The lessons I learned from the leaders who inspired me: Growing by Growing Others at BCG

Throughout my career, I have benefited from the guidance of the leaders who have inspired me. They have taught me how to think critically, work effectively, and grow continuously in different situations. As a leader, I aim to help my teams achieve their goals and unlock their potential.?

Some of my peers recently asked me to elaborate on my leadership style, and this blog post is the outcome. As I wrote down my thoughts and shared them with some, they urged me to share my thoughts widely. This post attempts to put a structure around something that has become an integral part of how I work and grow my teams.?

The first and most crucial factor influencing my leadership style is how I approach hiring and developing people. As part of Talent Acquisition, my philosophy aligns with how we approach these topics at BCG. We call it “grow by growing others.” This means I do not only focus on the growth and empowerment of those who work with me. I offer them opportunities to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and receive constructive feedback. I also celebrate their successes and support them in their failures. And finally, I treat them as partners and trust them to deliver their best work.?

Here are some specific steps I apply to follow this philosophy:?

• Getting Feedback: Start by seeking feedback from my peers, managers, and team members on my strengths and areas of improvement. I enjoy constructive criticism, and I use it to learn and grow. The trick here is that feedback is not to be taken personally or defensively but as an opportunity to improve myself and my work.?
• Providing Feedback: Secondly, the most critical part is providing feedback to my team members on their performance and potential. What works best in such situations is honesty, respect, and support. Feedback should always acknowledge their achievements and their challenges. When talking about challenges, always talk about how to overcome them. Feedback should not be sugarcoated or avoided but delivered helpfully and respectfully.?
• Delegating: Next is delegating tasks to team members that match their skills and interests. Autonomy and responsibility are given to them to complete them. I trust them to deliver their best work and be held accountable for the results. Micromanaging or interfering with their work is not my style. The focus is guidance and support as and when needed.?
• Mentoring: The fourth step is coaching and mentoring team members to help them develop new skills, overcome new challenges, and achieve their goals. Knowledge, experience, and insights are key unlocks here and must be shared with them. Doing this encourages the team to ask questions and seek guidance. Views or solutions are not imposed on them and this empowers everyone to find their answers and approaches.?
• Celebrating: Finally, celebrating and supporting team members in their successes and failures. This is the most important step. Appreciation and gratitude go a long way in making people feel valued. At the same time, emotional and practical support should be provided when they face difficulties or setbacks. We avoid blaming or criticizing individuals for their mistakes instead the focus is on helping to learn from these situations and moving on.?

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These steps are not only applicable to hiring and developing people but also to building and maintaining a strong team culture.??

Over time I have come to realize that at BCG, we value collaboration and long-term vision. We look for individuals who can bring their strengths and enhance our collective capabilities. It has never been about going after quick wins when it comes to people rather it’s about investing in people who will help us travel further together. This approach resonates with the African proverb:??

‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’??

These are some of the lessons I have learned from the leaders who have influenced my career and from my own experience as a leader.?

If you want to join a team that cares about collaboration, empowerment, and long-term vision, I invite you to explore the opportunities at BCG. You can also contact me to share your thoughts or questions about leadership. I would love to hear from you and learn from your perspective. You can also explore careers at BCG by visiting https://careers.bcg.com/??