At present, Eastern Europe is going through dramatic political and economic changes. What kinds of opportunities and challenges do you foresee for Czech companies?
A lot of opportunities can be gained from the ongoing privatization process. In many cases, privatization has represented a lengthy process, and it may have temporarily diverted attention away from value creation and improving operations. However, by putting formerly state-owned enterprises into the hands of responsible shareholders, who are interested in creating tangible value, privatization will eventually lead to a better-functioning economy. In addition to better-managed companies, I see the influx of young, energetic top management with clearly defined responsibilities and rewards as a very positive trend. Some might point out their lack of experience, but I believe that their ambition, drive to learn, and enthusiasm will help them to quickly build the required skills and experience.

How does a consulting firm such as McKinsey develop its clients?
Generally, it is a matter of continuously delivering professional, high-quality advice on top-management issues. We go out of our way to meet clients’ needs and expectations, be it through the depth and breadth of our analyses or the relevance of our recommendations or the level of detail in implementation. Beginning with the first contact, and later in conversations and meetings, we get to see each other as people who can build on common ground, who are passionate about achieving the same goals, and who respect each other’s perspectives.

What should a client expect or not expect when hiring McKinsey?
Our clients can trust us to deliver the best we have to offer at all times. We aim to make the best use of the firm’s global network and aspire to deliver 100 percent—100 percent of the firm’s capabilities, 100 percent of the time, across 100 percent of the globe. Despite our commitment to helping our clients excel, we do keep an objective perspective. Or, put another way, we work with clients, not for them. Our clients see us as a partner for change that helps them solve problems and implement solutions.

What were the professional and personal changes that you went through when you were elected partner?
Professionally, there has been no significant change so far. At McKinsey you usually perform the function for some time prior to election. However, the key difference in being a partner is having ultimate responsibility for the people you work for and the people you work with.

Personally, I have not noticed any change since the celebration of my partnership. I still have to do Sunday dishes. And, after having lost games of squash to my friends and to newly hired colleagues, who are still in top shape after their last carefree school holiday, I have started to do 20 push-ups a day just to be on the safe side.

What do you consider most attractive and most difficult about the job?
In fact, the aspects of my job that I find most attractive are often also the most challenging parts of my job, for example, the challenge of problem solving, constantly changing activities, the opportunity to have a profound impact on the client organization, and getting immediate feedback. Above all, the one part of my job that I value most is the people I work with.

Do you intend to become a lifelong consultant, and why?
Maybe, but it is difficult to say at this point. I see McKinsey as a great learning place where I can develop professionally, and as long as this remains the case, I’ll stay. So far, the answer to my three basic questions—Am I still learning? Have I made an impact? Am I still having fun?—is a resounding yes!

You studied abroad over a decade ago, when international education for Czech students was far less common than it is today. How do you perceive the importance of this experience nowadays?
From today’s perspective, I believe that attending a school abroad was the most important decision in my professional career. It gave me the opportunity to absorb knowledge that was very new to this part of the world at the time. Also, it was a chance to observe and partly acquire a whole different way of life. I realized that I am the only person responsible for choosing my path in life. Naturally, having a degree from an American university in the mid-1990s created unprecedented career opportunities for me.

What do you think McKinsey offers a young, ambitious person?
If your ambition is to search for opportunities to apply your potential, to be in charge of choosing your options and pathways, and to have tangible impact on the business world, you’ll find that McKinsey is offering what you are looking for.

Did McKinsey influence the way you think about the world in general, and your life in particular?
My basic values and beliefs have not changed. In fact, working for McKinsey has strengthened my belief that no matter what I do, I should do it 100 percent.