635: How to Disrupt a System That Was Built to Hold You Back (with Northwestern University Professor, Lan Nguyen Chaplin)

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we spoke about the reality of exit opportunities in management consulting.   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Get Exclusive Episode 1 Access of How to Build a Consulting Practice: www.firmsconsulting.com/build   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

1 Okt 202515min

In this episode, Krista White, coauthor of Culture Design and cofounder of Culture Design Lab explains how leaders can treat culture as a strategic lever rather than an HR initiative. 1. Culture is inseparable from strategy Krista stresses that culture cannot be treated as background. It determines whether strategic plans survive contact with execution. "We were noticing that there was a gap in people knowing how to connect culture with strategy. Our hope is that this book serves as a practical guide." Leaders who design culture deliberately create alignment and resilience. Those who ignore it risk drift and underperformance. 2. Leadership presence remains essential Digital tools cannot replace visible leadership. "Everyone should be able to get five minutes with you. The CEO should not be a high on a hill person who is not reachable." Walking the floor and observing frontline conditions show employees what leadership values. 3. Rituals make values real Rituals translate values into behavior. "The rituals that stick are the ones tied directly to your business model and purpose not borrowed from another industry." 4. Resistance is part of the process Cultural change often meets skepticism. Krista advises leaders to treat adoption like marketing. "Think of it like marketing. You need many touches before someone clicks buy. Culture change requires consistency and repetition." Consistency reduces resistance. 5. Context shapes culture Best practices cannot be copied blindly. "I used to think there was one right way for culture to look. I learned it is industry and context dependent." The principle is to design culture that fits your strategy and market position. 6. Leadership lessons that endure Krista learned two lessons from her father James White that remain relevant for executives Discipline and preparation: "Practice makes perfect." Balance and resilience: Never sacrificing family relationships even under pressure. 7. A broader leadership mission Krista frames her work around freedom and engagement. "My why is to do my part in creating a freer and more joyful world for everyone. For me that is through storytelling." Organizations perform best when employees can bring their full selves to work. 📚 Get Culture Design here: https://shorturl.at/NVrs1 Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

29 Sep 202549min

What is your understanding of the consulting culture or philosophy? What do you think defines and separates the top consulting firms from the others?   For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we spoke about the real culture of consulting firms apart from what people think it is and what distinguishes great consulting firms from others.   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

22 Sep 202524min

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we discuss the situation of those people who may not have had the best undergraduate school, are not landing interviews, or do not impress their interviewer too well and how to fix this kind of problem.   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Get Exclusive Episode 1 Access of How to Build a Consulting Practice: www.firmsconsulting.com/build   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

15 Sep 202513min

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we discuss the importance of confidence in management consulting and how the lack of confidence will impact your performance in crucial situations.   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

10 Sep 202512min

For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we discuss the responsibilities of a management consultant, how they should act and how they manage certain kinds of situations. We also cover the type of jobs that management consultants do and the skills they need.   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

8 Sep 202518min

What does it mean when someone tells you that you need to be good at math?    For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we discuss the common mistakes when doing math, how to structure your math problems, and what you should do to improve your math skills.   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

3 Sep 202512min

How do you decide on which firm you want to join?  For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we discuss the decision-making criteria for choosing a firm, the three levels of consultant, and the impact of learning from a senior partner in your career.   Here are some free gifts for you:   Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

1 Sep 202514min