Thriving through volatility

Latest perspectives on resilience in Asia

Business in Asia has proven resilient during challenging economic times. In the face of COVID-19, Asian companies reinvented the way they operate more quickly and thoroughly than some had thought possible. Now, as businesses emerge post-pandemic, how can leaders position themselves for success in an era that is being shaped by the twin forces of digital and climate change—while generating growth that is both sustainable and inclusive?

In our new collection, Thriving through volatility, we bring you the latest insights on how business leaders can navigate these disruptions. We hear from global experts on what it takes to not only navigate global headwinds, but also thrive in an increasingly volatile landscape.

Featured Insights

How Asian business leaders can prepare for a volatile future
Article
How Asian business leaders can prepare for a volatile future
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During the pandemic, many Asian companies reinvented the way they operated. Those who embrace this moment to strengthen their resilience could position their companies to succeed.
Green organic cube - stock photo
Article
Green Growth: Capturing Asia’s $5 trillion green business opportunity
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Asia is a critical contributor to the global race to net zero. Proactive moves in pursuit of this goal could result in opportunities that will define tomorrow’s outcomes and successful business leaders.

Hear from our experts

FOA Insight Series
Video
What is the imperative for resilience in Asia?
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Bob Sternfels, McKinsey’s Global Managing Partner, elaborates on the imperative for resilience in Asia and why it’ll be key for companies to thrive in this era of volatility.
FOA Insight Series
Video
Building resilience in the face of rising inflation
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Few chief executives have faced the challenge of leading a company through an inflationary spike like today’s. How can CEOs guide their management teams, employees, boards, and a wide range of external stakeholders through this period? Partner Mahima Chugh outlines the five levers companies can take to stay resilient amid volatility.
FOA Insight Series
Video
How CEOs can thrive in volatility
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The current combination of shocks has created perhaps the most challenging environment management teams have ever faced—and one that likely won’t change anytime soon. Entering an age of volatility, what can CEOs do to thrive? Senior Partner Richard Lee talks about why it’s important to play offense and defense at the same time.
FOA Insight Series
Video
New business building: A new priority for CEOs
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Business leaders predict that by 2026, half of their revenues will come from products, services, or businesses that haven’t yet been created. Why is new business building emerging as a top priority for CEOs and companies? Partner Vivek Lath explains how new business building can help bridge that gap through sustainable, inclusive growth.

Click to see different themes

Leading through disruption | Sustainable and inclusive growth | Navigating the net-zero transition | The future of the workplace

Leading through disruption

How Asian business leaders can prepare for a volatile future
Article
How Asian business leaders can prepare for a volatile future
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During the pandemic, many Asian companies reinvented the way they operated. Those who embrace this moment to strengthen their resilience could position their companies to succeed.
Floating chess pieces
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
Strategic courage in an age of volatility
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Today’s challenging environment requires business leaders to hone their edge in three critical areas: insights, commitment, and execution.
origami crane floating on water
Collection
Leading Asia: An interview series with the region’s top business leaders
In our new video series, we ask some of the most influential voices in the region how they are navigating this increasingly complex landscape.
illustration circle with dots
Podcast
Redefining the modern CEO
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COVID-19 and other recent global crises have necessitated a redefinition of the role of 21st century leaders. In this McKinsey Future of Asia Podcast episode, we explore what it takes to be an excellent CEO in today’s ever-changing and challenging global environment.
Building 21st century companies in Asia
Video
Building 21st century companies in Asia
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Gautam Kumra, Chairman of McKinsey’s offices in Asia, discusses the rapid changes in Asia’s corporate landscape, and how the role and priorities of CEOs may need to evolve in a post-pandemic world.
How Australian companies can reinvent themselves in 2021
Article
How Australian companies can reinvent themselves in 2021
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To prosper in this new era of opportunity, Australian companies need to reinvent themselves. This article lays out a detailed path forward.
Reimagining leadership in Asia's next normal
Video
Reimagining leadership in Asia’s next normal
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Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke with Oliver Tonby, Chairman of McKinsey Asia, about the changing role of leaders.
Emerging stronger, fitter, faster: The rise of the Asian corporation
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
Emerging stronger, fitter, faster: The rise of the Asian corporation
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Leading CEOs in Asia explain how COVID-19 has accelerated five business trends in the region and why they’re confident that unprecedented opportunities lie ahead.

