Learning from top CEOs, the infrastructure moment, holiday shopping, and more: The Weekend Read

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The Weekend Read

CURATED PICKS FOR YOUR DOWNTIME, FROM OUR EDITORS

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Brought to you by Alex Panas, global leader of industries, & Axel Karlsson, global leader of functional practices and growth platforms

Welcome to the latest edition of The Weekend Read. We hope you find our perspectives useful. Let us know what you think at Alex_Panas@McKinsey.com and Axel_Karlsson@McKinsey.com.

—Alex and Axel

As you wrap up the work week, get updated on the week’s big insights on mastering each season of leadership, the infrastructure moment, holiday shopping, and more.

Photograph of Carolyn Dewar, Kurt Strovink, Scott Keller, and Vik Malhotra sitting together in a modern office.

Drawing on extensive CEO counseling experience and more than 30 interviews with top-ranked CEOs, McKinsey senior partners and best-selling authors Carolyn Dewar, Kurt Strovink, Scott Keller, and Vik Malhotra discuss their new book, A CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership, which comes out October 7.

4 phases of leadership

3D model illustration of futuristic city expanding the foundations of modern society

The definition of infrastructure is expanding. And this is demanding a fundamental mindset shift among governments, investors, and industry operators about how to fund, build, use, and maintain it. Those who act decisively today will shape the future of connectivity, economic growth, and societal well-being for generations to come, write Alastair Green, Ishaan Nangia, and Nicola Sandri.

Check out the report

Weekly spotlight on geopolitics

Semiconductors underpin critical industries including consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace and defense, and more. Bill Wiseman and coauthors discuss how semiconductor executives could prepare their companies for the potential impacts of tariffs and explore different scenarios to mitigate them.

An image linking to the web page “The effects of tariffs on the semiconductor industry” on McKinsey.com

Assess the impact of tariffs

Two men dressed for warmer weather look through their purchases while holding holiday themed shopping bags. String lights adorn the trees behind them.

US consumers have already started shopping for the winter holidays. According to the latest ConsumerWise survey, they are concerned about inflation and looking for value. Emily Reasor shares more insights from the survey in the latest episode of the McKinsey on Consumer & Retail podcast.

Sören Jautelat and coauthors explain how advanced industries are beginning to realize the agentic AI opportunity—and how it can unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and competitive advantage.

Unlock the potential of agentic AI

Ready to unwind?

Photo of Saswat Panigrahi.

‘The inflection point has arrived’: Waymo’s vision for the future of mobility

As Waymo’s autonomous vehicles gain traction, the company’s chief product officer considers the next phase of autonomy: international rollouts, safer streets, and growing consumer trust.

The tech-strategy nexus

Snowcapped Mount Watzmann in the Berchtesgadener Land, Bavaria/ Germany

Matt Holt on how privacy and private equity can improve healthcare

Matt Holt, managing director and president of private equity at New Mountain Capital, on better data privacy standards and creating an efficient, patient-centric system with private capital investment.

Accelerate progress

Digital data flow concept illustration

Charting a path to increasing transaction banking value by 50 percent

Global transaction banking could face headwinds from customer demands, lower rates, heightened competition, and geopolitical uncertainty, but distinctive players could boost profitability.

The time to act is now

—Edited by Joyce Yoo, editor, New York

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