An Impossible Turnaround: from PIP to Promotion at BCG
In MBB consulting, things can go south at any time. One bad decision can send consultants into a spiral. That is why the only way to protect your career is to achieve high performance.
Sam called me, his voice shaking.
He’d just been put on a PIP (performance improvement plan), despite being one of the top performers in the office.
He thought his career was over.
Here’s what happened…
Sam was a second-year BCG consultant, weeks away from his PL promotion.
He was doing pretty well, receiving the highest ratings and glowing feedback from partners.
We thought that PL promotion was locked.
Then came the gut punch.
His practice MDP (Managing Director and Partner) blocked his promotion.
No explanation. No clear reason.
If you know BCG, you know what that means:
Reputation in ruins. Clock is ticking. Huge pressure. Every action is under a microscope.
Most consultants would spiral out.
But not Sam.
Instead of quitting, he did the unthinkable:
- Found a new practice.
- Won over new partners.
- Delivered under immense pressure, while fighting the emotional weight of being “one step from the door.”
As a result, three months later, Sam hadn’t just survived.
He was promoted to a PL.
I’ve never seen such a dramatic turnaround.
When Sam told me the news, I was very proud of him but also pissed off.
Because this is the brutal truth about MBB consulting:
Good work alone doesn’t always protect you.
Politics can bury you overnight, even without you knowing what happened.
The only insurance policy?
Become undeniably great, so that even when you’re hit, you can get back stronger.
Sam said it himself:
“I wouldn’t have survived this if I hadn’t improved my performance through your coaching program.”
So, don’t wait until you’re on a PIP to get serious about your performance. By then, there will be no time to improve.
If you’re an MBB consultant and want to bulletproof your career before it’s too late, let’s talk.
Book a Free 1-1 Consultation. No strings attached, just straight answers to your biggest challenges.
P.S. Sam wasn’t failing. He was outperforming. Yet politics nearly buried him. If you’re already struggling with problem-solving or slide-making, imagine how much more vulnerable you are.
Want to learn more about how my coaching program works? Read this post:
The Coaching Program for MBB Consultants.