What if your first five years in consulting came with a cheat code? Drew McKechnie thinks they should. As the leader of Consulting Services Commercialization at Google Cloud and a longtime advocate for building better consultants, Drew joins Dean McMann and Anthony Paluska for a candid conversation on how to set yourself apart early in your career. 

Drew reflects on his own path from the Beltway consulting scene to Google and the common pitfalls new consultants face today. He unpacks how remote work, AI, and shrinking training budgets are leaving gaps in the development of critical skills like executive presence, real-time problem solving, and good old-fashioned communication. More importantly, he offers simple, practical ways junior consultants can take ownership, get noticed, and accelerate their growth—without waiting years for someone to hand them an opportunity. 

You’ll hear why “don’t trip over the low bar” might be the most underrated career advice around, why meeting minutes can be your secret weapon, and how to avoid getting stuck in a specialist box without sacrificing your standout skill. Plus, Drew explains the value of becoming the go-to person for something useful, whether that’s AI prompts, spreadsheet wizardry, or the lost art of writing a decent follow-up email. 

For leaders building professional services teams, Drew shares his take on why companies need generalists, cross-pollination, and the mindset shift from siloed roles to true leverage. If you want to grow your career or your team in consulting, Drew’s no-nonsense insights deliver the real-world perspective you’ve been missing.