Wall of love for Hero Journey

I joined Kearney as an associate and started working with Rustem after 1.5 years in the grade. 

Rustem has been phenomenal and instrumental in my journey, not only to improve my core consulting skills, but also to give me advice on handling project situations and giving me a different, outsider, and unbiased perspective. 

The biggest learning for me has been changing my mindset from just delivering the work to really understanding leadership expectations (asking why, how, by when). That helped unlock a greater quality of work and made me realize that I am not here just to make another slide/deck. 

I have really enjoyed being a part of the Zero to Hero journey program. It is a fun learning experience, not only due to the mini-projects you do but also the fantastic community of peers you can learn from during the interactive sessions! 

What Rustem has created is brilliant for true development into a high-performing consultant in a low-stress and encouraging environment.

Navigating consulting can be extremely tough and the trainings inside the MBB firms do not fully prepare one for the job.

Finding Rustem and the Hero Program was a turning point in my consulting career: I became better at communicating and prioritizing with my leaders, problem solving and understanding sources of stress.

I would recommend joining the program to anyone who wants to improve their consulting journey.

I joined BCG as a lateral hire and had quite a tough start. Rustem was truly a lifesaver. I finally got the support I needed through his insightful lectures, group calls, and hands-on coaching through exercises.

It honestly felt like, "Wow, why did no one tell me this before?" I saw a significant improvement in my performance, mostly driven through the practical exercises. 

Rustem has also been incredibly helpful in guiding me through tricky situations and, most importantly, in helping me build up my confidence! His advice is always very practical and actionable—which is exactly what I needed!

Rustem is not just a mentor; he’s a catalyst for transformation. 

His methodologies cut through the noise, focusing on what truly matters as a consultant: solving problems effectively. 

Rustem’s unique approach unlocks your problem-solving engine, enabling you to deliver consistent, high-impact results. 

Before working with Rustem, I struggled to apply my “book smarts” to solve problems with consistency. His mentorship helped me bridge that gap, unlocking my potential and transforming how I approach challenges. 

If you want to elevate your problem-solving abilities and excel as a consultant, Rustem is the mentor you need.

As someone who transitioned to McKinsey after years in the corporate world, I initially had so many questions with the significant shift in ways of working. 

Rustem's coaching was a game-changer for me, helping me quickly adapt and thrive in this new environment. Having been an MBB consultant himself, Rustem truly understands the challenges we face and knows exactly how to overcome them. 

Even though everyone’s journey is different, his unwavering commitment and generosity in helping me grow make his mentorship stand out. I have a strong belief that his hero's journey can help everyone become their own hero in the future.

Rus has been an exceptional mentor, providing highly effective training modules and personalized coaching. 

His guidance has been instrumental in accelerating my professional growth. Drawing on his extensive experience, Rus leverages a proven, comprehensive playbook that he adeptly shares with program participants. 

I highly recommend his program to anyone seeking to enhance their skills and elevate their performance. 

Thank you, Rus, for your outstanding leadership and support.

Rustem’s friendly support and practical deep knowledge became a game changer for me. 

I joined the community when I was a manager (EM) already. Rustem helped me to focus on my spikes and sharpen my problem-solving and communication skills. I needed this push to rebuild myself after couple of years of intensive, hard work. 

I have managed to learn new features in every domain of our consulting skillset and, even more importantly, how to transfer these skills to my teams. I love that the course is exercises oriented. Firstly, you will get a new view on key consulting skills and practices that you need to apply. And then will go through serious of exercises where each of the fundamental skills will be tested. 

As an icing on the cake you will prepare your own small project to test yourself but with sincere care and personalized attention from Rustem. 

Imagine if you could have enough time for coaching with a compelling partner who is truly interested in your development and success. Is it not a dream?

I pivoted into consulting at 34 as a post-MBA experienced hire and quickly recognized that I needed a mentor who had gone through a similar transition and understood the unique challenges of moving from a corporate environment to the ambiguity of consulting. 

