How can you move up from consultant to manager or partner?

1 Know your strengths and gaps

The first step to move up from consultant to manager or partner is to assess your own strengths and gaps as a consultant. What are your areas of expertise, your unique value propositions, and your differentiators? What are the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that you need to develop or improve to take on more responsibility and leadership? How do you measure your performance and feedback? How do you align your personal and professional development plans with your firm's expectations and standards? By knowing your strengths and gaps, you can identify your growth opportunities and leverage your potential.

2 Build your network and reputation

The second step to move up from consultant to manager or partner is to build your network and reputation within and outside your firm. Who are the key stakeholders, influencers, and decision-makers that you need to connect with, impress, and trust? How do you communicate your value, achievements, and aspirations to them? How do you cultivate and maintain strong relationships with your clients, colleagues, mentors, and sponsors? How do you demonstrate your credibility, reliability, and integrity in every interaction? By building your network and reputation, you can increase your visibility, influence, and recognition.

3 Expand your scope and impact

The third step to move up from consultant to manager or partner is to expand your scope and impact as a consultant. How do you go beyond delivering high-quality work and solving problems for your clients? How do you generate new business opportunities, create innovative solutions, and drive strategic change? How do you lead, coach, and inspire your team members, peers, and junior consultants? How do you contribute to your firm's culture, values, and vision? By expanding your scope and impact, you can demonstrate your value-added, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills.

4 Adapt to different situations and challenges

The fourth step to move up from consultant to manager or partner is to adapt to different situations and challenges that you may encounter as a consultant. How do you cope with uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity? How do you deal with difficult clients, stakeholders, or situations? How do you manage your time, energy, and stress? How do you balance your work and life priorities? How do you learn from your failures and successes? By adapting to different situations and challenges, you can show your resilience, flexibility, and growth mindset.

5 Seek feedback and guidance

The fifth step to move up from consultant to manager or partner is to seek feedback and guidance from others who can help you improve and advance as a consultant. Who are the people who can give you honest, constructive, and actionable feedback on your work, skills, and behaviors? Who are the people who can mentor, coach, or sponsor you in your career development and progression? How do you solicit, receive, and act on their feedback and guidance? How do you thank, acknowledge, and reciprocate their support? By seeking feedback and guidance, you can enhance your learning, development, and performance.

6 Be proactive and persistent

The sixth and final step to move up from consultant to manager or partner is to be proactive and persistent in pursuing your career goals. How do you set clear, realistic, and ambitious goals for yourself and your team? How do you track your progress and achievements? How do you communicate your aspirations and readiness to your firm's leaders? How do you handle rejection, disappointment, or setback? How do you celebrate your wins and celebrate others' wins? By being proactive and persistent, you can increase your motivation, confidence, and success.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?