Everyone wears a success mask

Consulting is a stressful environment. It can impose self-doubt on anyone. That is why everyone around you wears a success mask as a coping mechanism, perfecting "Fake it until you make it" approach.

The other day, I chatted with a first-year consultant.

This guy was crushing it!

At least, that's what he told me.

No problems, smooth sailing. Sounds great, right?

But something felt off.

His rating? Average.

Staffing? A struggle.

And there was this undercurrent of... something... in his voice.

Then it hit me.

He had forgotten to take off his 'success mask.'

You know what I'm talking about, don't you?

That shiny veneer we all put on to project confidence and success.

I get it. I really do. I've been there as well.

Early in my consulting career, I'd look around and see brilliant, smart, and successful people.

Meanwhile, I was drowning in self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

So, to survive, I had to put my own success mask on.

As consultants, we perfected the approach of ‘Fake it until you make it.’

Sometimes pushing it to an absurd level.

Years passed, and I understood one simple truth.

Everyone wears a success mask to some degree.

All those smart and brilliant people around me, who I thought were geniuses, also wore their success masks.

The danger comes when consultants forget they are wearing one.

When they start believing their own hype.

They get too comfortable. They stop pushing themselves and stop learning.

Before they know it, they're stuck in the trap of average performance.

So, let me ask you: Are you wearing a success mask?

If you are, it's okay.

But remember to take it off sometimes.

Be honest with yourself about your challenges.

Real growth happens when we're vulnerable enough to admit we don't have all the answers.

Remember, consulting (and life) is not about being perfect.

It's about constantly learning and improving.

But a word of warning.

Don't share your struggles with just anyone around you. It's not safe. You don’t want your peers and leaders to think that you are struggling.

Instead, find an impartial person you can trust who will not judge you.

I know finding these people is hard.

That is why I developed a coaching program for MBB consultants.

I wanted to create a safe environment where consultants could grow fast without fear of looking vulnerable or weak.

If you are an MBB consultant and sick of struggling with performance and development, I want to speak with you. And I want you to feel comfortable taking your mask off.

Book a Free 1-1 Consultation to discuss whether I can help you through my coaching program. There is no commitment, and you can ask any burning questions in a risk-free environment.

Read this post to learn more about the Hero’s Journey coaching program.

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P.S.

Here is a picture of me on my first project in Malaysia, 9 years younger, 15 kg lighter, and not knowing what’s ahead of me.

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