5-6 mins

As 2024 came to an end, I faced one of the toughest decisions of my career. My path in management consulting was thriving, full of promise and exciting possibilities. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that a shift to the corporate world might offer greater long-term rewards. It wasn’t an easy choice—stick with the momentum I’d built, or take a leap into something new and potentially more fulfilling.

What made the decision so challenging was that I had just graduated from CGI’s Developing Future Directors (DFD) Programme, an experience-based program designed to prepare Senior Consultants and Managers for Director roles within the next two years.

Although I have always considered myself a “consultant,” I wouldn’t say I ticked all the boxes. My projects were usually long-term, so it was common for me to stay with the same client on the same project for 12-24 months or more. For example, I had been working with Rabobank for over three years, trying to solve the same type of problem: how to manage data in a compliant manner. Before this assignment, I worked for a large retail bank in South Africa, Capitec Bank, for nearly two years. Thankfully, the organizations I had the privilege of working with never treated me as an “outsider,” but I still had days when I felt more at home with the client than with the consulting company I worked for.

At the time of writing this piece, I was in the fortunate position of having a job offer from a well-known bank in the Netherlands, headquartered in Amsterdam (ABN Amro Bank). They were looking to fill a vacant product manager position within their Central Data Office, and compared to my role at Rabobank, this would be considered a horizontal move.

I could think of several reasons for continuing my career in management consulting:

1. Imminent Promotion: There was a very high likelihood that I would have been promoted to director in the next 6-12 months, achieving this position at the very young age of 30. However, waiting for this promotion would not align with my long-term plans to switch to the corporate world. The promotion would also come with increased pressure, responsibilities, and stress, without a significant pay raise. I couldn’t help but think of Luke Belmar’s words in one of his interviews: “What does a man profit if he gains the world, but loses his own soul?” – a powerful echo of the words found in Mark 8:36.
2. Strong Reputation: I had built up a strong reputation at my employer (CGI) and client (Rabobank) and would need to prove myself from scratch at the new bank that had extended an offer to me. However, ABN Amro Bank acknowledged my experience and was looking for a strong product manager to lead a challenging team to greater heights. This opportunity would allow me to implement best practices from the start and apply what I have learned from my past experiences. While I would need to prove myself to a new employer, they clearly valued my experience, or they wouldn’t have hired me in the first place.
3. Legacy at Rabobank: I could make a positive difference at Rabobank and co-lead our transformation to a product-led operating model with support and trust from the management team, due to the trust I had gained from my accomplishments leading two teams. However, there was no guarantee that an equivalent opportunity didn’t exist at ABN Amro. By leading by example and achieving results with my new team, I could convince people about my way of working as a product manager. Building relationships with key stakeholders from the start would be essential to gain support for implementing this operating model.

Now, here are some of the reasons that made me seriously consider pivoting towards a career in the corporate world and accept the job at ABN Amro Bank:

1. New Challenges: At my employer (then CGI) and client (then Rabobank), I had been working hard for over three years to solve the same problem: setting up data quality controls for the bank’s most critical data. Make no mistake, I was very proud of what I had accomplished with the corresponding team. Additionally, I later gained responsibility for a second team, and we achieved a lot in a short period by setting up data transfer controls for more than 100 data producers globally. After reaching an all-time high in my work, I was ready to embrace new challenges—ones that would allow me to build on my achievements, expand my expertise, and make an impact in new and dynamic environments.
2. Exploring New Solutions: At ABN Amro, I would tackle a different problem related to data management, which would present its own unique set of challenges. This role would allow me to see how another well-known bank approached data & analytics and build up valuable knowledge that would benefit me in the long term.
3. Long-Term Fit: I didn’t see myself in consulting long-term, and my personality fit the profile of an internal employee who works for a bank. By accepting this opportunity, I would be able to focus exclusively on ABN Amro, and every bit of extra time and effort I invested in the company would contribute to building my reputation where I am. I no longer had to divide my attention between my employer (CGI) and client, nor do behind-the-scenes work. In consulting, especially in more senior positions, I was often expected to help secure new business, which could devour my personal time.
4. Career Progression: As a consultant working for a bank, I was bound to hit a ceiling because they typically didn’t want external people in very senior positions due to the associated risks. I knew myself well enough to understand that it would frustrate me to see some of my peers progressing through the ranks while I remained in my position, simply because I was considered “external.”
5. Future Opportunities: After 12 months, I had the option to re-apply for a position at Rabobank (should I want to) due to the non-compete agreement between CGI and Rabobank. I could stay in touch with the management team at Rabobank and ask them to remember me for future positions that aligned with my experience and passion. Additionally, seeing how another (similar) big bank approached certain topics could be useful and boost my confidence if I decided to return to Rabobank (or any other bank for that matter) one day.
6. Stability: Providing for my family has always been my top priority, but during that season, it became even more critical—we had just expanded our family and were now three. With this new chapter, stability mattered more than ever. This new opportunity offered the steady, predictable work environment I needed. As a consultant working for a bank, I always knew I could be reassigned to a new client or project at any time, regardless of how much I enjoyed my current role. That uncertainty weighed on me, and the mere thought of being “let go” was unsettling. Ensuring a secure and stable future for my growing family was at the forefront of my decision-making.

So, with all of the above being said, can you guess the decision I made and my next career move?

Well, if I have to spell it out for you, I chose to pivot into the corporate world, walking away from the fast track to becoming a consulting director at 30. It was a decision rooted in long-term vision: choosing organic, steady growth over the instant gratification of a shiny title.

And you know what? I am at peace with my decision, thanks to a valuable lesson from The Almanack of Naval Ravikant. He explained how the direction you’re heading in matters more than how fast you move. In other words, it doesn’t matter how quickly you climb the mountain, if it is the wrong mountain. Additionally, he shared the following wisdom:

“If you have two choices to make, and they’re relatively equal choices, take the path more difficult and more painful in the short term. Most of the gains in life come from suffering in the short term so you can get paid in the long term.”

When I reached out to the former Chief Data Officer (CDO) of Capitec Bank, I received advice that I’m truly grateful for. As someone in a role I aspire to hold one day, he shared a perspective that stuck with me: there’s very little I could do that would turn out ‘wrong.’ He reminded me that being young, delivering value where I am, and making a difference is already a strong position to be in. More importantly, he emphasized that no career path is ever linear—it always twists and turns in some way. And that’s a good thing. Those winding moments add color and texture to life, revealing new possibilities and opening doors to roads I may not have seen otherwise.

PS: This trusted advisor also told me that, sooner or later, I will have to immerse myself in the corporate world if I want to chase a title like CDO or something similar. It is unlikely (though not impossible) to jump directly from consulting to a position like CDO, and I will need to gain “corporate” experience under my belt.

I hope this post gave you some valuable insights! If you found it helpful or have any thoughts to share, please leave a comment below and let me know. Your feedback helps me create better content for you. Don’t forget to hit that like button if you enjoyed reading! 🚀