Q&A with Guangyu
Guangyu has exhibited a combination of real courage and inspiring creativity throughout his 14-year-career with McKinsey, yet he still remains humble about his accomplishments, maintaining they are just part of living McKinsey’s values.
Interviewer: Tell us about Values Day. It's a unique McKinsey institution.
Guangyu: Each year, each McKinsey office sets aside one day to meet with colleagues and discuss the ways in which we've been living our values.
Interviewer: And you recently made a presentation at Values Day in the Greater China office. What did you speak about?
Guangyu: I was flattered to present my moments of truth, sharing stories about lessons McKinsey has taught me over the 14 years I've been working here.
Interviewer: One of those lessons was deeply personal. Would you mind sharing it with us, too?
Guangyu: McKinsey gave me the opportunity to find my true self. Toward the end of my first year as an associate, I received an invitation to our office retreat. My boyfriend at that time asked to go with me, so I said "OK, we’ll go"—before announcing to everyone at McKinsey that I was gay.
Interviewer: Was that a difficult decision?
Guangyu: I was worried this would be career-damaging, but it turned out to be a great moment. Everyone was so embracing and inclusive. It made me realize that you have to be comfortable and proud of who you are before you can be really successful here.
Interviewer: You were a pioneer in expanding our Retail Practice in China. How did that start?
Guangyu: As a senior associate, I was tapped to help the Shanghai government with a retail project. I wasn’t a retail specialist—my expertise is really economic development in the public sector—but I liked design and poured my heart into the work. We won over skeptical clients, and now—10 years later—it’s still viewed as a great success. Through that work, I fell in love with retail and decided McKinsey China should get more involved in the sector.
Interviewer: What are your ambitions now?
Guangyu: Three things—to become more than my current self, convert all of my clients to dear and trusted friends, and to preserve the fabric of this great family at McKinsey.
Interviewer: If you had one thing you’d tell people joining McKinsey,what would it be?
Guangyu: Not just one thing—four things! Show your color, be yourself, follow your passion, and always create and collect moments together.
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