What's the fastest "fast track to Partner/MD" experience you have seen or heard of?

Not just the "oh I'm going to hit the top by 40" story. Real BSDs who either started and stayed within the firm/consulting arm from Level 1 or laterally aligned and skyrocketed. I'm curious to see the difference (if there is any) between management consulting vs strategy consulting, boutique vs mbb vs big 4.

My initial hypothesis would be either extreme diligence and charismatic selling presence, or an ability to break down each project into "another one of those" scenarios and execute with efficiency while maximizing client value.

Coming from a Big 4, to me it seems that the initial "fast-tracking" falls into the latter category, where the final jump is more luck/preparedness in either a sales opportunity or a market/knowledge/tools/people advantage under one's arsenal. There are obviously many people who fall into one side and stay in that swim-lane, possibly due to routine/comfort. A direct example of someone I know who is Partner at 34, built up a regional domain from few resources and guided current/past clients into those services.

Thoughts? Anyone seen this play out our hear from people in your firm/domain/sector?

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