Rustem came through in a big way. His insights and feedback helped me refine my consulting skills—from problem-solving to structuring—and improved my overall efficiency.

In his lectures and one-on-one sessions, Rustem gives honest, down-to-earth advice and shares the unwritten rules of consulting that many newcomers might miss—all illustrated through practical, real-world examples.

Rustem has been the best mentor and people developer I've ever met. His support and guidance helped me navigate my consulting journey, and I feel lucky to have worked with him during this pivotal time.

When I first met Rustem, I was fresh in my journey in BCG and unaware of many consulting ‘best practices/norms. ' I made mistakes unknowingly (both on and off projects) and worked ineffectively. 

Over several months, Rustem has helped me deep-dive into the root causes of some challenges and provided me with practical advice. This has translated into me working much more productively, enhancing my performance review scores, and creating an overall more enjoyable consulting experience. 

Rustem and I also conducted exercises/drills in which he evaluated me based on real-life working scenarios and provided me with sharp feedback on how to improve. This has allowed me to translate “theory” into actionable steps. 

What I appreciate most about Rustem is his ability to break down abstract, complex concepts into structured, easy-to-follow steps and his genuine care for his ‘mentees.’

I chanced upon Rustem when I was making the jump from T2 to MBB. I wasn’t sure if I would face a gap in competencies, and confirming with Rustem that my style of working (not the T2s) was similar to MBB's style of working was essential for me to get into a winning frame of mind as I was making the jump. 

We did it through a series of 1:1 sessions, which Rustem calls the Hero Journey. I would highly recommend that anyone going into strategy consulting have this toolkit so as to win and not just survive in the MBB world. 

On top of the confirmation of skill sets, Rustem became my confidant, mentor, and friend who I could use as a sparring partner through mental blocks and difficult project situations. I would highly recommend Rustem’s content, as well as Rustem as a coach and a friend, as you take this journey. 

Thank you Rus.

Embarking on this coaching program has been an absolute game-changer for me. From day one, I've felt supported, motivated, and equipped with the tools necessary to navigate my MBB journey towards personal and professional growth. The program's tailored approach has helped me uncover my strengths, confront my challenges, and set clear, achievable goals. 

What I appreciate most is the genuine care and sharp expertise. The program's emphasis on holistic development, encompassing skill-building and mindset refinement, resonated with me. It's not just about achieving results; it's about fostering lasting transformation!

I count my blessings to have met Rus at a critical point in my consulting journey - a lost Senior Business Analyst trying to figure out if I should press on and try to become a manager. 

Rus not only gave me very actionable feedback on my core consulting toolkit (client handling, making slides etc), he taught me a series of soft skills on navigating the firm - to name a few, how to manage leadership expectations, how to manage a team, how to set myself up for designation - all things that are not written down anywhere in black-and-white but very crucial to know in the pressure cooker that is the consulting industry. 

Most importantly, Rus is always so generous and genuine with his advice. My journey in the firm would be way more painful if it wasn’t for Rus’ wise words and support. I am excited to know that more can benefit from Rus’ mentorship beyond being lucky to be staffed with him

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have Rustem as both a mentor and friend, particularly during the early stages of my career with the firm. His invaluable tips and tricks have saved me a significant amount of time that I would have otherwise spent learning or discovering on my own later. 

The knowledge and skills he has imparted to me, which can be leveraged outside of consulting as well, will undoubtedly stay with me throughout my entire professional career. Rustem's guidance extends beyond hard skills and encompasses soft skills such as navigating the firm and securing sponsorship from senior leadership. 

Even to this day, I continue to seek Rustem's advice whenever I encounter professional or personal challenges. He is a true mentor/friend and I am extremely fortunate to have met him!

Rus has been an excellent mentor, sponsor and friend in my consulting career. My only regret is not getting to work with him sooner. 

What stand outs in my interactions with him is his ability to provide constructive feedback and translate this into actionable next steps and to-dos on how i can practice, and showcase improvement in the areas he has highlighted. This has allowed me to gain a much better "principles-level" understanding to improving my skillsets + thought process; this then allows better retention and application of knowledge. 

