SITUATION

An engineering researcher reached out, feeling increasingly frustrated in his job. He believed his technical expertise was undervalued, and he felt faster and more skilled than many of his colleagues. His manager didn’t acknowledge his contributions, which left him disengaged and questioning his future. While he dreamed of becoming a management consultant, he had no clear path forward and even considered pursuing an MBA to support his corporate ambitions. However, he felt stuck and unsure of how to take the next step.

STRATEGY + RESULTS

To gain clarity, we started by exploring where he envisioned himself in three years. When he stated management consulting as his goal, we shifted the focus to what was currently holding him back. A deep dive into his daily work routine revealed that, while he excelled technically, he saw himself as better than his colleagues and had little engagement in team support or collaboration.

Recognizing that technical skills alone weren’t enough to advance his career, I introduced the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)—his ability to support, motivate, build relationships, and understand different perspectives. We worked on strategies to slow down, become more open to collaboration, and connect with colleagues and managers strategically. He also received a book on emotional intelligence, which he actively studied and applied.

By implementing team engagement techniques and strengthening professional relationships, he quickly realized that communication, relationship-building, and visibility were key drivers for career progression. Within two years, he was headhunted for a managerial position at a mid-sized company, and today, he is a Management Consultant at a top firm in Scandinavia—successfully achieving his long-term career goal.