One year ago today, I retired from Accenture as a senior partner after 20 years in Consulting. Like many, I thought I'd try Consulting "for a few years."  Would I pick Consulting if I did it all over again?  You bet, and here’s why:

1. You see things...quickly. The speed with which you’re exposed to different industries and complex business challenges cannot be matched.  Great for someone unsure of what they want to do or someone who bores easily.

2. You grow...constantly. People are the product and the service in Consulting, so the level of investing in talent is high caliber, outcomes-focused and consistent.

3. You bond...deeply. These relationships are particularly rewarding. The level of collaboration, trust and adaptability required of Consulting teams and their clients has the grace of a school of fish dancing in the ocean.

4. You feel stupid…a lot. This industry attracts really smart, high achieving people with diverse skills and experiences.  Every day you’re working on something that matters with bright, diverse people and saying “Wow, I did not know that.”

5. Your resume rocks...just in case.  Consulting is like option theory.  You can jump from this solid base into just about anything if and when you want to, and you’ll have the network to help.

6. You become a champion TLAD…three-letter-acronym-decoder. Consultants are world-champions at picking up new concepts and seeing the big picture. Your brain is trained to make sense of new information and chaos very quickly.

7. You have a life and a career...really.  Firms are becoming much better at nurturing wellness and balance and respecting personal boundaries.  

8. It’s a good living...save up. 

9. You can travel the world...on someone else’s credit card. We will travel again.

10. A top-9 list isn’t a framework that would be logical to a Consultant...so here’s #10.

I thank Accenture for an amazing ride and springboard to The Me-Suite. Thinking of Consulting? Come for the options it provides; stay for the people.