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Leadership lessons from the military
Explore insights on military leadership, problem solving, and managing through crises.
US Military interviews: International perspectives
Interview
- McKinsey Quarterly
Reenergizing an exhausted organization: A conversation with Admiral John Richardson
December 1, 2020
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The former chief of naval operations suggests strategies for leaders to avoid burnout and prevent pandemic fatigue.
Article
Overcoming pandemic fatigue: How to reenergize organizations for the long run
November 25, 2020
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Leaders must actively manage the energy of their workforces, cultivate the quality of employee relationships, and demonstrate...
Video
A former European defense chief offers leadership lessons for tackling coronavirus
March 27, 2020
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The former chief of defense of the Netherlands armed forces, Tom Middendorp, describes his approach to crisis management amid...
Interview
- McKinsey Quarterly
How the British Army’s operations went agile
October 31, 2019
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Military commanders have had to change the way they operate in the field. Corporate executives should take note.
Interview
How the British Field Army headquarters shifted to agile ways of working
November 30, 2020
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Facing increasing operational responsibilities, HQ Field Army undertook a massive effort to embrace agile ways of working. Leaders...
Defense industry dynamics
Article
Decarbonizing defense: Imperative and opportunity
July 1, 2021
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Defense organizations are a major source of carbon emissions. How can they operate more sustainably while preserving mission-critical...
Article
Digital: The next horizon for global aerospace and defense
May 11, 2021
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Digital can help A&D become more resilient, efficient, and innovative. Here’s how.
Report
Seizing the moment: Talent challenges and opportunities in aerospace and defense
April 12, 2021
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Aerospace and defense companies face tough competition when recruiting talent. How can they reinvigorate the pipeline?
Article
Call to action: How A&D companies can build the workforce of the future
August 19, 2020
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In light of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the aerospace and defense sector is reimagining talent management...
Leading through crisis
Article
Leadership in a crisis: Responding to the coronavirus outbreak and future challenges
March 16, 2020
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For many executives, the coronavirus pandemic is a crisis unlike any other in recent times. Five leadership practices can help...
Article
The disaster you could have stopped: Preparing for extraordinary risks
December 15, 2020
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Ignoring high-consequence, low-likelihood risks can be damaging to an organization, but preparing for everything is impossibly...
Survey
Building workforce skills at scale to thrive during—and after—the COVID-19 crisis
April 30, 2021
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A new survey shows that skill building is becoming common practice, social and emotional skills are in demand, and there’s...
Article
- McKinsey Quarterly
From a room called fear to a room called hope: A leadership agenda for troubled times
July 9, 2020
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Leaders can make a difference through personal accountability, caring, and “re-onboarding” of
all
their...
Article
The toughest leadership test
May 28, 2020
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CEO microhabits can help leaders seize the moment, stay ahead, and take care of themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Building future skills
Article
Defining the skills citizens will need in the future world of work
June 25, 2021
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To future-proof citizens’ ability to work, they will require new skills—but which ones? A survey of 18,000 people...
Article
Unequal America: Ten insights on the state of economic opportunity
May 26, 2021
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The inaugural McKinsey American Opportunity Survey spotlights Americans’ views on economic opportunity, the obstacles they...
American perceptions of economic opportunity
The McKinsey American Opportunity Survey spotlights what Americans feel about their current economic standing, their views on...
Report
Unlocking experience-based job progressions for millions of workers
June 2, 2021
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Millions of US workers without four-year college degrees are unemployed. Novel data analytics reveal opportunities for them to...
Featured insights
Job Progression Tool: Bringing job insights to the front line
The Job Progression Tool supports job seekers without a four-year college degree move to more resilient, in-demand, higher-wage...
Article
- McKinsey Quarterly
Leadership lessons from the Royal Navy
January 1, 2013
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This branch of the British armed services consciously fosters cheerfulness and nourishes its collective memory. Business executives...
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