Qualities and more challenging

Consultants need to have a good balance of analytical skills and interpersonal skills. Great team work skills because they are partnering with employees at various levels of the organization. They need to develop Excel models and at the same time, the charisma to present them effectively. They are cracking business cases and so strategic thinking - along with a general high IQ - is imperative.

I would argue that IB, at the associate level, is somewhat similar. Maybe less emphasis on teamwork and you need more negotiation and sales skills than touchy-feely skills. More heavy on the quant side for the analyst level, but associate is the generally accepted post-MBA level.

Hard to say which is more challenging. IMO they are both very unsustainable career paths if you want a real life with people in it. IB work very late hours and consultants do the same, with lots of travel on top of that. For the long term, I kind of promote corporate tbh.