"(1) be less shy (i.e., speak up more often, ask more questions and be more outgoing with clients as well as colleagues)"
Sometimes I also see fantastic, more junior colleagues who are very intelligent (top results after assessment center and interviews) but who are very quiet when with clients or peers/management. They acknowledge the discussion (nod, look at the speaking person, and show emotions or laugh) but rarely speak up.
We found out that the following aspects might help:
- team events to make folks get acquainted and feel more comfortable among management and peers (off sites, team drinks, informal dinners, team lunches, ..)
- a "lead" in team discussions or brain storming sessions (ie we have a senior manager guide more junior colleagues through a discussion)
- an inclusive environment and "laid back" Friday afternoon where we discuss hobbies, interests and things people are passionate about. As an example, in our team meeting I encourage colleagues to discuss their weekend plans, holiday bookings or even personal events (if the colleague brings up this topic).
In a consultancy environment you should see your peers and team members as people who are there to help you and support you. Even if they speak up more often or simply have more experience, they are on your side! Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions or say "the wrong thing". We had the best client results with open and honest discussions, as crazy as they may seem initially. A consultancy is built on peer support and your consulting network. There are many reasons why they hired you (intelligence being one of them) and it is normal to not have a lot of input in every single area of business. (you should see me when people talk about accounting!).
(2) have a more entrepreneurial mindset.
This one is tricky. What they probably mean is (not entirely sure):
When clients have a problem they can't or won't solve on their own, they need someone external to come in. They typically need a team that:
- thinks outside the box and have a "fresh eye view"
- entails vast experience across other industry segments/businesses and clients (what have XYZ done to solve something similar?)
- comes up with solutions nobody else thought of
- have the interest and motivation to solve a puzzle in a client environment
Many of these elements are mirrored when embarking on an entrepreneurial journey.
What you could do:
- Read books or magazines/media that encourage these business elements and "alternative thinking"
- I personally like biographies of entrepreneurs (what problems have they faced and how were these tackled?)
- join groups or professional events where you can see/learn from business successes and failures (doesn't have to be IRL, there is TED, youtube, ..)
- point 1) may also lead to an entrepreneurial mindset: the more people you speak to, the more diverse are your views. Invite more experienced colleagues to coffee, lunch. Ask them for their opinion on a client mandate (if there is no conflict of interest). Find an official or unofficial mentor within your organization.
- Experience. After 2-3 years you'll have a lot more experience that you can draw from.
Thanks for the suggestions, engaging more with my team will definitely help me in being less shy!
As for the entrepreneurial mindset, what I'm missing sometimes is asking myself the "so what?" of the analysis I'm doing and what are its implications. Instead of receiving work and purely executing it and handing the results, I should have a more critical attitude in terms of how things can be done better, whether it's adding value or not...any tips on how to best implement this?
Networking and social shyness (Originally Posted: 08/30/2016)
I have always been shy. I dont have much friends in school and the majority of teachers hate me. I also have a tense relationship with my dad however im very motivated to get a good job and graduate with a top score from college. People that dont know me describe me as cold and aloof but thats just my appearance, i cant change that!
The only thing that i dont like about life is people and it seems thats exactly what you need to land a decent job. Please advice me, what can i do to become friendlier? I dont drink so dont suggest alcahol as a shyness treatment. I appreciate any comment.
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Ideas from a boutique consulting point-of-view:
"(1) be less shy (i.e., speak up more often, ask more questions and be more outgoing with clients as well as colleagues)" Sometimes I also see fantastic, more junior colleagues who are very intelligent (top results after assessment center and interviews) but who are very quiet when with clients or peers/management. They acknowledge the discussion (nod, look at the speaking person, and show emotions or laugh) but rarely speak up. We found out that the following aspects might help: - team events to make folks get acquainted and feel more comfortable among management and peers (off sites, team drinks, informal dinners, team lunches, ..) - a "lead" in team discussions or brain storming sessions (ie we have a senior manager guide more junior colleagues through a discussion) - an inclusive environment and "laid back" Friday afternoon where we discuss hobbies, interests and things people are passionate about. As an example, in our team meeting I encourage colleagues to discuss their weekend plans, holiday bookings or even personal events (if the colleague brings up this topic).
In a consultancy environment you should see your peers and team members as people who are there to help you and support you. Even if they speak up more often or simply have more experience, they are on your side! Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions or say "the wrong thing". We had the best client results with open and honest discussions, as crazy as they may seem initially. A consultancy is built on peer support and your consulting network. There are many reasons why they hired you (intelligence being one of them) and it is normal to not have a lot of input in every single area of business. (you should see me when people talk about accounting!).
(2) have a more entrepreneurial mindset. This one is tricky. What they probably mean is (not entirely sure): When clients have a problem they can't or won't solve on their own, they need someone external to come in. They typically need a team that: - thinks outside the box and have a "fresh eye view" - entails vast experience across other industry segments/businesses and clients (what have XYZ done to solve something similar?) - comes up with solutions nobody else thought of - have the interest and motivation to solve a puzzle in a client environment
Many of these elements are mirrored when embarking on an entrepreneurial journey. What you could do: - Read books or magazines/media that encourage these business elements and "alternative thinking" - I personally like biographies of entrepreneurs (what problems have they faced and how were these tackled?) - join groups or professional events where you can see/learn from business successes and failures (doesn't have to be IRL, there is TED, youtube, ..) - point 1) may also lead to an entrepreneurial mindset: the more people you speak to, the more diverse are your views. Invite more experienced colleagues to coffee, lunch. Ask them for their opinion on a client mandate (if there is no conflict of interest). Find an official or unofficial mentor within your organization. - Experience. After 2-3 years you'll have a lot more experience that you can draw from.
Thanks for the suggestions, engaging more with my team will definitely help me in being less shy!
As for the entrepreneurial mindset, what I'm missing sometimes is asking myself the "so what?" of the analysis I'm doing and what are its implications. Instead of receiving work and purely executing it and handing the results, I should have a more critical attitude in terms of how things can be done better, whether it's adding value or not...any tips on how to best implement this?
Networking and social shyness (Originally Posted: 08/30/2016)
I have always been shy. I dont have much friends in school and the majority of teachers hate me. I also have a tense relationship with my dad however im very motivated to get a good job and graduate with a top score from college. People that dont know me describe me as cold and aloof but thats just my appearance, i cant change that!
The only thing that i dont like about life is people and it seems thats exactly what you need to land a decent job. Please advice me, what can i do to become friendlier? I dont drink so dont suggest alcahol as a shyness treatment. I appreciate any comment.
Start drinking
Quidem sit vitae porro esse. Fugiat sint est quia et et praesentium beatae.
Eum harum voluptas voluptatibus voluptatibus rem optio. Rerum rerum excepturi non eum aperiam sit nihil.
Praesentium et nostrum voluptates culpa eveniet atque doloremque. Quam id quia incidunt impedit placeat eum. Dolore suscipit velit deleniti aut delectus qui. Tempore quod minus distinctio iste eligendi.
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