He also provides excellent insight on the soft-skills playbook required to excel in McKinsey, e.g., leadership management, building critical momentum in the first week of the study, managing a team, and how to manage perception in the firm. These are all critical skillsets that an average consultant would not get to know about until they have experienced it themselves - many times being too late.

Lastly, Rus is just a solid chap. Very genuine and generous with his advice.

Some people are born to be Inspiring Leaders, some to be Exceptional Problem Solvers, and others to be Great Teachers and Mentors. Rustem has all three, and I was lucky to work with and learn from him throughout my career. 

Rustem was my Mentor and Sponsor at McKinsey and, without any exaggeration, was the biggest contributor to my development and success at the firm. Three reasons (you can leave McKinsey, but McKinsey never leaves you :)) why I believe Rustem is an exceptional Mentor and Coach: 

First, all his advice and tools were very practical and pragmatic. He provided loads of small and very efficient techniques and life hacks that really worked from Day 1! 

Second, he has a very customized approach to drive engagement. Rustem has a natural ability to find what really ignites and drives other people and how to make the process enjoyable for everyone. (I remember that during my early McKinsey days, I played many RPG games. Rustem quickly leveraged my passion for games and built a quest-like concept on how to learn and apply new skills and why it is important) 

Finally, Rustem is a lifelong learner and explorer himself. He is always relevant and has a passion for learning that he transfers to his mentees. I remember him spending hours on the concept of Mentorship and how to pass his knowledge most efficiently, even when it was just a hobby.

Meeting Rustem was among the best things that could have happened to me in my career. His mentorship has been a game-changer, helping me move from just executing tasks and struggling to keep up with expectations to taking charge and setting my own pace. 

Working with him helped me clear the 'fog of insecurity,' enabling me to understand what’s expected of me, and trust in my own standards for quality and problem-solving. Because of this clarity, I no longer depend solely on others to recognize my achievements; I manage my time more effectively, produce significantly less work that ends up as backups, and can push back confidently and effectively when necessary. All this not only enhances the final product but also ensures that I achieve more in less time—with fewer personal sacrifices. 

What stands out most about Rustem's mentorship is his practical and insightful advice that goes beyond the standard tips you typically get from your colleagues. He teaches how to understand and influence the perceptions of leaders, clients, and teammates and emphasizes building strong, meaningful relationships with mentors and those we mentor. 

Rustem shares practical tricks and strategies from his own immense experience, breaking down complex ideas into simple, understandable terms. His personal stories are incredibly motivating, making you believe you really can succeed. For any new consultant looking to make a mark, Rustem’s guidance is invaluable.

Working with Rustem during my time as an Engagement Manager was pivotal for my growth, helping me succeed in that role and later as an Associate Partner. His mentorship and guidance were instrumental, equipping me with skills that continue to drive my professional journey. 

As an Engagement Director, Rustem dedicated substantial time and effort to my development. His expertise spanned the consulting and management spectrum, from thought leadership and storylining to stakeholder management to team coaching. Rustem's unwavering calm and positivity were particularly impactful during crises, and I think he is especially extraordinary in times of ideal storms. 

In my nine years in big-3 consulting firms, encounters with such caring, systematic, and effective leadership have been extremely rare. Working with Rustem offers a unique opportunity to master the craft of management consulting, at every stage from a Business Analyst to an Engagement Director. 

I am really happy that Rustem decided to share his knowledge through this program, and I believe participation is essential for anyone committed to advancing their development and career.

Rustem brings invaluable expertise across all aspects of the consulting/management toolkit: story lining, prioritization, materials preparation, leadership & client management — you name it. 

Rustem's coaching helped me elevate my performance and develop a clear, replicable, personalized blueprint on how to constantly overperform, even in the most demanding studies. 

