After publishing my recent article on the challenges of reducing reliance on consultants in the workforce, I received a flurry of comments and was directed to a fascinating lecture by Steve Jobs. Jobs, famously critical of external consultants, believed their narrow focus often prevented them from delivering truly impactful insights. While his perspective is compelling, opinions on the role of consultants remain deeply divided. Personally, I continue to see immense value in leveraging consultants within organizations. And it’s important for consultants to find purpose in their careers. Still, Jobs’ critique offers valuable food for thought.
Steve Jobs Thoughts on Consultants
In a 1992 lecture at MIT, the late Apple founder offered sharp advice for consultants: “You should do something.” He didn’t stop there. Jobs argued that consulting lacks critical components of meaningful work—autonomy, opportunities for failure, and room for growth.
“I think that without owning something over an extended period of time, like a few years, where someone has a chance to take responsibility for one’s recommendations, where one has to see one’s recommendations through all action stages and accumulate some scar tissue for the mistakes and pick one’s self up off the ground and dust one’s self off, one learns a fraction of what one can. You do get a broad cut at companies, but it’s very thin.”
– Steve Jobs at 1992 MIT lecture
Jobs once compared limited experience to looking at pictures of fruit on a wall. “You never get three-dimensional. You never taste it,” he said. This perspective might resonate strongly with younger Gen Z consultants, many of whom are now prioritizing purpose and fulfillment over the traditional allure of stable, high-paying consulting jobs. For these individuals, Jobs’ challenge to “do something” may spark a shift toward roles that emphasize ownership, accountability, and hands-on learning.
Let’s explore the importance of finding purpose in your career and the essential skills needed to thrive as a consultant. These insights might also shed light on the ongoing debate about the true value consultants bring to the table.
Why Finding Purpose in Your Career Matters
A growing number of Gen Z professionals are focusing on purpose and fulfillment in their careers—values that often take precedence over financial stability or conventional success. This marks a clear departure from previous generations, who tended to prioritize job security and high salaries.
But why is finding purpose so important, particularly in consulting?
For starters, a sense of purpose significantly boosts job satisfaction. When your work feels meaningful and connected to a greater cause, it becomes deeply rewarding. This sense of fulfillment enhances motivation, productivity, and overall happiness at work.
Purpose-driven careers also tend to align with personal passions and values. This alignment fosters authenticity and fulfillment, creating a sense of harmony between your professional and personal identity.
Purpose in the Consulting Industry
In consulting, a strong sense of purpose is essential. Consultants face the challenge of solving complex problems for their clients, and without a clear sense of direction, it’s easy to lose motivation. Purpose acts as a compass, keeping consultants engaged and committed to delivering impactful solutions.
Consultants who are passionate about their work go the extra mile, delivering exceptional results and fostering trust with their clients. Their dedication often translates to creative problem-solving and innovative ideas, setting them apart in a highly competitive industry.
Moreover, purpose becomes particularly vital in navigating challenges. When faced with tough decisions, competing priorities, or unexpected obstacles, a clear purpose provides clarity and guidance, enabling consultants to find effective solutions and stay resilient under pressure.
The Importance of Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is another crucial aspect for consultants to possess. It involves having a deep understanding of one’s own strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. This self-awareness allows consultants to effectively communicate their abilities and limitations to clients, as well as identify areas for personal growth and improvement.
Furthermore, self-awareness can also help consultants build stronger relationships with their team members and clients. By recognizing their own emotions and behaviors, consultants can better understand how they may impact others and make necessary adjustments to maintain healthy working relationships.
Effective Communication Skills
Effective communication skills are essential for any consultant. Consultants must be able to clearly articulate their ideas and recommendations to clients, team members, and other stakeholders. They must also be able to actively listen and understand the needs and concerns of those they are working with.
One key aspect of effective communication is being able to adapt your communication style to different situations and audiences. Some clients may prefer a formal approach, while others may respond better to a more casual or conversational style. Being aware of these nuances can greatly improve communication effectiveness.
Consultants should also be skilled in nonverbal communication, such as body language and tone of voice. These cues can convey just as much information as words, so it’s important for consultants to pay attention to their own body language and how it may be perceived by others.
Active Listening
Another crucial skill for consultants is active listening. This involves not only hearing what the client is saying, but also fully understanding and empathizing with their perspective. Active listening requires undivided attention, open-mindedness, and asking clarifying questions to ensure full comprehension.
Effective consultants also know how to ask the right questions to gather necessary information and guide the conversation in a productive direction. They are able to listen without judgment and create a safe space for clients to share their thoughts and concerns.
Critical Thinking
Consulting work often involves complex problems that require critical thinking skills. Consultants must be able to analyze data, identify patterns, and make connections in order to come up with creative solutions. They must also be able to think outside of the box and challenge traditional ways of thinking in order to find innovative solutions.
Critical thinking is a crucial skill for consultants because it allows them to approach problems from multiple perspectives and consider all possible outcomes before making recommendations. It also enables them to identify potential risks and develop contingency plans in case things don’t go as expected.
To develop critical thinking skills, consultants need to continuously exercise their analytical abilities and practice asking probing questions. They should also stay informed about industry trends and best practices, which will help them stay current and think creatively about potential solutions.
Adaptability
Consultants often work on a variety of projects with different clients in different industries. This requires them to be highly adaptable and able to quickly learn new information and processes.
- Pro Tip: One way to enhance adaptability is by seeking out projects in unfamiliar industries or areas of expertise. This will challenge consultants to think outside of their comfort zone and further develop their adaptability skills.
Consultants must also be flexible in their approach, as each client may have different expectations, timelines, and goals. Being open-minded and willing to adjust plans accordingly is crucial for success in consulting.
Conclusion
While Steve Jobs’ perspective on consultants may hold some merit, consulting remains a dynamic and rewarding career that offers diverse opportunities and challenges. Success in this field requires a unique blend of skills, including exceptional communication, problem-solving, time management, and adaptability.
The ever-evolving nature of consulting fosters continuous personal growth and development, ensuring that no two days are the same. With a commitment to lifelong learning and the right mindset, consultants can excel in this fast-paced industry while delivering meaningful results for their clients. Though consulting may not suit everyone, for those drawn to its demands and rewards, it offers a fulfilling and impactful career path.
Click here for a post on the steps to success as an independent consultant.