Personally, I don't want to be a Partner, CEO etc. It's not worth the sacrifice to me...and there were others like me as well :)

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Réka
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replied on Jun 15, 2020
3+ years McKinsey consulting experience|Strategy @ Coursera |Oxford MBA

Hi,

Most people I met in MBB were very smart and most people have very good exit opportunities. Now, who becomes a CEO is a function of so many factors besides capabilities - dedication, luck, connections, and individual priorities in life - e.g., some people will say, I want to have a more relaxed career so I can balance my family life, some people will say, I don't even see myself in a large organization anymore and become freelancers, writers, coaches, professors etc. You can define success in so many different ways than being a CEO.

Réka

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Anonymous replied on Jun 14, 2020

Hi,

Success in consulting firms depends on several things:

  • The investment we wish to put in this profession
  • The ability / willingness to learn all the time (sometimes it's exhausting for some people).
  • A bit of luck too. I saw brilliant people who ended up with the wrong people and it backfired. It's rare, but sometimes there is a bit of injustice (like everywhere).

Best

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Axel
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replied on Jun 14, 2020
Bain Consultant | Interviewer for 3 years at Bain |Passionate about coaching |I will make you a case interview Rockstar

Although there is variation, I think pretty much everyone at MBB is smarter than average. Success in consulting and outside is going to depend also a lot on your ambition, people skills, and luck.

Some people realize that there is more to life than working 70 hour weeks and want to do something else after consulting. They may not be successful in the traditional sense but hopefully doing what makes them happy!

-A

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Antonello
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replied on Jun 16, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, I confirm it is a tremendous boost both in terms of skills and personal brand, but they are still not enough for a CEO career :)

Best,
Antonello

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Robert
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replied on Jun 16, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

You are somewhat implying that a CEO position is something worthwile .. that might be true for some people, but when being on common business trips with C-level execs you start to understand their life better in a lot of informal conversations along the way, and at the end they are also just living from paycheck to paycheck (big one, but still).

So many people chose from their side different exit opportunities - it needs to match more areas of life (thinking about personal preferences, family topics, a grain of luck, .....).

Whatever the exit opportunity is, it needs to be the right one for yourself, and not what is considered as successful from public perception.

Hope this helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

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Luca
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replied on Jun 15, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

Of course people capabilities differ between people, even in a really selective place like MBB. More over, your future career does not depend only on your capabilities (unfortunately) but it's also a matter of timing and luck (once that you have the right capabilities, of course).
I would say that consultancy is an assurance for a future in the management world, but it still depends on you if you are gonna be the CEO of an important company or "just" a middle manager.

Best,
Luca

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Anonymous replied on Jun 16, 2020

Dear A,

From my side I would like to add, that every single person can measure success in his/her life very personaly. For some - it's being CEO/partner, for others - start their own business, write a book or medidate in Himalayas.

We used to measure people's success according to accepted beliefs, that actually limit our perception of us and our internal freedom.

So, I would recommend you first to look at your own reflections and try to answer the question "What means being successful for you?"

And also,

if you need any further professional help or advice, feel free to reach out.

Best,

André

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Clara gave the best answer

Clara

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