How Consultants Get Smart Fast

Reading, personal spending on books and structured research separate fast studies.

Not Knowing Is Fine

Not knowing an answer is fine for consultants; failing to try to find it is not.

Concrete Thinking

Focuses on literal, physical, or tangible information

Rational Thinking

Grounds conclusions in logic and evidence

Analytical Thinking

Deconstructs information into parts for detailed examination

Consulting Firm vs Platform

Choose the right delivery model

Boutique vs Big-4 vs MBB

Matching Firm Archetype to Specific Strategic and Operational Needs

The Myth of 10,000 Hours

Getting smart fast is a real skill, and it is not the same as mastery.

Private Equity Investment Process

Acquire, grow and exit systematically

Deductive Reasoning

Derives certain conclusions from general premises by logical necessity

Analytical Decomposition Thinking

Breaks down problems into progressively smaller subcomponents

Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Diagnose and address team dysfunctions