What does consulting look like when AI is no longer “the future” but part of the daily workflow? In this episode, Dean and Anthony sit down with Michael Muse, a senior consultant who’s early enough in his career to have grown up alongside modern AI tools, but experienced enough to understand what they can’t replace.

Together, they unpack what’s actually changing inside consulting teams as AI accelerates timelines, expands capacity, and raises expectations. But speed alone isn’t the story. The real differentiator, as Michael shares, isn’t how fast you can produce output...it’s how deeply you understand it.

The conversation explores what it takes to stand out in a world where everyone has access to the same tools. From building reusable workflows to maintaining discipline and curiosity, Michael shares practical habits that help consultants move beyond simply generating deliverables and toward driving real outcomes for clients. They also dig into how expectations are shifting—for junior consultants, project managers, and leaders alike—and why traditional consulting fundamentals like judgment, communication, and client trust are becoming even more valuable, not less.

If you’ve wondered whether AI is leveling the playing field, or quietly raising the bar. this episode offers a grounded perspective from someone navigating the shift in real time.

Whether you’re early in your career, leading teams, or simply trying to understand how consulting is evolving, this conversation highlights one central idea: Tools can make you faster, but only thinking makes you valuable.