Management consulting is known for its difficult work-life balance, with most consultants having to work 50 to 80 hours a week to get the job done. But it doesn't have to be that way. With the right steps, it is possible to achieve a healthy work-life balance in management consulting. Let's start by getting a clear picture of what a typical work schedule looks like for a consultant.
It doesn't include a 1-hour lunch break, although you can take an hour at night for dinner or ride a taxi to a hotel. If work-life balance and consulting staff gets off track at some point, remember to look at the big picture. To maintain a healthy work-life balance in management consulting, you need to focus solely on work related to consulting and take advantage of technology. Staying physically and mentally fit is also important.
Jenny Rae gives an inside look at the work-life balance you can expect when working at McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Deloitte and other management consulting firms. MBB firms encourage their consultants to find out what works best for them, and work-life balance — within the limits of what's reasonable in a customer service industry — is considered a worthy objective. Work-life balance is often one of the main determinants of the job or role you choose to play, and it's a major question for prospective consultants. The myth of consulting about work-life balance is that you have it all the time and it's the type of field you dedicate yourself to building a sustainable lifestyle.
A consultant's working hours are affected by the project schedule, the type of project and the travel required, as well as by the way in which their manager and team manage work-life balance. While long hours and travel time can make balancing work life and consulting staff seem overwhelming, over the course of a year you can expect a mix of more and less demanding projects. In conclusion, it is possible to achieve a healthy work-life balance in management consulting, if certain steps are followed such as focusing solely on work related to consulting, taking advantage of technology and staying physically and mentally fit.
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