To begin with, we learned that resilience turns obstacles into opportunities for growth and success, as facing and overcoming challenges is inevitable in consulting. Problem-solving skills as well as collaboration and good communication are essential to navigating tricky situations. Elina, who jumped in to manage a challenging client project and succeeded in the role, advised to keep the goal always in mind and pointed out that big problems can and should be broken down into smaller parts to address the issues. Moreover, proactively identifying and addressing potential risks pays off in the long term. Thus, with the right mindset and approach, even initially challenging situations can turn into stepping-stone experiences.
Being flexible is second nature to many consultants, but our panelists cautioned against taking too much work just to please others. Karoliina advocated for learning one’s limits so that you know when it is time to ask for help with substance matter or workload, and Ninni pointed out that the best overall results are not achieved by stubbornly trying hard to deliver the best quality at everything, as it is better and more sustainable to consistently deliver good results. Sometimes even a brief break can make all the difference! Laura suggested taking a quick two-minute breather to gather thoughts before delivering difficult news or making tough decisions. Setting boundaries, however, is a continuous process during one’s career and it is crucial for succeeding at work as well as for maintaining a good work-life balance even amidst more stressful times. One concrete tip from Karoliina was to consider personal life events for more realistic goal setting.
Furthermore, building community was one success factor discussed and, while external networks should not be overlooked, our panelists focused on networks within BearingPoint. Karoliina and Ninni both suggested participating in trainings and events as a participant or a facilitator to gain insights, find inspiration, and meet new people. Connecting with colleagues with experiences from different projects, teams or even countries could provide much-needed peer support when, for example, setting goals reflecting on performance. In addition to advancing one’s professional goals, being an active member of the community contributes to general wellbeing as activities such as participation in BearingPoint events or culture and sports clubs can help to both unwind and build social relationships.
Overall, our panelists’ reflections on success and career milestones demonstrated that accomplishments come from embracing challenges. Examples presented included both client-facing work and internal engagements: Ninni described her experiences in organizing a firmwide innovation event, which included unique tasks such as setting up a virtual studio and even delving into the technical side of event production, while Laura highlighted how she thrives in bringing clarity to the hectic early stages of complex projects. Karoliina, whose project deliverables were spot on and continue being actively used by a former client, also described how rewarding it is to see the tangible outcomes from one’s efforts.
Achieving greatness begins with subjecting oneself to new experiences:
If you can't think of a good reason to say no, participate!
Ninni Winter, Manager
With these insights, we encourage everyone to #AccelerateAction by supporting each other in our journeys. Face those obstacles, join the community, be vocal about what you would like to achieve, and embrace opportunities. Happy International Women's Day!
Elli-Maija Virtanen
Senior Technology Consultant
BearingPoint Finland