Dave Balter, CEO of social marketing company BzzAgent, argues that:
“Most highly successful leaders really aren’t the smartest people in any room. Rather, they have something that sets them apart. That something is sponge and stone …”
According to Balter, a sponge is someone who tirelessly seeks out and absorbs new information. They read voraciously. They learn from everyone: mentors, advisors, peers, and heroes. A stone is someone who is fearless, unstoppable, and engaged in multiple projects at once.
By employing these strange metaphors, Balter was trying to highlight how hard some individuals are willing to work to seek out, absorb, and use new information to gain an advantage and break through barriers. This is also a perfect analogy for how consultants work and thrive.
In this article, we will discuss why consultants, especially those at entry level, should view themselves as a sponge, and how they can effectively soak up information to help them excel in their careers.
How can you become a sponge?
Any diligent, goal-driven, and curious individual could be considered a sponge. They constantly seek out new information and find creative ways to incorporate it into their work.
As an intellectually stimulating industry, it is natural for consultants to play this role and to soak up as much information and as many skills as possible.
The key driver in consulting is helping clients solve complex challenges. Before a solution is crafted, a rigorous process of hypothesis generation, trial-and-error, and critical reflection needs to be undertaken. The knowledge and skills acquired during this process are generally not industry specific, and can be used to tackle problems in a wide range of sectors and functional areas.
Below are three simple steps that you can follow to become more of a sponge.
1. Have a teachable spirit
There is always something new to learn. Consulting will afford you the opportunity to study leading businesses in diverse industries.
In this environment, the best teachers will be your managers, mentors, and colleagues. Your goal as a sponge should be to build a strong network of people who you can learn from and who will be willing to help you. With every problem you encounter, ensure that you carefully consider the issue, have a theory about what is causing it, ask questions, and know how to place the issue within the larger story of the business and the project you are working on.
2. Read hungrily
Invest in personal growth by feeding your brain with relevant content about your industry, other industries, and related trends. Be selective about what you read. Choose thought leaders with fully fleshed out ideas and relevant content. Find podcasts that will help enrich your mind.
A sponge will read and listen to information that they can absorb and use. Reading will not only improve your content knowledge but also your comprehension, communication skills, and vocabulary. It can also give you a broader perspective and expand your ability to interact and participate in client discussions. In the famous words of Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.”
Some podcasts I would highly recommend include:
- Strategy Skills Podcast – This is a great podcast where industry experts and partners from consulting firms like BCG and McKinsey share tips, tools, and techniques around problem-solving. Through this podcast you can gain insights and skills that consultants from the Big 4 would use without having to work for a consulting firm.
- Craft of Consulting Podcast – I would recommend this podcast for anyone struggling with work-life balance. Deb Zahn, the host of the podcast, and her consulting guests share their experience and insights on how to succeed within consulting. Consultants talk about the do’s and don’ts in management consulting and what to expect from clients.
- The McKinsey Podcast – This is one of my favourites. As McKinsey is widely considered the world’s top consulting firm, this podcast will allow you to gain insights into the firm, and to learn about the latest trends in business, consulting, and the different industries that McKinsey works with. The podcast covers McKinsey technology, strategy and leadership, marketing, and operations and how these different roles affect clients and the firm’s own functioning.
3. Boldy speak your mind
Great consultants are individuals who can identify, analyse, and understand client problems. However, it is the individual who is bold and confident enough to suggest practical solutions that becomes influential.
A sponge not only absorbs information but is also able to know when and how to use it. Having done the learning, research, and networking, you also need to confidently speak your mind.
Final thoughts
Management consulting can be a satisfying career for an individual who is driven by solving complex problems and is willing to constantly absorb and apply new information.
You may not get it right at first, but with every project you will learn more and become better able to create value for your clients. Consistency and persistence are key.
Thanduxolo Love Mtsweni is a Management Consultant Analyst at Accenture in South Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Administration in International Relations and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PDM- Business Administration). She is passionate about empowering the youth, and advocating for better youth employment opportunities.
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