McKinsey Quarterly

Separating the signal from the noise since 1964

Editor’s choice

The 125th anniversary of the little engine that couldn’t

Once upon a time, the Stanley Steamer was the “car of the future” that broke speed records, drove beautifully, and famously climbed Mount Washington. What could go wrong?
Stanley Steamer's journey

‘If you’re going to build something from scratch, this might be as good a time as in a decade’
– In the second episode of our series The Quarterly Interview: Provocations to Ponder, venture capitalist Bill Gurley explains... the promise and perils facing start-ups at a moment of economic uncertainty and reveals why hybrid work may be the most interesting technology of all.

Strategic courage in an age of volatility
– Today’s challenging environment requires business leaders to hone their edge in three critical areas: insights, commitment, and... execution.

Bias busters: When good intentions get derailed
– Motivated reasoning can lead people to believe everything’s fine despite evidence to the contrary. Here’s how to counter... emotions with facts.
Read more

The latest Five Fifty

Travel takes off

McKinsey Quarterly Five Fifty—Air travel is back. Here’s what airline execs need to know to help boost travel industry recovery and navigate the latest influx of fliers.
View the editionScan more Five Fifties

The Magazine

Issue

Navigating inflation

– Inflation is a multifaceted foe, but the best CEOs can successfully manage the impact and establish a new level of organizational resilience no matter where prices move next. For many leaders, it’s the challenge of a lifetime.

In this issue

Navigating inflation: A new playbook for CEOs
– Few chief executives have faced the challenge of leading a company through an inflationary spike like today’s. Lessons from... strong leaders and bold action can help CEOs make the decisions that only they can make.

Marketing in the metaverse: An opportunity for innovation and experimentation
– Although widespread adoption of the metaverse may take some time, leading brands are already rewriting the rules of marketing.

Black representation in the beauty industry
– Black beauty consumers and brands face deep challenges when it comes to equity. Removing those barriers can lead to greater opportunity... for everyone in the industry.

2022 issues

Issue

Unearthing value from net-zero
– Because of the momentum behind reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases, we may be at the threshold of “the largest reallocation of capital in history.” It’s an enormous challenge—and a great opportunity for bold organizations.
Issue

The road ahead: Sustainable, inclusive growth
– Tackles one of the great business challenges of the 21st century: how to better lives and livelihoods by achieving sustainable, inclusive growth. Plus, an excerpt from CEO Excellence: The six mindsets that distinguish the best leaders from the rest.

2021 issues

Issue

‘Great Attrition’ or ‘Great Attraction’? Leaders, the choice is yours
– Spotlights why employees are quitting—and offers tips for companies hoping to stem the tide of the Great Resignation; also, strategy for a digital world, making stakeholder capitalism work, and building value through M&A.
Issue

Making sense of the return from remote
– 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.
Issue

Race in the workplace
– 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.
– 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
– 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
– 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.
– 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
– 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.  

2019 Issues

Transformation
– Explores why companies should go “all in” on transformations, looks at innovation and performance, and explains how talent is key to digital transformations.

The drumbeat of digital
– Looks at why companies should up the pace of digital-change efforts, explores the keys to successful M&A, and highlights the importance of shifting the mind-sets and behaviors that hold back organizations.

Resilience
– Addresses business resilience and how companies can prepare for the next economic downturn, explores the ins and outs of effective decision making, and takes a hard look at talent in the workplace.

Reimagining mobility
– Explores the future of mobility and what shifts mean for cars, business, and society. The issue includes perspectives from participants shaping the coming mobility revolution.

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