PwC's US CEO on Climbing the Ladder: Put in the Time

Griggs tells new associates that "we don't all get to the same place from the same place," and that diversity is a source of talent and value. Once they are in the role, they face the same choice. They can leave work on Friday, enjoy the weekend, and return on Monday. Or they can spend a little time doing research on weekends to better understand a problem, so they come better prepared on Monday.

The person who does the extra work does it because they are curious, not because they were asked, Griggs said.

"Monday, they both come back in, and you know what happens," he said. "The person who did the research picks things up just a little bit quicker. What happens then? That person gets more work to do."

Eventually, that person gets ahead and climbs into the next role, Griggs said. It may be a horizontal move at first, at some point they start to move up the ladder vertically.

"Whether it's inside our firm or inside the clients that I've spent the most time with over the years, it is tried and true: Energy and persistence conquer all things," Griggs said.

Visa group president Oliver Jenkyn previously said he blocks off four hours a week to learn something new and only hires curious candidates. Chipotle's COO Jason Kidd urged early-career candidates to say yes and volunteer for the less exciting jobs when they join the workforce.

Julia Dhar, BCG's North America leader of people and organization practice, said high-agency employees who actively seek clarity about their roles and build new skills may be better positioned to keep up as roles change and employers figure out how to implement new technology.