Kevin O’Leary Critiques the Consulting Industry
Investor Kevin O’Leary, known for his role on “Shark Tank,” has harshly criticized the consulting sector, describing it as a “waste of souls and lives” for graduates from prestigious schools like Harvard University.
In a conversation with Fox Business, he expressed that Harvard has essentially been a “farm production arm for consultants” for many years, with around a third of each graduating class pursuing careers in consulting.
His main objections center around the lack of consequential decision-making in this field. O’Leary stated, “They waste their souls and their lives because they never make decisions that have consequences. They live in a sea of mediocrity and end up in the lowest level of hell, consulting hell.” Notably, he occasionally teaches at Harvard himself.
O’Leary shares the perspective that the company one keeps plays a significant role in shaping one’s career. He emphasized this point in a post on X, saying, “It’s all about who you spend your time with.”
For the remaining two-thirds of Harvard graduates eager to embark on entrepreneurial ventures, O’Leary offers support, asserting that entrepreneurship has historically been the backbone of the American economy.
He noted that children raised by entrepreneurial parents who work tirelessly tend to adopt that mindset themselves.
Previously, O’Leary has voiced similar critiques of consulting careers. In a TikTok post, he mentioned his respect for consulting firms but clarified that he doesn’t wish to encourage others to enter the field. He called the consulting experience “a slow descent into hell on earth,” expressing confusion over why anyone would engage in it. “Why would someone burn all those hours while someone else makes money?” he questioned.
In a LinkedIn post, he explained why he avoids hiring consultants, noting that they often lack real management experience. “They don’t make the big decisions,” he said, adding that their insights can be valuable but don’t lead to meaningful learning. O’Leary believes many hope to transition among business fields while living a life he considers mediocre, even with a high salary.
