Navigating geopolitics, checklist for CEOs, the State of Fashion 2025, 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

This weekend, catch up on the week’s big insights on navigating geopolitics, the essential checklist for CEOs, the State of Fashion 2025, and more.

An image linking to the web page A proactive approach to navigating geopolitics is essential to thrive” on McKinsey.com

Business leaders today view geopolitical tensions as the biggest risk to economic growth. They must have the fortitude to seize opportunities amid volatility, complexity, and uncertainty, write Cindy Levy, Shubham Singhal, and Matt Watters .

Explore 10 key value drivers

An image linking to the web page “The CEO’s essential checklist: Questions every chief executive should be able to answer” on McKinsey.com

A CEO checklist can help leaders navigate their organization’s performance to new heights, according to Carolyn Dewar, Kurt Strovink, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra . Learn more about the 18-question CEO checklist which can also be downloaded at the end of the article.

Turn mindsets into practices

An image linking to the web page “The State of Fashion 2025: Challenges at every turn” on McKinsey.com

Amid economic uncertainty, geographic disparities, and shifting customer behavior and preferences, the fashion industry is in for a particularly tumultuous and uncertain 2025. Finding pockets of growth means navigating a complex maze, write Anita Balchandani, Gemma D’Auria, and coauthors.

Identify the bright spots

An image linking to the web page “Improving organizational health in the public sector: Achieving tangible impact” on McKinsey.com

Governments often face more constraints in meeting their objectives than most private sector companies do. Arne Gast, Tarek Mansour, Tom Isherwood , and coauthors explore how the public sector can improve and maintain organizational health.

Strengthen organizational health and effectiveness

Ready to unwind?

An image linking to the web page “Uniting organizations with next-generation operational excellence” on McKinsey.com

Uniting organizations with next-generation operational excellence

Next-generation operational excellence starts with lean principles, investing in people, and using technology for collaboration. McKinsey senior partners Kimberly Borden and Mike Parkins describe how.

Take the next step forward

An image linking to the web page “What is Davos?” on McKinsey.com

What is Davos?

Davos, Switzerland, is where the World Economic Forum holds its annual meeting. Delegates from many sectors converge for several days of talks and meetings to address urgent global issues.

Check out the updated Explainer

An image linking to the web page “16-Across: Supremely self‑satisfied” on McKinsey.com

16-Across: Supremely self‑satisfied

Know the answer? Test yourself with the latest McKinsey Crossword: Avian Similes | No. 206

Pecking order

—Edited by Joyce Yoo, editor, New York

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