McKinsey Quarterly

Editor’s choice

Reviving the art of apprenticeship to unlock continuous skill development

Postpandemic skill gaps need filling, and formal learning alone won’t do the trick. Scaling the lost art of one-on-one learning can make the difference.

Learn more

How one approach to M&A is more likely to create value than all others

October 13, 2021 – Two decades of research show that, while large deals still have their place, programmatic M&A strategies continue to create...

Strategy for a digital world

October 8, 2021 – A winning digital strategy requires new twists to familiar moves.

‘Great Attrition’ or ‘Great Attraction’? The choice is yours

September 8, 2021 – A record number of employees are quitting or thinking about doing so. Organizations that take the time to learn why—and act thoughtfully—will...

The latest Five Fifty

The invisible edge

McKinsey Quarterly Five Fifty—Fast-growing companies spend more than slower companies on intangible assets such as brand, skills, and knowledge. Are you investing enough in the assets you can’t see?

View Edition Scan more Five Fifties

The Magazine

Issue

Making sense of the return from remote

September 1, 2021 – Explores the disconnect between companies (who want a full return to the office) and employees (who prefer remote and hybrid options); and highlights ways that companies can build on the gains they made during the pandemic.

In this issue

It’s time for leaders to get real about hybrid

July 9, 2021 – Employers are ready to get back to significant in-person presence. Employees aren’t. The disconnect is deeper than most...

Three keys to building a more skilled postpandemic workforce

July 30, 2021 – Many companies face large, and growing, skills deficits. A few companies approach skill building in a more integrated way—and...

Overcoming stigma: Three strategies toward better mental health in the workplace

July 23, 2021 – Employees are worried about their mental health as they return to the workplace after the COVID-19 pandemic. Stigma can exacerbate...

2021 issues

Issue

Race in the workplace

June 1, 2021 – Identifies ten thorny challenges that companies must resolve to reverse the profound inequities facing Black workers; and offers lessons for improving both the well-being and productivity of individuals, teams, and organizations.

Issue

Time to redefine the next normal. Again.

March 1, 2021 – Looks at how the pandemic is redefining operating models; also, mental health in the workplace, how leaders can instill purpose through an organization, and a thorough look at the future of Asian companies, with many interviews of top CEOs.

2020 issues

Finding meaning in difficult times

December 1, 2020 – Examines the role leaders play in helping their employees find meaning and purpose in times of crisis, makes the clear business case for dynamic portfolio management, and offers advice for CEOs around three important, technology-fueled trends.

The CEO moment: Leading toward the next normal

September 1, 2020 – Examines the shifting role of the CEO in the wake of COVID-19, explores what a postpandemic organization could look like, and explains why inclusion and diversity are especially important during a crisis.

Climate: Shared risk. Shared response.

June 1, 2020 – Highlights the increasing threats of climate change, explores how today’s leaders can mitigate the more critical effects, and looks at how different industries are charting their own sustainability journeys.

Playing for the long haul

March 1, 2020 – Explains why companies that take a long-term view of value creation thrive, highlights the technology-driven business changes on the horizon, and takes a close look at the future of work.