So I have decided to stop playing silly games and start acting like a real person instead of a consultant (Probably will leave soon, so don't care if I get fired). Turns out my client loves it, lol.

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Mck1, Well for me it's the small things.

For one if I don't know something, instead of giving people a consulting bs answer, Ill tell them I don't have the slightest idea about what they are talking about, and to let me see what I can dig up

If I google something, I let them know exactly where I found the answer. Or if I have been reading about my project, Ill share my latest learnings. I don't pretend to be an expert at anything I am not, I present myself just as another worker who's figuring out things with them.

If I am not paying attention on a call, and they ask me something I just ask them to repeat since I was distracted.

I talk to them like I talk to my friends, I don't use buzzwords. I actively call out buzzwords out.

This worked out really well recently when presenting a milestone set of deliverables. All of our project teams were getting shredded as they tried to defend themselves.

When it was my team's turn they asked why we hadn't finished a specific part that was expected according to the SoW, I told them I completely missed it and didnt even think about it. They asked when I can have it by, Id answered I had to scope it out, but I would let them know later in the day. The nodded their heads and moved on.

So yeah, its the small things. It feels like other people figured this out a while ago. I am just catching up.

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My leads grow increasingly frustrated with me everyday. Why do we insist on playing silly games if at least for this client, being a real person works?

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OP - sounds like you are now being a good consultant. That's how you should operate. Sounds like the people you work with are scrubs. Honesty and transparency will get you far in most things.

likesmart

I've tried literally everything in my book to try and get rolled off of multiple projects.

Usually every antic either makes the client love me more in some perverse way, or endears me to the team.

I feel like Klinger from MASH.

likefunny

Interested to hear what the “silly games” you used to play were OP and PwC

likehelpful

Being a real person is effective. Also makes it likely you’ll be extended over and over again and the client will never want you to leave.
At least that’s what I’ve found as the downfall to being a real person

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I do the same. They won't let me leave

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So you've been playing silly games? The workplace has no place for that. I'd be very frustrated as your project lead. From the limited context, you sound very immature. Good riddance when you leave consulting. No love lost here.

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For the record, I got my hand slapped for being too casual with the client and having the client starting to skip our leads and go directly to me. Lol, I dont think Ill make it 😂

likefunny

1) It depends on your definition of silly games.
2) It's all about context and delivery. You can be the smartest person in the world but if you lack EQ and context setting for what you want to say then it'll land on deaf ears. Especially true for this day and age.
3) Your leads have a couple extra layers of responsibility that they have to deal with and make decisions based on that. These extra layers may not seem obvious to others sometimes so you need to put yourself in their shoes to provide constructive criticism.

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OP - I tend to naturally want to act this way, and wondering if I should or not! (I’m mostly internal resource now)

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A2, rule of thumb if you act different, better be able to deliver.

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Isn’t this basically the plot of Office Space?

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Love this. This is what we all need. Authenticity

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Yeah, A2, I agree with M1. I think you can pull it off so long as you can deliver and your team will probably hate you. The culture of providing bs answers is crazy.

OP - I am very straightforward but try to “be professional” still...I definitely don’t lie or make stuff up that I don’t know

So ... you’re being authentic then?

SM1, no fighting in the war room!

Sounds like you just want a cookie for all of your hard work... 🍪

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