Where McKinsey—and Consulting—Go From Here

Where McKinsey—and Consulting—Go From Here

Author: Harvard Business Review January 6, 2026 Duration: 30:44
How does an organization with 100 years of history stay relevant, adaptable, and forward-looking? Bob Sternfels, who runs McKinsey & Company as the Global Managing Partner, has led the company through a wave of recent challenges while trying to plan the road ahead for the consulting industry leader. He explains the balance he's aiming to strike between AI agents and human employees, how he's handled moments of scrutiny, and the ways in which he's been working to build trust both internally and externally.

Each week, the HBR IdeaCast from Harvard Business Review sits down with experts whose ideas are shaping the world of work. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a conversation focused on practical insights for leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs navigating real challenges. You'll hear from scholars, CEOs, and innovators dissecting topics across management, marketing, and organizational strategy, translating complex research into actionable advice. The discussions get into the nuances of building effective teams, driving growth, making strategic decisions, and understanding the forces transforming industries. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to the forefront of business thinking, a resource for anyone looking to sharpen their skills and lead more effectively. The consistent, in-depth dialogue provides a valuable perspective that goes beyond headlines, offering a deeper understanding of how to succeed in a competitive landscape. It's a direct line to the ideas that matter, presented through thoughtful conversation designed to provoke reflection and inspire change in your own professional approach.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

HBR IdeaCast
Podcast Episodes
A Leading Restaurateur on What It Takes to Scale a Winning Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:53
When a company is small, maintaining a strong culture can feel relatively easy. But as organizations grow, layers of management, geographic distance, and pressure for efficiency can make it much harder to preserve what m…
Are Great Leaders Truly Great—or Just Lucky? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:16
How much does a leader actually matter to an organization’s success? We tend to credit CEOs, founders, and other powerful figures with shaping the institutions they lead, but historian Jared Diamond argues that we often…
How People Without Formal Power Gain Influence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:50
In today’s increasingly decentralized workplaces, leaders often need to get things done without having direct authority over the people they depend on. So how can you influence colleagues, clients, vendors, and even seni…
Living and Working in the Age of Longevity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
People are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. But many of our assumptions about executive careers—from climbing the corporate ladder to retiring at 65—haven't caught up. London Business School professor Lyn…
The Innovation Strategy Most Companies Miss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:13
Companies often build products for wealthy markets first and then try to adapt them for the rest of the world. But according to Dartmouth Tuck professor Vijay Govindarajan and MIT professor Amos Winter, designing for the…
Why Great Turnarounds Start with Culture, Not Strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:56
In an era of constant disruption, successful turnarounds require more than a new strategy—they demand a new culture. Dan Schulman, former CEO of PayPal, came out of retirement to tackle the challenge of taking over the h…
What Makes Chinese Companies So Competitive? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:58
To compete in business anywhere today, leaders at all levels need to learn about the culture and mindset that sets Chinese businesses apart. Stanford research fellow Dan Wang argues that they've built an edge that goes w…
Why Great Leaders Need More Than Good Judgment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:46
What if the key to success in today's business world wasn't about making difficult decisions quickly—but about broadening the scope through which you make decisions? Leaders Alliance CEO Cornelia Choe and executive coach…