Vivek

Partner

I joined McKinsey in 1993 with an engineering background, then in 1998 I was part of the start up team for the Detroit office. I went to school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and I’d always liked the area, so it was a great opportunity for me.

Making my own McKinsey

I’ve always tried to gauge whether I’m having fun doing what I’m doing. Every time I reach a place where I know what to do for my job, I manage to find a new challenge. I’m always looking for a sense of renewal. Every three to four years, the firm has provided me with a chance to make a change, to step into something completely foreign. During my first four years at the firm, I was very interested in marketing, and then the next four years I spent a lot of my time on operations. Then I started serving a retailer four years ago and found my next passion. These new opportunities are what keep me excited.

What makes McKinsey different?

I was kind of shocked at how seamlessly we can integrate as a firm across continents on values, quality of work, and collaboration. I can’t imagine another place doing it. But I think we can do it because we are so centered on values.

Working with a global team

I’ve worked with a wide variety of people representing different nationalities on many different issues. And it’s been such a fascinating ride. When working with a global team, we have to be flexible and patient and collaborative. Sometimes somebody’s going to have an call at eleven at night. When you set up a global team, somebody’s got to do it. That’s just part of life.

I’m more humble than I ever was

I think I have a much better appreciation for what I can and cannot do. Consulting can be very humbling. I think I have a healthy respect for the influence we have as a firm and as individuals. But I also have a lot more confidence than I’ve ever had, and I’m a lot more structured with everything—especially my thinking. I’m also probably a better listener.

On mentoring and being mentored

My greatest moments have been when I’ve managed to help someone who isn’t as confident to be successful at McKinsey. If I were to take away one thing from the firm, it would be that I helped a few people make a difference by encouraging them, coaching them, and giving them a chance. And I don’t think of it as me having done anything special, because I just think I've got that instinct now.

For myself, about every three years I seem to run into someone who elevates my game. In my early years it was a senior partner who taught me how to write a proposal, how to hear what the client is saying, and make sure I reflect their language back to them. He taught me about the notion of being listened to. Later there was another partner who taught me how to think big, how to take an idea and turn it on its head, and why we have to do that to make a difference with clients.