Dan Helfrich’s Post

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Team Captain, Chair, and CEO @ Deloitte Consulting LLP

Take it from me, the best antidote to a long, tiring week is to spend time in animated conversation with hundreds of talented, motivated, interesting teammates – especially when they are in their FIRST WEEK OF WORK EVER as full-time professionals. Last week, I had the absolute privilege to meet with Deloitte Consulting's latest cohort of campus hires at Deloitte University. As the captain of a team consisting of 85,000+ members, I often find spending time with the newest and youngest minds of our team to truly be one of the highlights of my role as CEO. This cohort joins us at an exhilarating time when the consulting industry is experiencing significant opportunity and immense change. The traditional consulting profession is transforming and converging with software and product engineers, data scientists, and designers. When we combine our new campus hire cohorts with our more experienced teammates from across industries (some of them in career 2 or 3, others who began decades ago at Deloitte) – that intersection of people, skills and experience – is where the magic happens for our clients and our teams. Together, we are shaping the future of consulting as we adapt to the evolving needs of our clients and the ever-changing landscape of the private and public sectors. The discussions with this cohort left me with an overwhelming sense of optimism and excitement for the future of our team. Witnessing their enthusiasm, drive, and passion for purpose inspires me and reaffirms my belief in a dynamic, prosperous future. One last thing (and request for all of you): while on stage I did receive the inevitable (but nevertheless thought-provoking) question about one piece of advice for a brand-new professional to maximize their first couple years in the workforce. My answer: Invest yourself intellectually to form your own opinions - and then find the courage to share them even if they cut against the grain of conventional wisdom. What would your advice be?   #Consulting #Deloitte

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Dan McManus

Client Service Executive, Sales & Service Transformation with Salesforce; Delivery Quality and Talent Leader

8mo

A visit to new undergraduate hire training is always energizing. For the dozen plus times I've now been there here's my most repeated piece of advice - it's more prosaic than Dan H's but that's right on brand for me: Me: "With professional services, the first opportunities you get to prove your value may not be exactly what you envisioned them to be. You wanted to be the CIO advisor on day one but instead you've got tape in hand measuring the data center. OK. Take the best measurements anyone has ever taken! Earn the political capital so that when the "good" opportunity comes up, leaders reach for you. There's much that you can learn about the Craft of Consulting no matter what your day job is - communication (in so many flavors!), collaboration, leadership, planning, relationship building. Keep your mind open and maximize every opportunity." Just in case the CoS is reading these replies, one more thought is that it's beyond unconscionable that the Dilly Bars are still disrupted due to "supply chain" after, now, four years? Like, am I to understand the Houthis now have the Dilly Bars? <3 to CDx and DU.

Anne R. Glass

Managing Director at Deloitte Consulting

8mo

I always enjoy welcoming our new colleagues! Be they campus or experienced hires, military vets, boomerangs, folks returning to the corporate workforce, or others from the wide array of sources that result in a destination with Deloitte. My favorite advice? Be comfortable being uncomfortable AND be uncomfortable being comfortable. You're on an all-star team, so you're expected to continuously up your game. Be curious. Be ambitious. Be humble. Be human. Stay true to your core values and when in doubt, prioritize people. 💚

Troy Anderson

Managing Director @ Deloitte | Leading Passionate Technologists to Revolutionize Government Missions

8mo

"Be flexible and don't go in with preconceived notions of what you 'like' and 'don't like' to do. You don't really know until you try them, and even things you 'don't like' are a learning opportunity." Really appreciated this advice as a campus hire!

Don’t be picky about your early assignments - you will miss out on amazing opportunities. The subject matter is far less important than learning your craft, engaging with clients, and building your network.

Thomas D. Williamson

Retired M&A and enterprise transformation leader. Adult literacy volunteer, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute participant, traveler.

8mo

Congrats to the new Deloitte Consulting people. Always be humble and curious...

Be purposeful in building and maintaining strong professional relationships, with your clients and with your colleagues. It is never too early to build a network - in Consulting, outside of Consulting, SMEs, thought leaders across all industries, alumni from your university, etc. And don’t forget to reciprocate when someone helps you out. Good luck on your journey!

Adrienne Belyea Prentice

I help companies beat burnout & retain diverse talent 🌟

8mo

A couple pieces of advice that stuck with me as a junior associate: 1) “You are going to make mistakes. Just don’t make the same mistake twice.” Translation: Always be learning. 2) “Your ultimate objective is to make your mamager’s life easier.” This one is tricky but, to me, it means anticipate issues and come with suggested solutions when you are looking for answers. Of course, both of these assume that you have the strategic context for why your work matters. It’s up to managers to provide that context but it may require you to get uncomfortable and ask questions. Worth noting - the research shows that the reason there is a 33% gap of between women and men in leadership at the top is because men tend to get this context more frequently than women through informal mentoring or by directly asking for it. So, ladies, another one for you: make the ask.

Valeed Abid

Strategy Analyst at Deloitte Consulting

8mo

Dan, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions last week! As a new professional, I don't have any advice to give yet, but another piece of advice from you that resonated with me is to have the wisdom to ask for advice, and the courage to ignore it. We can be offered a lot of different perspectives throughout life, so I think it's important to determine what's relevant to the path one wishes to pave. Thrilled to be at Deloitte and looking forward to being my best self for the firm and our clients!

Yauri de Groot

Strategy Analyst at Deloitte Consulting | Bocconi University | Fudan University

8mo

Thanks Dan Helfrich for the warm welcome. It was a great experience to be part of the latest cohort of campus hires at Deloitte Consulting. I'm stoked to be working alongside a group of talented, motivated, and interesting new colleagues - who have already become great friends. Our CEO took the time to personally meet us, igniting our enthusiasm and passion for the journey ahead. Another question for Dan Helfrich: Let's broadcast a game together this upcoming World Cup 2026? Netherlands - USA rematch.

Frank Strickland

Partner in aiLeaders LLC | Co-author: "Winning the National Security AI Competition - A Practical Guide for Government and Industry Leaders" | Adjunct George Mason University

8mo

Dan Helfrich When I left government as a senior executive to join the consulting industry, Chris Whitlock gave me the #1 piece of advice I share with everyone new to the industry:: "Frank, get on a job and demonstrate you can consult by delighting a client." I believe this is especially #1 for new hires.

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