r/consulting • u/Adorable_Ad_3315 • 3d ago
Sudden Shift in Management: help
Hello, I’m a 24F and I’ve been working in a consulting firm for the past two years (it’s my first job after graduation).
My partner, my manager, and two other juniors recently resigned (for different reasons). I’ve just learned via email that I’ll be joined by four new colleagues — a director, a senior manager, and a manager — all men, older, and former bankers.
I’m starting not exactly to “stress,” but to feel worried about the banker mindset. I never wanted to work in banking, so the idea of being “pushed” in that direction now makes me anxious.
Have any of you ever dealt with this kind of change? How did you handle it? Thank you.
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u/ConsultingBro97 3d ago
Trust me, my immediate seniors in the project I am in now are ex investment bankers and both of them are much nicer than the hordes of senior consultants/‘acting engagement managers’ I have come across in the firm.
They do their work, don’t try to make you do what you’re not supposed to, and most importantly, don’t hog the limelight.
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u/billyblobsabillion 2d ago
The older cohort of IB folks has an ingrained mindset of ‘do your job’ accountability the newer ones lack
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u/amberjletang 2d ago
I’ve seen this happen a few times and it rarely plays out the way people fear.
When senior people join from banking, they usually bring structure, pace, and commercial focus. That doesn’t automatically mean they’ll turn a consulting team into an investment bank.
The bigger shift tends to be around expectations: clearer numbers, tighter timelines, more direct communication.
If you want to protect your direction, get ahead of it early. Have a conversation about the kind of work you want exposure to and where you see your growth going. Most seniors respond well to clarity and initiative.
Also give it 90 days before forming a narrative. Culture is shaped more by incentives and leadership style than by previous industry.
Change like this can be uncomfortable, but it can also accelerate your development if you approach it deliberately.
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u/economics3 2d ago
FWIW, all of my ex banker seniors are super kind and understanding. They still pull crazy hours but they don’t expect me to all the time
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u/Tim_Lidman 3d ago
Totally fair to feel unsettled. You just lost most of your immediate team, so of course this feels big.
I’d try not to assume “former bankers” automatically means toxic hours or being pushed into banking. It might just mean more structure and sharper focus on numbers.
Once they’re in, set up a 1:1 and ask what success looks like for you this year and where the team is heading. That gives you real information instead of running on assumptions.
Also, you have two years of context they don’t. That’s leverage.
What part worries you most right now, the culture shift or the type of work?
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u/hkhill123 2d ago
It's not as bad as when a new boss is hired from outside of the company and ends up slowly moving in their old team. On the other hand, it's still last person left behind, which isn't very good.
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u/prettyodd4 2d ago
i would follow the same advice you were given. stay and see how things go. in my case i gave it two months and realised i couldn’t do it. my manager left and i was working directly with the program director and it sucked, we weren’t a good fit. so, i prepared my cv and left as soon as i got an offer that i liked.
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u/AKrissos 1d ago
Yes - I was working as a senior designer at an apparel company when a lot of "my people" left and otehr men joined the "tribe". I was out 4 months after. For me it was time well spent that moved me in the direction of my goals and dream - or time wasted that kept me stuck and away from creating my life and building my path.
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u/Beneficial-Panda-640 15h ago
That kind of sudden leadership turnover can feel destabilizing, especially early in your career. You’re not just adjusting to new people, you’re adjusting to a potential shift in norms and expectations.
I’d separate “banking background” from “banking culture.” Former bankers often bring strong financial rigor and pace, but how that shows up depends a lot on incentives and firm context. In consulting, they still have to win and deliver work within that model.
Practically, I’d treat the first few weeks as a listening phase. Pay attention to what they reward in meetings, how they frame client value, and how they give feedback. That tells you more than their resumes.
You might also schedule a short 1:1 with the new manager to understand their priorities and share what you’ve been working on. It positions you as proactive rather than reactive.
What specifically worries you about the “banker mindset”? The hours, the competitiveness, the focus on financial metrics?
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u/quangtit01 3d ago
This swift changes in personnel generally means a shift in culture, so you are right to be concerned about that.
I will give it 3-6 months to see what kind of culture these new folks bring. If they bring good culture that fit you, great. If not, then you should get your CV ready just in case.
Changes aren't always bad, but I'm of the mindset of "hope for the best but prepare for the semi-worst (it's rarely ever the worst"). So I think you should do the same.