Rising Stars of the Profession: Nuno Leal

Nuno is a senior manager within EY's New York consulting practice and has more than nine years' experience. He specializes in advising clients – from start-ups to major corporations – on enterprise strategy, marketing and sales effectiveness, and customer experience. Nuno epitomizes the versatility, dynamism, and commitment to quality necessary to be a highly successful and effective management consultant. His stellar reputation among clients and colleagues sees him working across multiple continents, delivering high-value projects in the telecoms, media, and technology industries, among others. Nuno is a deep thinker whose innovative ideas are helping transform how EY delivers for clients.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

I love seeing the people I work with continue to challenge themselves and grow each year. Throughout my career, I've had opportunities to work with some amazing people and to know that I was able to help them on their personal path in consulting makes me proud.

What advice would you give a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

As you begin your career, be interested in learning. It's imperative to learn how to take effective notes, draft a strong slide and be proficient with data. In my opinion, the strongest consultant is the one who is strong in many areas – not just the best at one thing.

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

Challenge is what attracts me to any project. The challenge of solving problems that have been addressed but not yet solved; entrepreneurship and stimulation of intellectual curiosity are a few key drivers of my dedication to consulting.

What's the best advice – personal or professional – you've ever received

My mentors have shared the following advice with me, which has helped me tremendously – professionally and personally.

• Feedback is a gift. If you're finding it difficult to accept a piece of feedback, repeat it three times in your head and see what happens.
• A strong performer is appreciated and respected by their leadership. A very strong performer is appreciated and respected by leadership and their direct reports. However, an excellent performer is appreciated and respected by leadership, direct reports and their peers.
• What defines the quality of involvement is the noise to value ratio: Don't be the loudest person in the room, but measure your impact by the value you bring every time you intervene.

What does being honored as a Rising Star mean to you?

I feel an immense amount of appreciation and am inspired to continue to be a 'student of our craft.' I'd like to thank everyone that I work with because, without them, my impact would be very limited. Cooperation and teamwork are what keep things moving forward.