Sustainable and inclusive growth

Earth illustration
Executive Briefing
Sustainable and inclusive growth: A weekly briefing
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Growing influence for Asia could come paired with heightened challenges. Our weekly digest of insights explores that topic and more.
woman doctor comforting woman patient walking down hospital hallway
Article
Accelerating gender equality through healthcare
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As part of this year’s G20 summit, McKinsey partner Phillia Wibowo addressed the W20 working group’s plenary session in Indonesia.
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.
Sustainable and inclusive growth: A new paradigm for Asia
Video
Sustainable and inclusive growth: A new paradigm for Asia
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Can growth be sustainable and inclusive? Leaders share their perspectives on how Asian businesses can make this a reality.
Building 21st century companies in Asia
Article
Building 21st century companies in Asia
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Asia’s corporate landscape is changing rapidly and the role and priorities of CEOs may need to evolve.
Out of the shadows: Sustainably improving workplace mental health
Article
Out of the shadows: Sustainably improving workplace mental health
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The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated preexisting workplace mental health challenges, creating a new imperative for leaders to take a holistic and methodical approach to workplace mental health.
Can ASEAN maintain its growth trajectory in a post-COVID-19 world?
Podcast
Can ASEAN maintain its growth trajectory in a post-COVID-19 world?
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ASEAN has always been on an upward-growth trajectory, but how has COVID-19 affected the region?
Reimagining emerging ASEAN in the wake of COVID-19
Article
Reimagining emerging ASEAN in the wake of COVID-19
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A focus on five key levers could both accelerate the region’s recovery and make the gains more enduring.
Parity in a pandemic: An Asia perspective
Podcast
Parity in a pandemic: An Asia perspective
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Inclusion and diversity is critical for business recovery, resilience, and reimagination—and businesses need it more than ever in a postpandemic world.
Could the next normal emerge from Asia?
Article
Could the next normal emerge from Asia?
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The coronavirus pandemic is reshaping the global economy. Asia, the first part of the world affected by the crisis, has come through crises before and emerged stronger from them. We have reason to believe it can do so again. In a post pandemic world, can Asia’s nations and companies play a major role in defining the next normal?
How organizations can advance gender parity in post pandemic Asia
Video
How organizations can advance gender parity in post-pandemic Asia
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Oliver Tonby, chairman in McKinsey’s Asia offices and co-author of Future of Asia, outlines the five key areas organizations should focus on to advance gender parity in the region.
The power of parity: Advancing women’s equality in Asia Pacific
Report - MGI Research
The power of parity: Advancing women’s equality in Asia Pacific
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Advancing women’s equality in the countries of Asia Pacific could add $4.5 trillion to their collective annual GDP in 2025, a 12 percent increase over the business-as-usual trajectory.

Navigating the net-zero transition

Beautiful drone aerial view of mangrove tree tops of Malaysia primary rainforest in summer - stock photo
Article
How carbon markets can help Malaysia achieve its climate targets
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Malaysia has the opportunity to not just meet its climate targets but also support the world through additional sequestration. Acting now to scale carbon markets could help.
illustration electric vehicle plugged in
Article
Capturing growth in Asia’s emerging EV ecosystem
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Asia’s electric-vehicle market is poised for growth. Those who approach the challenges and opportunities with an ecosystem view can create significant value for their business—and the global climate.
Seizing green business growth for Asia’s energy players
Article
Seizing green business growth for Asia’s energy players
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Globally, sustainable energy and low-carbon solutions top national and corporate agendas. For regional energy players, the time to commit to new, planet-friendly ventures is now.
Decarbonizing Asia's supply chains
Video
Decarbonizing Asia’s supply chains
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The need to address the looming climate crisis seems to be grasped more broadly than ever before. How then, can corporates make tangible steps forward? Vivid Economics Directors, Thomas Kansy and Robin Smale, discuss the climate challenges Asia faces, and what companies can do to tackle them.
Technology that uses filters to remove green house gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Podcast
The path to net zero: Investing in carbon markets
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As the drive to curb global warming gathers pace, carbon markets have become increasingly fundamental to achieving net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions.
Will India get too hot to work?
Article - MGI Research
Will India get too hot to work?
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Extreme heat and humidity could put millions of lives and billions of dollars at risk across India. What will it take to reduce the risk?
Climate risk and response in Asia
Report - MGI Research
Climate risk and response in Asia
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In many ways, Asia is on the frontline of a changing climate. We analyze the extent of climate risk facing the region and effective responses for adaptation and mitigation.
Double exposure of trees and buildings - stock photo
Collection
Shapers of Sustainability
An interview series with Asia’s top sustainability leaders.

The future of the workplace

How Asia can prepare for the future of work after COVID-19
Podcast
How Asia can prepare for the future of work after COVID-19
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Which trends accelerated and sparked by COVID-19 will change the future of work in Asia? How can businesses and policy makers respond?
The future of work after COVID-19
Report - MGI Research
The future of work after COVID-19
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The pandemic accelerated existing trends in remote work, e-commerce, and automation, with up to 25 percent more workers than previously estimated potentially needing to switch occupations.
Building agile organizations for the next normal
Podcast
Building agile organizations for the next normal
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Agile companies have managed the impact of the COVID-19 crisis better than their peers.
The future of work in Japan: Accelerating automation after COVID-19
Article
The future of work in Japan: Accelerating automation after COVID-19
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Digitization has played a key role in reducing the spread of the virus and promoting a safe recovery. Now, it’s even more critical to the country’s longer-term economic health.