Brian Gross, Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group, shares his journey from a dairy farm in Iowa as one of 14 siblings to leading a consulting powerhouse. He highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and listening in leadership. Gross discusses fostering inclusivity and psychological safety in the workplace, influenced by his experiences in the diverse culture at Berkeley Haas. He emphasizes self-awareness in career choices and the need for mental health support within organizations, offering valuable insights into the consulting world.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Farm Roots Shaped Operational Instincts
Brian Gross grew up as one of 14 children on a dairy farm and had never heard of BCG before Haas.
His farm upbringing taught him to fix complex, variable problems and influenced his operational instincts.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Say Yes To Stretch Assignments
When Brian started at BCG during the 2008 crisis he told them to send him anywhere and said "I'll do anything."
Be open to assignments and say yes to stretch opportunities when markets are uncertain.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Know Your Strengths And Improve Weaknesses
Know your strengths and where you need to grow before choosing a career path.
Double down on your weaker skills early to avoid failing in demanding roles.
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Growing up as one of 14 children on a dairy farm in Iowa, Brian Gross had never heard of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). While he never expected to become a leader at one of the world’s largest consulting firms, he did learn a lot about solving problems in complex environments by watching his dad work on the land. Now the chief operating officer of BCG’s North America region, he’s responsible for 1,800 employees across the continent and tackles new challenges every day.
Gross, MBA 08, didn’t always think he’d end up working in human resources. In fact, he started at BCG as a consultant during the 2008 financial crisis while an MBA student at Berkeley Haas—a program he chose for its inclusive culture and the Q@Haas club, which made him feel encouraged to “come out” personally and professionally. It wasn’t until he took a leadership role at the company’s San Francisco office that he discovered a passion for helping others with their own career journeys.
In this episode, Brian Gross discusses the importance of listening, learning, and adapting in conversation with Jash Padhiar and Sarah Intoccia, both MBA 25 and co-presidents of Q@Haas. This interview, co-sponsored by Q@Haas, took place on Sept. 19 as part of the UC Berkeley Haas Dean’s Speaker Series. Bringing in a diverse mix of preeminent business leaders, the Dean’s Speaker Series provides the Haas community with perspectives on effective leadership and opportunities for thought-provoking discussions.
Read more about Q@Haas, the organization for LGBTQ+ MBA students, partners, and allies at Berkeley Haas.
The UC Berkeley Dean's Speaker Series podcast is a production of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. This production is made possible by our:
Haas Events team: Sarah Bottger, Carrie Hults, Meg Fellner
Podcast production team: Jordan Joseffer, Laura Counts, Stella Kotik
Dean’s Speaker Series Student Board: Ashley Wong, Budi Sosrodjojo, David Bravo, Fernanda Ortolan, Luis Sante, Olivia Halas-Dias, Punit Vyas
Dean’s Speaker Series