The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

Michael J. Lopez, a former managing director at EY and KPMG and author of "Change: Six science-backed strategies to transform your brain, body, and behavior," shares his insights on navigating change management. He discusses how personal experience shapes consulting approaches and the unique challenges of leading in a hybrid work environment. Michael emphasizes that change is a gradual process requiring time and effort, and he explores the role of AI in consulting while affirming the irreplaceable value of human intuition.

Explore the world of digital transformation consulting through the eyes of a technology leader. Discover the challenges of balancing client expectations with ongoing skill development. Gain insights on navigating ambiguous requirements while leading teams through rapid tech changes. Learn the importance of communication and strategic thinking in strengthening client relationships. The discussion also touches on building a future vision and aligning stakeholder goals in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Nilanjana Dasgupta, a psychology professor at the University of Massachusetts, discusses her impactful research on implicit bias and diversity science. She reveals how media representation can transform attitudes and emphasizes the need for evidence-based strategies in creating inclusive cultures. Nilanjana shares her personal immigrant journey, tackling challenges of identity and discrimination while highlighting community support. She critiques traditional diversity training, advocating for clear evaluation criteria and authenticity in the workplace to combat biases.

Choosing the right office location for consulting careers can shape your future. Familiarize yourself with cultural fits and support systems in various regions. Emerging markets present unique challenges and opportunities, differing from developed economies. Established locations like Germany offer advantages, but face issues like the 'cool partner syndrome.' Language skills are crucial for international roles, especially in Europe and North Africa. The decision to stay local or go global requires careful consideration of professional growth and experience.

Consultants often grapple with choosing a specialization, and exploring diverse experiences can build essential problem-solving skills. The podcast emphasizes the need to avoid early specialization, advocating for a broad journey through various sectors. Analytical skills are essential, even in non-technical fields, making it vital for aspiring consultants to delve into different areas first. Valuable resources are shared to aid this exploration and help define a clear path in consulting careers.

Join Dave Durand, a nine-figure founder and acclaimed author, as he shares invaluable insights from his journey in building and scaling businesses. He emphasizes embracing life as an adventure, advocating for a shift in hiring and interview strategies to foster authenticity. Dave discusses the importance of cultivating a strong organizational culture, and balancing personal responsibilities with professional success. He also explores the joys of parenthood and the value of continuous self-improvement through disciplined actions.

In this episode, we dive into the art and science of creating consulting storyboards early in a strategy study. We'll address a thoughtful question from Henry, a subscriber, about how consultants at firms like McKinsey, etc. can prepare storyboards so quickly without pre-determined answers. You'll learn: - Why starting with the objective function is key. - How decision trees, hypotheses, and targeted analyses guide our approach. - Common mistakes in communication and how to avoid them. If you're ready to sharpen your consulting skills, get three exclusive gifts: Nine Leaders in Action eBook: https://specialoffers.firmsconsulting.com/gift McKinsey & BCG Winning Resume: https://firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Well-Managed Strategy Study Guide: https://firmsconsulting.com/overallapproach Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/-BbNqxtryHQ?si=XuAEOuzbjh2pIjXV

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 511, an interview with the author of The Imagination Emporium: Creative Recipes for Innovation, Duncan Wardle. In this episode, Duncan discusses how to promote creativity in business and explains how the subconscious mind generates better ideas when we're not at work. He introduces tools like "What If," "Where Else," and "How Else" to help teams think differently. The discussion also covers how businesses can adapt to AI advancements while maintaining human touch and creativity. His book, The Imagination Emporium, presents these concepts through characters that represent different aspects of innovation. Duncan Wardle is the former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, where he spent 30 years fostering groundbreaking ideas. He now helps organizations like Apple, the NBA, and Spotify redefine problem-solving with practical tools that make innovation accessible and creativity actionable. Get Duncan's book here: https://tinyurl.com/5n783ud5 The Imagination Emporium: Creative Recipes for Innovation 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

Tom Muccio, author of *Collaborative Disruption*, discusses his pivotal role in transforming Procter & Gamble's relationship with Walmart from adversarial to a thriving partnership. He shares insights on breaking down corporate silos, fostering collaboration, and aligning goals, resulting in explosive growth from $350 million to $8 billion. Tom emphasizes the importance of transparent communication, innovative thinking, and servant leadership in creating a culture of recognition and accountability. His groundbreaking strategies have since influenced countless customer-supplier relationships globally.

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 509, an interview with a renowned innovation cultivator, speaker, and founder of Creativity Partners, Jamie Woolf. In this episode, Jamie shared her remarkable experience working at Pixar under Ed Catmull's leadership and explained its unique culture that combines art and technology to drive innovation. She explained the concept of "constructive disruption" at work and how leaders can build healthy, innovative, and creative workplaces where everyone feels free to speak up, be heard, and support employees in bringing their authentic selves to work. Jamie Woolf was the first Director of Culture at Pixar Animation Studios where she was recruited to be a force for "constructive disruption." Jamie has 30+ years of experience practicing organizational psychology and draws on her impactful work with organizations like Google, Dreamworks, University of California, and Pixar Animation. Visit Jamie's blog here: https://www.creativity-partners.com/blog 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