Senior Manager, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLP
McIntosh, a senior manager in Advisory Services at Ernst and Young’s Dallas office, measures his success by the quality relationships he has developed with clients and coworkers throughout his 15 years in the management consulting and financial services industries. He assists leading banks and lenders in solving various management problems and improving their operations in order to better serve customers and meet the demands of other key stakeholders.
Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What are your proudest achievements?
When I think of my proudest achievements over the course of my career, it’s not the major milestones and promotions I’ve attained, but rather the firm handshakes, pats on the back, words of appreciation, grateful and sincere looks in the eye, and genuine smiles testifying to the real difference and impression that I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to make on a handful, or perhaps a few more, of my most successful teams and client engagements.
What brought you to UT Dallas?
The driving factor was my belief in what was, and still is, a very distinctive Executive MBA program geared specifically for middle managers and executives, as well as my vision that the university overall would be an up-and-coming, truly top-notch national public university right here in Big D. A free lunch, a few cocktail receptions and a partial scholarship likely sealed the deal.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?
Not sure about the most memorable, but the most valuable are the relationships I’ve been fortunate to carry forward and the new ones that have been formed through various introductions, the alumni base, and getting involved with the Full-Time MBA cohorts as well.
Who was your favorite professor and/or what was your favorite class and why?
There were a bunch of really good ones across the board when I attended in 2004-2006. Dr. Miller’s Leadership and Design of Effective Organizations was a first semester course that really jolted us upright in our chairs. It set the tone for the executive program in the semesters to come.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
These days my wife and I spend all of our “free time” with our 5-month-old son, Ethan. The rest of my free time is usually spent enjoying long walks through the park or lakeside with my Akita dog, Emi. I would also say working out every day at the fitness center, but that would be a small fib.
What advice do you have for current students hoping to succeed in the business world?
I always tell people, especially those who are just starting their careers, to manage their long-term career and trajectory rather than the short term. Also, seeking and developing quality mentors is key, but hand and hand with that is being coachable. Learn as much as you can, do the best that you can, and you will learn what you need to succeed through your work experience, your coaches and your own self-discovery.
What makes an effective leader?
Effective followers certainly make it easier, but I believe effective leaders are able to instill vision and purpose in their people in both very personal ways and through their exceptional development of formal organizations. Effective leaders are also politically savvy, knowledgeable of the marketplace and customers, and have strong interpersonal relationships to draw upon. The most effective leaders are also tireless people developers and are acutely self-aware.
