The Real World Consulting Playbook | Book Review
Review of Deepto Bhattacharya's book- The Real World Consulting Playbook
This is not
your average consulting book — no MBA jargon, no LinkedIn-speak, and definitely
no “10X hacks.”
The Real-World Consulting Playbook is a straight-talking, field-tested guide
for professionals who want to break into consulting or scale their solo
practice — but are tired of the fluff. It’s part career reboot, part strategic
manual, and part emotional survival guide for those navigating post-corporate
identity, client chaos, and the deep work of staying relevant in a changing
world.
The book covers:
- The transition from full-time to
freelance
- Building offers, credibility,
and client trust
- Handling layoffs, burnout, and
self-doubt
- Executive presence, client
psychology, and power dynamics
- Designing a consulting career
that scales without selling your soul
Backed by personal experience across global transformation projects, this book
is grounded in scar tissue — not just strategy. It includes downloadable tools,
templates, and rituals that make the reader feel less like they’re guessing,
and more like they’ve got a playbook in hand.
Book #13 of 2026
Non-fiction #8
This is not a
typical consulting guide. There’s no buzzword overload, no corporate jargon,
and no exaggerated promises of instant success. The Real World Consulting
Playbook takes a refreshingly honest approach, offering practical insight
for those who want to enter consulting or grow an independent practice without
getting lost.
The book
works on multiple levels. It functions as a career reset for professionals
stepping away from traditional corporate roles, a practical handbook for
building a consulting practice, and a steady companion for dealing with the
uncertainty, self-doubt, and emotional shifts that often come with this
transition. Rather than glamorising the profession, it presents consulting as
demanding, nuanced, and deeply rooted in accountability and problem-solving.
It explores
key areas such as moving from full-time employment to independent work, shaping
clear and credible service offerings, earning client confidence, and navigating
challenges like burnout, layoffs, and imposter syndrome. The author also talks
about critical aspects like, executive presence, client psychology, power
dynamics, and communication, without overcomplicating the message.
One of the
book’s strengths is its inclusive perspective. It speaks not only to aspiring
consultants, but also to freelancers, professionals working in large consulting
firms, and individuals recently affected by job loss. This makes the guidance
feel grounded and relevant, regardless of where the reader is in their career
journey.
The writing
avoids motivational hype and instead offers clarity through experience-backed
insight. Detailed checklists, tools, and templates add real value, helping
readers think strategically and make informed decisions based on their own
circumstances rather than following generic advice.
What stands
out most is how the author blends technical guidance with emotional realism.
The book openly addresses the unpredictability of client work, the pressure of
personal responsibility, and the absence of guaranteed stability, encouraging
readers to honestly assess whether they are ready for this path.
The short
formats of the chapters and their contents are a plus as the reading does not get
overwhelming.
In all, this is a practical, no-nonsense manual for anyone seriously considering consulting as a career. It doesn’t promise shortcuts, but it does offer a clear roadmap. For those who want to move beyond corporate constraints and take deliberate control of their professional future, this book is a valuable and timely resource.
Until the next post...
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