Monthly Highlights, December 2022

To learn and lead through volatility, order Deliberate Calm

Monthly Highlights, December 2022

Managing complex organizations is much harder today than it was just a few years ago, write Homayoun Hatami, McKinsey global leader of capabilities practices, and Liz Hilton Segel, McKinsey global leader of industry practices. How can CEOs decide what needs to be done now and what can wait? Our featured stories this month outline six priorities that feature prominently on worldwide CEO agendas, as well as five core actions to help CEOs meet dual imperatives—resilience and net zero—at the heart of a new sustainability strategy. Other highlights in this month’s issue include the following topics:

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a framework to help companies prioritize actions and collaborations that can contribute to sustainable, inclusive growth

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a view of the flows driving global integration and an assessment of interdependency and concentration risks

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why companies will need to begin building many more businesses than they have thus far to meet their revenue expectations in the years ahead

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how a skill-based approach can help US employers expand talent pools and retain great workers

Editor’s choice

Image of a person crossing the street holding a coffee cup

What matters most? Six priorities for CEOs in turbulent times

With economic troubles mounting, it’s a time to tighten belts and put on hard hats. But don’t forget the jet pack, to accelerate into the next phase of growth.

Take courage

Image of a glowing, open doorway with two sets of footprints with circling paths at either side and a third set of footprints heading through the door

A devilish duality: How CEOs can square resilience with net-zero promises

Amid turbulence on the path to net zero, leaders will have to be much nimbler to balance resilience with an energy future that is secure, affordable, and clean. Five actions can help.

5 core actions

THIS MONTH’s HIGHLIGHTS

Group portrait of garden center workers standing together with plant crates

Toward a sustainable, inclusive, growing future: The role of business

To make the world as sustainable and inclusive as we hope, a certain kind of economic growth will be necessary—and companies will play a vital role in generating it.
Prioritize what’s to come

Digitally generated image of a 3D, blue, spherical shape

Global flows: The ties that bind in an interconnected world

Economic and political turbulence have prompted speculation that the world is already deglobalizing. But the evidence suggests that global integration is here to stay, albeit with nuance.
Boost resilience

Digital image of various blue shapes on a black background

New-business building in 2022: Driving growth in volatile times

A new global survey finds that new-business building can boost growth and value. However, to meet revenue expectations in the future, companies must dramatically increase their efforts.
Get the support

Taking a skills-based approach to building the future workforce

Our work with the Rework America Alliance highlights how a skills-based approach can help US employers expand talent pools and retain great workers—even through economic uncertainty.
Break the mold

Image of gray puzzle pieces on a blue background

Global Insurance Report 2023: Reimagining life insurance

The global life insurance industry is facing an inflection point. A fundamental reimagination will usher in significant change.
Examine the data

Illustration of a woman disintegrating while looking into a virtual reality headset

Even in the metaverse, women remain locked out of leadership roles

Five early indicators on women in the metaverse reveal gender inequality—especially in the leadership creating and setting metaverse standards.
Infuse diverse leadership

ALSO New

Future of B2B sales: The big reframe

Why bad strategy is a ‘social contagion’

The State of Fashion 2023: Holding onto growth as global clouds gather

Building a world-class Dutch start-up ecosystem

Communicating headwinds and tailwinds

(Extremely) out of office: Let nature boost your team’s creativity and performance

‘It’s important to bring the spirit of emergencies to the long term’

More for less: Five ways to lower cloud costs without destroying value

Starting strong: Making your CEO transition a catalyst for renewal

Becoming indispensable: Moving past e-commerce to NeXT commerce

When things get rocky, practice deliberate calm

114 down, 10 million to go: The Global Lighthouse Network’s mission

Prioritizing brain health: Scaling what works to add years to life and life to years

Special features

Deliberate calm

Experts offer a unique approach to learning and leading with awareness and intentional choice, even amid the most challenging circumstances.
Order now

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The Next Normal

AI—if properly integrated into scientists’ research—could revolutionize drug discovery.
Look ahead

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McKinsey guide to managing yourself

Insights from leaders around the world can help improve your professional and personal life.
See the posts

Then-and-now photos of McKinsey partner Gayatri Shenai

My Rookie Moment

Senior McKinsey colleagues talk about experiences related to wellness.
Watch the episode

Digital illustration of the internal workings of a computer

Classics

Progress in digitizing the risk function and its processes has proceeded slowly. But “slowly” doesn’t mean “never.” Read our classic article “Digital risk: Transforming risk management for the 2020s.”
Rewind

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Subscribe

— Edited by Eleni Kostopoulos, editor, New York

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﻿Monthly Highlights, December 2022

Editor’s choice

Monthly Highlights, December 2022