Women in Consulting: 5 Keys to Success
Consulting has traditionally been a male-dominated career. But at Prime 8, a woman-owned consulting firm, we broke the gender-based glass ceiling long ago. While we’re proud of that progress and continue to work hard to be a catalyst for change in our industry, there’s still work to be done in our industry.
Over time, we’ve gathered a few tips and tricks for managing these situations to help women build a thriving career they love.
Consider Feedback Selectively
Women in consulting face no shortage of “well-meaning professional advice.” Some may suggest that you come off as stubborn or aggressive because you defend an idea or stick to your position. Others may tell you you’re too soft and that people don’t take you seriously.
There’s a time and a place to listen to feedback. Perhaps there’s a glimmer of truth to observations. But successful women in consulting keep the input of others in perspective and don’t let opinions overshadow what they know to be true based on their skills and experience.
A big part of consulting is being confident in your skills and expertise. You’ve been hired as a consultant for a good reason — you’ve earned your place at the table; be confident in what you know. Letting your best skills and traits shine will help you earn more respect.
Work for a Firm that Knows Your Worth
In 2020, women across industries earned 84 cents for every dollar a man earned. Despite the progress that’s been made to create equal opportunities between men and women, there’s still a glaring gender pay gap in the consulting field.
Prime 8 prides itself on having achieved pay parity. We’re helping to change the fact that there’s typically a disparity in gender pay within the consulting industry at large.
Work with a consulting firm that values your work regardless of gender. This puts you in a better position to earn what your expertise is worth. With a little homework you can learn how a firm sets the pay rates for their consultants. At Prime 8, for example, we negotiate rates with the client at the onset of each project, as well as the renewal stages or at the beginning of the client’s fiscal year. This helps our consultants earn a fair wage and presents the potential for pay increases.
Leverage Flexibility to Create Balance
Balance remains one of the greatest worklife challenges for women. Despite working more than ever, women are disproportionately affected by home responsibilities. It’s both astounding and frustrating that, in the 21st century, women are still the primary caregivers for children and aging relatives and handle the burden of household duties.
Data shows that over half of women are burned out. Overburdened women need balance and flexibility and they need an employer who supports both. Here’s where not all consulting firms are equal. More traditional large firms often require long hours, travel and 24/7 availability. As a smaller, more niche firm, Prime 8’s approach to consulting has flexibility built in front start to finish.
First, we allow consultants to choose projects that not only align with their skills, but also their scheduling needs. Second, we work with clients who generally don’t have a preference for what hours our consultants keep as long as the work gets done. Sure, there are required meetings and calls, but there is tremendous flexibility to arrange timing, for example, to avoid school pickup times.
Our approach offers consultants a better chance at work/life balance which in turn allows them to bring their best to client projects.
Document Your Contributions
We’ve all felt a little over our head at times, doubting our abilities, especially when entering a new project with a new team and new dynamics. Imposter syndrome is common in our industry.
It’s hard for others to see your potential if you can’t see it yourself. Successful women in consulting know and are confident in their value. How? They track their progress.
Develop an intentional practice of looking back on a regular basis. Celebrate small wins. Capture high quality deliverables you’re proud of in a digital portfolio. Hold regular project post mortems with your teams and leverage these to acknowledge the difference you make in your projects, with your teams, and your firm. These practices not only boost your confidence, they will help you showcase your value to future clients
Advocate for Other Women
No one understands the common consulting challenges that women face better than other women. Women can — and should — be diversity champions for each other. Together, you can help change the narrative and create better opportunities for more women.
Use your network to introduce your consultant colleagues to recruiters, agencies, or other consultants. Grow your own network by chatting with other women consultants over coffee, sharing experiences, and swapping stories. Applaud the wins and accomplishments of other female consultants. You never know when you might open a door for someone else (or have one opened for you).
If you’re struggling to see potential in yourself, maybe you can see potential in another woman. Call attention to her strengths and accomplishments. Help her see her value. She might just reciprocate.
Prime 8 is proud to help lead the change that welcomes and encourages women into consulting as a flexible, skill validating career. Our firm is designed from the ground up to provide women with a place at the table and eliminate gender inequities that stifle professional success and satisfaction.
Join us. See our open consulting positions and take the next step in creating a career you love!