Moreover, his insights extend beyond consulting, proving highly beneficial in various strategy and management roles. The program Rustem offers is a no-brainer to anyone who is committed to accelerating their development and career progression

My time working with Rustem at McKinsey was transformative. As our Engagement Manager, he went beyond traditional project scopes, consistently bringing fresh, innovative ideas that impressed clients and energized our team. His creativity in solving problems and designing impactful solutions was remarkable. 

What truly made Rustem stand out was his deep commitment to our personal and professional growth. He took mentorship seriously, dedicating time to coach and guide us, ensuring we were equipped to tackle bigger challenges ahead. His advice was always heartfelt, aiming not just to meet immediate project needs but to prepare us as future leaders in consulting. 

I am grateful for Rustem's guidance and for always putting our development first. He has cultivated and raised standards for many distinguished consultants at the Firm.

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had Rustem as my first mentor when I began my journey at McKinsey. 

Rustem’s guidance was instrumental in shaping my consulting experience. From imparting invaluable day-to-day insights to teaching me how to carve out my unique value proposition, his mentorship was indispensable. 

Rustem’s operational tricks such as utilizing all the Firm resources, making “short but impressive” slides and effectively communicating during pss sessions and not only really shaped my work style and helped me a lot. His strategic insights also helped me to build right exposures and to use all the resources I have in the most effective way. 

Moreover, his drive to deliver impact really helped me to build my own communication style with clients and beyond. I’m very thankful to have Rustem as my mentor and till now Rustem is still the first person I reach out to when I need advice and have to pss.

Meeting Rustem was one of the best things that happened to me throughout my consulting career. His brilliant advice, both professional and personal, helped me to literally get to the next level of my career path and development. 

But let me begin a few steps before. Every experienced hire has common feelings: anxiety, misunderstanding of what is a good performance and what is bad, staffing uncertainty, and poor network connections. 

Consultants often feel stressed and overwhelmed. During this difficult time, it's vital to have a mentor—a person you really trust, respect, and admire. And at this point, there is no better choice than Rustem. His deep expertise, mindset, systematic approach, and personal qualities make him unique. 

So that I can advise Rustem as a true mentor/friend, I am extremely fortunate to have met him! Sincerely, Ivan

Super high impact and actionable advice and guidance that turns chaos and randomness into a clear process. Both on micro and macro levels. “How to make good slides - follow steps 1 2 3.” “How to earn trust and autonomy - focus on a b c”. All with a deep understanding of the underlying reasons and how it all fits together. It helped me stop doing all the wrong things that make working unnecessarily difficult and painful. 

And it helped me free up my time and focus on the most rewarding parts of the job instead of constantly being in firefighting reactive mode. Which fed into positive conditions for better performance, better reputation, more development opportunities, and higher confidence and motivation. Without this, my career trajectory at the firm would have most likely been very different.

Rustem helped me improve my performance across all aspects of my consulting work at McKinsey. He is the mentor and coach every professional needs no matter the starting point, and will help you get to the next level of productivity and fulfillment. 

Rustem helped me not only build my basic consulting toolkit during my first year, but also learn more about all those extra things that differentiate you: how to get staffed on the best projects, how to manage stress, how to manage visibility with senior leadership, and how to make every hour of your work count by improving the processes and focusing on what's most important. 

Rustem's coaching helped me become very comfortable in the competitive consulting environment, get the most interesting projects, get the highest ratings, and build my network and reputation.

I was very fortunate to have Rustem as my mentor and coach from the very start of my career at McKinsey. His guidance was essential in helping me navigate the beginning of my journey as a consultant. 

Rustem provided me with practical skills that ranged from enhancing my slide-making abilities to efficiently running analyses and effectively communicating with clients. He also offered strategic advice on how to build a solid reputation within the office, secure staffing opportunities, and gain visibility with leadership. 

I've consistently relied on Rustem for advice throughout my career, and I continue to do so. His ongoing support not only helps me make informed decisions but also boosts my confidence and helps me tackle both personal and professional challenges. 

I deeply appreciate his mentorship and the significant impact it has had on my career.