Guest: David Martin Holte (Strategy&) | Host: Bernhard Kerres | Duration: 56 minutes

One-third of McKinsey's consultants are now AI agents. So why did David still have to show up to his client meeting?

In this conversation, Strategy& consultant David Martin Holte breaks down how AI is disrupting consulting RIGHT NOW—and shares his three-phase framework for what comes next.

THE THREE PHASES:

Phase 1: Efficiency (Now) - AI makes analysis faster, but junior consultants have the hardest job. You can't hide behind slide-making anymore. Must master prompting + analytical thinking + client skills simultaneously.

Phase 2: Symmetry (Soon) - When clients catch up with AI, many consulting tasks disappear. Everyone must "act one level up." Partners focus on what AI can't do: human interaction and coaching.

Phase 3: Autonomous (Future) - AI systems communicate with each other. Proposals generated and evaluated by AI. The new market: influencing AI outcomes (like SEO, but for AI).

THE RESONANCE THESIS:David's surprise prediction: The more technology takes over, the more valuable human "resonance" becomes. Not solutions. Not efficiency. The ability to truly connect with another human being.

"The more we use technology for everything, the more we wish for human interactions. I think this is probably just how we humans are." - David

KEY INSIGHTS:

• Junior consultants must learn to think when AI does the analysis
• Research departments struggling: "But ChatGPT says it's this way"
• Consultants practice presentations but not critical conversations
• Strategy&: Exception through Workplace Coaching course
• David's confession: "I use AI excessively for everything. I'm pretty dependent on it. It's kind of scary."
• The rare combination needed: Tech skills + emotional intelligence + resonance

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Hartmut Rosa, Resonanz
• McKinsey: 25,000 AI agents, aiming for AI parity by end of 2026
• Mario Neururer's LinkedIn post: "Wer übt fällt seinen Kollegen in den Rücken"

ABOUT DAVID:David Holte is a strategy consultant and coach enabling public sector and healthcare leaders to design resilient, future-ready organizations.

ABOUT BERNHARD:Executive coach, founder of RolePlays.AI, former opera singer turned tech CEO. Coaches at Henkel, PwC, Allianz, Strategy&. Teaches at London Business School.

TRY IT YOURSELF:Free Valentine's scenario at RolePlays.AI: Can You Get a Second Date? Practice difficult conversations with AI personas that actually push back.

These aren't chatbots. They get defensive. They make it uncomfortable. Because if you can handle a difficult first date, you can probably handle telling a CEO their transformation is failing.

www.roleplays.ai

CONNECT: www.bernhardkerres.com#CoffeeAndCoaching #AIConsulting #Resonance #FutureOfWork