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Anonymous User
Need like for completing profile. Thanks.
Visual Storyteller
Additional Posts in Consulting
Is there a quick way to earn status on delta?
Anyone else on an all nighter?
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Rising Star
Introverts can and do excel in many positions.
If you listen to some of the best they rarely speak. They listen, absorb, digest, and synthesize with very specific feedback.
I am an introvert. I can be great in social settings, no one would ever guess I’m introverted. I just need my quiet time, even if that’s 5 minutes in the bathroom or volunteering to grab Starbucks or lunch etc
Disagree. Channel your talents appropriately at a firm who supports all types.
EY3 I think you forgot to read the last few words of my post.
And yes I am, for my entire career.
I disagree. I think this job can be done by nearly all fish in the OCEAN (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism)
Chief
Seems like a lot of people don’t actually understand what introversion means, even those claiming to be introverts. The core difference be introverts and extroverts is where they get their energy from - by having time alone or by being around people. Being an introvert has nothing to do with being talkative or outgoing or being able to command a room, it just means that after doing all that you need to be alone.
The biggest problem I’ve faced as an introvert is that this job takes so much out of you Mon-Fri by constantly being with people, that I don’t have the energy I would like to have to fully engage in a social life on the weekends. I’m good at my job and I like what I do, but my personality keeps me from having the work life balance I need to make this sustainable.
Chief
Ugh, thank you!! I was scrolling through these comments just hoping someone would say this. Lots of people here need to learn more about the definition of introvert vs. extrovert. Not only is it about how you recharge/what drains you, it’s also not a mutually exclusive concept, it’s a scale.
Rising Star
Agree especially as an experienced hire at Deloitte
Disagree - you can be a loud introvert that does well in social settings but needs time to yourself. And vice versa
Making a personal choice not to fit in is like I said... personal. I know plenty of people that don’t mind it as long as they can balance it with no social time on weekends, etc.
Consulting is a team game. When it’s time to schmooze the potential client over drinks, that’s when one of my overly extroverted partners shines. When it’s time to impress the potential client with the depth of our knowledge and experience, that’s my turn. And, I’m hyper-introverted.
I recommend a book called Quiet by Susan Cain
Chief
Introvert, people think I’m an extrovert. I have faked it till I made it my entire career by recharging and having my personal space
Pro
As am introvert, I don’t think it’s entirely true. But extroverts and people with Type A personalities tend to have an advantage over others for sure
Chief
Disagree. Most principals I have known self-identify as introverts.
Introverts can be very socially adept. The difference is primarily preferences in interacting with individuals vs. larger groups and whether large group interactions give you energy or drain energy.
I think introversion is better for consulting—introverts tend to get energized by diving deep into subjects and analysis that extroverts would find boring.
Disagree completely.
Curious about what the MBB folks think
Rising Star
Yeah I was going to say as an analytics consultant/data scientist I can kind of get away with it, despite being client facing
Lots of higher up folks are closeted introverts, and insecure overachievers.
Disclaimer: Introverted does NOT mean shy as many people seem to believe
Pro
Disagree. I am introvert and did MBA then now consulting. You just need to learn how to reset/recharge after being with people all day
U will become extrovert don’t worry
Rising Star
As an introvert, I can tell you that you will have to push yourself harder - Building client relationships, managing your team, keeping them happy. It’s all harder when you’re an introvert, but it’s definitely doable.
clearly No! your opinion is very myopic.
Consulting is not just chattering up with clients and be fluent in presentation.
It means delivery , execution and knowledge and insights that you bring to table.
To succeed as an introvert, I have to make insight comments when I speak, so people want to hear what I say