Due to contract agreements and respect for the consulting firm, I will not disclose any details regarding my work. Especially on the vast (and largely unrestricted) internet.
As some of you know, I’m required to fulfill a 200-hour internship this summer for my graduate degree requirements. With my background in museum work, I wanted to find something outside of the museum realm, something that dealt with advocacy, best practices and the like. With these goals in mind, I decided to investigate the consulting world and was lucky enough to secure an internship with a very successful consulting firm that works strictly with arts organizations.
I’m inspired by my project this summer and cannot wait to start. This is where the vicarious learning comes into play...
My supervisor and I had planned to meet in the city today. I had my outfit picked out, notepad and pens packed in my purse and brain ready. Late last night I received an email from my supervisor exclaiming she was stuck in San Francisco due to thick fog. Boo-urns.
Understanding and flexibility. Two traits that I already know are a part of an internship, or really any job. I feel however, that the life of a consultant requires a higher level of these two qualities. With so many factors that are simply out of one’s control, one would have to be a master of keeping an open and patient mind. Really, two characteristics we all could benefit from adopting.
Ultimately, I think it’s a balance of these and strong communication skills that’ll shape any successful businessperson. That said however, the business world is a competitive creature. Certain people respect grit, while others appreciate understanding— catch 22, right? I’m not suggesting to be easy prey or to be the big-bad-business-bully (think Christian Bale in American Psycho, minus the serial killing of course). Moral of the story: be compassionate, but not a pushover— it’s all about a healthy balance.
What better way to test the waters of a possible career (add about 10+ years of experience onto my résumé) than to learn and observe from the best? I can’t wait to start on Monday.
What do you think are important personality traits needed to be successful in the business world?
1 comment:
I think those two are probably the most important for the business world, not that I know much about that kinda stuff (yet).
Definitely being able to balance sternness/not being a push over with compassion/understanding - you CAN be a hard-arse and make life miserable for others while moving up that chain of command, but what joy in life will that bring you or those who work with you?
I think you should also learn the 6th sense of reading people. Probably will be useful when people are BSing you (no, I don't stereotype business people haha).
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