CONSULTANTS WHO LOVE CONSULTING – PRIYANKA GUPTA, CMC
Q1 In brief, describe how you entered the profession of management consulting, or when did you decide that management consulting was a profession that you wanted to enter?
I was interested in consulting right out of college. What attracted me most was the idea of the variety of going to different clients and to work directly with senior management which will help me to grow faster in my career.
My personal mission is to help people and organizations to become better and accomplish their goals and visions. And I believe consulting is a natural extension of my desire to help others to be successful at an endeavour of their choosing.
Q2 What do you love most about consulting?
Consulting is an intellectual job where you get for venturing into the unknown with a new client on a regular basis. All new assignments or projects have their own set of challenges which broadens our perspective. It’s not a problem for us to fix, it’s a puzzle for us to solve.
As a consultant, the experience gained and the opportunity to make a difference for our clients is unparalleled in any other job. We get to bring our ideas to the table, work to implement those ideas in the real world, and see the results. Every client is different, but the desire to succeed at each project is always there.
Q3 What do you like the least?
Although one of the things I like best about consulting is the variety of moving from project to project at different client sites and learning new industries, it is always hard to leave the client. In a consulting environment, there inevitably comes a time when you move on to the next project and the next client. Saying goodbye is always bittersweet.
Q4 What has been your most satisfying engagement and why?
It’s difficult to choose, all assignments are interesting and satisfying. The most rewarding part is helping a client achieve a significant goal. It’s good to hear the results after implementation. This gives me feeling of accomplishment. I'm grateful that they liked my work and recommended me to someone else.
Q5 What personality trait has helped you the most in your career?
I think my ability to view the “big picture” of an organization and see how all the parts fit together. I am good at breaking complex issues to its core parts and communicate the same into simpler terms.
My biggest strength is my ability to get along with people and build rapport with them so that they can communicate with me openly. I am quickly able to understand the other person’s point of view and can relate to people from all levels of an organization.
Q6 Finally, if you were stranded on a desert island - What is one book and one luxury item you would take with you?
The Bhagavad Gita as a moral guide to my life, which always give me solutions whenever I am stuck. A satellite phone to stay connected and seek help will be my savior :)
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Visit Priyanka's LinkedIn Page to learn more.
