The power of vulnerability, an AI-powered finance function, private brands, and more: The Weekend Read

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The Daily Read Weekend Edition

CURATED PICKS FOR YOUR DOWNTIME, FROM OUR EDITORS

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

Ease into the weekend with the week’s highlights on the power of vulnerability, an AI-powered finance function, private brands, and more.

An image linking to the web page “How leaders can tap the power of vulnerability” on McKinsey.com

In this excerpt from the new book, The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out, senior partners Dana Maor , Hans-Werner Kaas, Kurt Strovink , and Ramesh Srinivasan discuss why adding vulnerability to personal growth journeys can heighten leadership potential.

An image linking to the web page “What an AI-powered finance function of the future looks like” on McKinsey.com

OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar speaks with senior partner Lareina Yee about how to lead through this era of intense technological adaptation and what it means for the future of the finance function and business leadership.

An image linking to the web page “A turning point for private brands: How retailers can seize the opportunity” on McKinsey.com

Products from private brands are appealing to consumers in new ways. Dymfke Kuijpers , Patricio Ibáñez, and coauthors explore how retailers can improve their private-brand offerings and gain market share.

A recipe for excelling in private brands

An image linking to the web page “How banks can supercharge technology speed and productivity” on McKinsey.com

Technology has reshaped banking but many banks lack the resources to fully invest in technology-enabled innovation. Productivity-focused engineering transformations can boost tech innovation without increasing IT budgets, write Leorizio D’Aversa and coauthors.

Get more from your investments

Ready to unwind?

An image linking to the web page “Author Talks: What you don’t know about John Lewis” on McKinsey.com

Author Talks: What you don’t know about John Lewis

Before his death in 2020, extensive biographies of civil rights icon John Lewis did not exist. A new biography sheds light on this dynamic leader and congressman and explains why his message still resonates.

Read exclusively on the McKinsey Insights app

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What are natural climate solutions?

Natural climate solutions, or NCS, are nature-based actions that either reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions, helping to protect, restore, and manage nature to further global climate goals.

Check out the Explainer

An image linking to the web page “36-Across: Pond king in a short story by Dr. Seuss” on McKinsey.com

36-Across: Pond king in a short story by Dr. Seuss

Know the answer? Test yourself with the latest McKinsey Crossword: Zoo Crew | No. 205

—Edited by Joyce Yoo, editor, New York

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