The experienced consultant will know that picking the right firm activity is a lot like finding a job: It should be sustainable, interesting, career-enhancing, and should provide you a solid role. Experienced practitioners only pick one or two big events to get involved with rather than applying the “peanut butter” method and spreading their efforts too thin.

The irony of participating in most firm activities is that they don’t offer what firm activities are supposed to in the first place: visibility, career enhancement or a solid role. Often one-off events, unless you are leading the thing, you won’t get anything out of it.

What is R.U.D? R.U.D. is Reduce Uncertainty and Doubt. R.U.D is the act of reducing uncertainty and doubt, often called F.U.D. – Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.

F.U.D. will build up on nearly every project. Coworkers, clients and managers alike will fall victim to F.U.D. and it’s ugly, project-unhinging effects.