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CDD Mckinsey BCG Bain boutique firm tier 2

Hello,

I just got promoted to a senior consultant at a consulting firm. I got staffed on a DD. It is the first time I work on a DD. And I am the only one on the project; doing a full CDD. I talked to principal in charge at the beginning of the project and explained to her that it is my first DD and that this type of project and sector is not my strength. Additionally I asked her to get someone on the project to support; she refused for budget constraints. She told me not to worry and she will support but i have to lead. Then I found myself working alone on it from planning to execution; she is very handsoff; barely having 2 45 min call per week. At the beginning, she delayed sending IRL and research request for research team. Everytime we do a revision; she will be okay with what I do. Three weeks into the project, I did a revision with the partner (alone because she was on vacation) who wasn’t happy with the results. After that, she became aggressive. The next day, we did 7hr call reviewing every single nb. I was missing some data and analysis but I tried to explain to her that working on it alone is not fair for me and I wont be performing at the quality needed. But she became more aggressive and kinda of bullying; asking me questions that she knows I won’t know, picking on minor details on the slides, saying stuff like she thought I can do it on my own and someone your level should be doing on his own. I talked to peers in the company and outside company and they all told me that its not fair to work on a full CDD on your own especially that its your first time.

Q1: how should I handle this situation moving forward?

I really want to get out of the project bcz it is really affecting me on many levels but I can’t since its within the industry Im affiliated to and currently its the only project we have.

Q2: Is it a common practice to have 1 person on a project / CDD with no junior and minimal guidance from senior members?

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Laura
Coach
on Oct 08, 2024
Ex-Bain Consultant // DM me to book a complimentary coaching session

It sounds like you're in a challenging situation, and it's important to navigate it carefully. Here’s how you might approach both questions:

Q1: How should I handle this situation moving forward?

  1. Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of all communications, meetings, and feedback. This will help you track the project's progress and provide context if needed later.
  2. Clarify Expectations: Request a meeting with the principal to discuss expectations clearly. Express your concerns about the workload and seek clarification on what success looks like for this project.
  3. Request Regular Check-Ins: Propose more structured check-ins beyond the existing calls. Suggest shorter, more frequent touchpoints to ensure you're aligned and can address issues as they arise.
  4. Seek Feedback Constructively: During your calls, ask for specific feedback on areas where you can improve. This shows your willingness to learn and can help de-escalate aggressive interactions by focusing on development.
  5. Explore Internal Support: If possible, identify colleagues who might have experience in CDDs and could provide informal guidance or insights. Even brief conversations could offer valuable perspectives.
  6. Assess Your Options: If the situation continues to negatively impact your well-being, consider discussing your concerns with HR or a mentor. They might offer additional support or mediation.
  7. Prioritize Self-Care: Take care of your mental and physical well-being. This may include finding ways to manage stress outside of work and ensuring you have a support network. 

Q2: Is it a common practice to have 1 person on a project / CDD with no junior and minimal guidance from senior members?

While practices can vary by firm, it's generally uncommon for a junior consultant to handle a full CDD alone, especially on their first project in that area. Most firms recognize the complexity of such projects and typically provide a team structure, even if it's lean. Minimal support, especially for someone new to the process, can lead to issues with quality and employee morale.

It might be worth discussing this with your peers or seeking insights from your firm’s culture regarding support structures in projects. This context can help you frame your discussions with management about workload expectations and support needs.

Florian
Coach
on Oct 08, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 500+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

Phew, tough situation to be in. Sorry to hear!

Q1 - how long is the situation going to last? DDs are usually very brief so if its another week or two I would stick with it. If it lasts longer, I would escalate to HR/your mentor/buddy in the firm to talk about the best ways to approach this because...

Q2 - ...it is definitely not normal to do this alone in your tenure, not even for more senior consultants.

All the best,

Florian

Fathu
Coach
edited on Oct 08, 2024
Ex-BCG Europe/ME/Africa | 50+ offers from MBB, Kearney, OW | Personalized coaching | Free 15-min intro call

Hello there,

Sorry to hear about your situation.

Your team structure is definitely not common practice. Regarding the path forward, I’d suggest you talk to your career development advisor and senior colleagues who have worked with that Principal and Partner previously so they can give you pragmatic advice.

Also, you should reach out to the staffer for a potential reshuffle if the project spans another >2 weeks and you feel it is unbearable. But if less than 2 weeks, I’d suggest you seek help from peers that understand your situation and can squeeze out some capacity.

Feel free to reach out for further tips.

Fathu

Alessa
Coach
on Oct 08, 2024
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free

Hey! From my experience I would give you the following advice: 

Q1: How to handle the situation?

  • Be assertive: Set up a meeting with the principal and clearly express the challenges of doing the project solo, reinforcing the importance of a collaborative approach for better quality work.
  • Escalate diplomatically: If things don’t improve, consider escalating the situation to HR or a senior leader, explaining the unfair workload and its impact on your performance.
  • Set boundaries: Keep track of your work and communication in writing, and proactively request more guidance to protect yourself from being blamed for shortcomings.
  • Self-manage stress: Focus on staying calm and breaking tasks into manageable pieces to maintain your mental health and avoid burnout.

Q2: Is this common in CDDs? No, it’s uncommon for a full CDD to be staffed with only one person, especially if it’s your first time. Normally, a team with at least some junior support is allocated. Minimal senior guidance is also not typical. The lack of resources is concerning and can compromise the quality of the output.

Hope this helps! 

Alessa

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