Our Insights

Reinventing the world of work

The world of work is changing. Events over the past few years have forced leaders to re-evaluate how they attract, develop, and retain talent, with people-first strategies at the forefront for developing healthy workplaces.

At the Financial Review Workforce Summit we discussed these topics with the nation’s most influential business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholder groups. Following the Summit, we’ve created a collection of curated content on some of the key topics that leaders should consider as they prepare for the future. Read our reflections from the Summit here.

Talent and healthy workforces | Leadership | Building modern, resilient organisations | Creating agile organisations

Australian Leaders On The Future Of Work

Hear from leaders including Sian Lewis, Group Executive, Human Resources, Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Professor Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and President, The University of Sydney; Mary Wooldridge, CEO, Workplace Gender Equality Agency; Sarah Burn, Vice President People & Culture, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia; and Michael Gonski, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills.

TALENT AND HEALTHY WORKFORCES

Outline of Australia superimposed over computer chip. - stock image
Report
Generative AI and the future of work in Australia
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Advances in generative AI have accelerated Australia’s automation opportunity. If implemented well, these technologies could improve Australia’s productivity—and the quality of life of its people.
A building's reception, where people are engaged in many activities. A grayed out cycle and walkers are seen in the enclosure showing flexibility in the workplace.
Article
Is your workplace ready for flexible work? A survey offers clues
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Flexible work can deliver both better employee engagement and real estate savings. Here’s how tenants and investors can prepare.
Mine, tunnel front, silhouette of a standing worker
Article
Has mining lost its luster? Why talent is moving elsewhere and how to bring them back
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A well-managed, motivated, and trained workforce has been a core driver for productivity and safety in mining; an unprecedented skills shortage in the mining industry is elevating talent to the top of miners’ agendas.
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Report - MGI Research
Performance through people: Transforming human capital into competitive advantage
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A dual focus on developing people and managing them well gives a select group of companies a long-term performance edge.
Senior father and adult son having a good time on beach at sunset
Article - McKinsey Health Institute
Living longer in better health: Six shifts needed for healthy aging
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As many individuals live well past retirement age, stakeholders are examining how interventions, data, and innovation can transform aging.
Federal Parliament House of Australia. Canberra. Capital of Australia. Australian Capital Territory. Australia. - stock photo
Article
Employees on the move: How to keep and attract talent
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In Australia, job mobility is happening in both the public and private sectors. Leaders are faced with finding ways to keep present talent and attract the new.
illustration woman covering face with hands, blurred dust swirling around head
Article
Employee mental health and burnout in Asia: A time to act
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By identifying factors affecting workplace mental health, leaders in Asia can take action to create happier, more inclusive, and increasingly productive organizations.
Empty pool
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
The Great Attrition is making hiring harder. Are you searching the right talent pools?
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People keep quitting at record levels, yet companies are still trying to attract and retain them the same old ways. New research identifies five types of workers that employers can reach to fill jobs.
Row of shoes and boots
Podcast
To slow down attrition, pay closer attention to what workers really need
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The Great Attrition continues, but if companies understand the differences among five common employee personas, they may be able to find and retain talent more effectively.

Leadership

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Article - McKinsey Quarterly
New leadership for a new era of thriving organizations
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Five leadership shifts can unleash an era of sustainable, inclusive growth for companies looking to outperform in this era of disruption.
Water splash collision in midair
Article
Into all problem-solving, a little dissent must fall
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In today’s interconnected business environment, companies won’t be able to solve problems effectively without encouraging “contributory dissent”—a healthy approach to gathering diverse perspectives that should be taught to team members, modeled by leaders, and supported by culture.
A person crossing the street holding a coffee cup
Interactive
What matters most? Six priorities for CEOs in turbulent times
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With economic troubles mounting, it’s a time to tighten belts and put on hard hats. But don’t forget the jet pack, to accelerate into the next phase of growth.
Employees entering their office though multiple doors in the lobby
Podcast
Talent in a changing market: What now?
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High turnover, shrinking pipelines, inflation—the talent market remains in flux. Here’s what you should be doing differently.
Alison Watkins headshot
Interview
In the boardroom with Alison Watkins: CEOs, boards, and leading through crisis
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Alison Watkins, who is a board member of CSL, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and Wesfarmers, believes that there is growing alignment—and a healthier balance—between CEOs and board members.
How to lead in a hybrid environment
Blog Post
How to lead in a hybrid environment
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Work has changed—and so must leaders. These four management shifts are making the biggest impact in today’s hybrid work environment.
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Article
Reimagining HR: Insights from people leaders
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Human resources is playing a critical role in helping organizations respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief human resources officers expect that influence to persist.
David Thodey headshot
Interview
Lessons in leadership: Making government “a great place to work”
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David Thodey has led successful transformations across Australia’s public and private sectors. He recently sat down with McKinsey to share his recipe for success.

Building modern, resilient organisations

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Report
The State of Organizations 2023: Ten shifts transforming organizations
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Organizations today face ten significant shifts. Here’s what to do about them.
Water splash collision in midair
Article
Into all problem-solving, a little dissent must fall
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In today’s interconnected business environment, companies won’t be able to solve problems effectively without encouraging “contributory dissent”—a healthy approach to gathering diverse perspectives that should be taught to team members, modeled by leaders, and supported by culture.
A fresh leaf
Article
HR’s new operating model
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Interviews with more than 100 chief human resources officers and people leaders reveal how the HR operating model is changing to drive value in a volatile business environment.
Creative coworkers chatting over ideas in office
Podcast
The office of the future: A whole new (floor) plan
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Revisiting your talent strategy for a hybrid world? Think hard about the purpose and design of your office space.
color smoke
Article
Value, speed, and scale: A new era for operations in Asia
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CEOs are embracing radical new approaches in business operations to rapidly scale growth. And Asia will be a dynamic proving ground.
Transitioning to a circular business model with design
Blog Post
Transitioning to a circular business model with design
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Circular models allow us to rethink the systems that make products and services possible. Adoption through a human-centered design-lens is key.

Creating agile organisations

How a major New Zealand retailer reinvented itself around customer satisfaction
Impact Story

How a major New Zealand retailer reinvented itself around customer satisfaction

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The Warehouse Group partnered with McKinsey on a complete transformation, improving customer experience, upskilling employees, and expanding its carbon neutral vision—all while growing its bottom line.
The science behind transformations: Sustaining value after implementation
Blog Post
The science behind transformations: Sustaining value after implementation
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Even after implementation, a company’s hard work is not finished. To preserve the long-term value of business transformation, sustaining substantial changes to business-as-usual structures, processes, and systems is a must.
Young mother working from home - stock photo
Article
Transforming government in a new era
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How engaged public servants, enabled by technology, can deliver better outcomes in a time of disruption.
Image of Andy Penn
Interview
You can’t move too fast: A conversation with Andy Penn
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As CEO of Telstra, Andy Penn reinvented the company’s product offerings, digital capabilities, overall structure, and performance. Here’s how he transformed the organization to meet the moment.
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Article
The powerful role financial incentives can play in a transformation
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Generous and specific financial incentives can help drive and sustain a rapid performance improvement. Seven principles can assist in delivering the maximum benefit during a transformation.
A single white flower growing out of a crack in a piece of concrete
Discussion Paper - MGI Research
On the cusp of a new era?
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Current economic and political turbulence could presage the start of a new era that is structurally very different with a new narrative of progress.