SEA unit - Hell's kitchen of the consulting world (in a very bad way) - Consultant Kearney Employee Review

1.0
Dec 25, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Standard consulting features - projects, clients, travel, decent problems to solve

Cons

1. Most Partners don't really know what they're talking about. A partner once asked me to lie to a client about my experience. Level of expertise is very low across the Firm although they are loathe to admit it. Cover their insecurity and inadequacy with dollops of aggression and meaningless "general problem solving". 2. Transactional - no coaching, no depth in the relationships, prevalent scapegoat culture. People just trying to figure out who to throw under the bus. Happens every project. Extreme favoritism and politics. 3. Most leaders don't belong to the region, don't know the culture, don't know the language, but cover it up by being overly aggressive, feudal and bullying. Internal complaints brushed under the carpet until it really hits the fan. This is followed by feigned ignorance and concern. 4. Leadership is self centered and myopic, focused on just making the numbers look good. No long term view at all. Do not bother applying. Most new hires are asked to leave due to manufactured performance issues primarily caused by not sucking up enough to Partners. There is zero coaching and development. You will end up working very hard and learning too little. Money is great but not worth the pain on a daily basis. Most people are just waiting for an exit.

Explore other reviews about Kearney

5.0
May 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Amazing culture and talent that truly embraces forward looking

Cons

Travel but that’s common for the industry

1.0
Apr 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you’re fresh out of school and don’t have a specific skill and don’t know what to do, and you’re willing to be a yes man then yes it might be a good place to figure out your next step.

Cons

- Lack of pipeline for certain practices (and they will blame that on you saying your utilization is low but there’s nothing you can do at an associate level) - Full of people that feel good about themselves but they actually knows nothing about how actual industry work - No talent - Management will give you vague feedback that you can’t act on, For example, I got asked to “elevate the deck” but when I asked is it the messaging or is it the format etc they can’t give me anything specific - The expectation on work quality is inconsistent - Some manager level people can’t do excel which is shocking - You need to be a people pleaser in order to get promoted

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