A strong cadre of leaders is essential for firms to thrive in todays complex and fast changing environment. This academically thorough, yet practical book shows how to build such a cadre of a leaders
Alain Bejjani, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding
Transformation means changing at scale starting with leaders. Our organization like many has limited resources and this book really showed me how we could use time and money effectively to create better leaders everywhere that counts
Andrea Clemente, HR Latin America Whirlpool Corporation
There are hundreds of magic recipes in the market about the most important attributes of great leaders, but most of them provide only limited help to translating these lessons into concrete leadership growth programmes across the whole organization. This book is very different. It integrates the teaching on very thoroughly researched, highly practical and wide-ranging leadership development approaches with a fictitious implementation story, which stays entertaining until the very end
Bernd Uhe, Global Head of Human Resources, Pictet Group
I find this book very illuminating. It is one of the best pieces I read about leadership since Leadership at Scale is a unique blend of cutting edge, field-tested research on developing the right leadership at scale, and a roadmap to make it happen in practice. The book is both: a state-of-the-art reference for the different research findings on Leadership and a practical handbook of how to make sustainable and lasting change happen. It has everything for firms and their leaders to cope with todays increasingly complex, volatile and hence challenging world
Bruno Pfister, Chairman of Rothschild Bank AG
Most leadership development programs disappoint or are being canceled to generate quick savings, leaving many organizations short of capable leaders. Yet, building leaders is one of the key priorities for organizations in todays dynamic and complex environment. This book shows how firms can develop a leadership culture that can help them thrive and prosper
Daniel Vasella, M.D., Chairman and CEO Emeritus Novartis AG
Building the bench of leaders necessary to lead corporations in todays world is a key CEO priority. The task is hard and complex. Leadership at Scale shows how. It is academically thorough, comprehensive, and practical. An invaluable resource for company leaders
Gitte P. Aabo, President & Chief Executive Officer, LEO Pharma A/S
Many leadership programs focus on developing a few individuals. However given the dynamic environment firms need to be able to build more leaders and faster. This book is unique in that it compellingly answers the question of how large firms can build leaders at scale
Graham Ward, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of Organisational Behaviour, INSEAD Business School
Leadership at Scale provides a clear methodology for increasing leadership effectiveness across an organization, not only for the top leaders, but for all employees. A key resource for leaders who need to prepare their organizations to master the challenges ahead
Joe Jimenez, Board Director, Procter & Gamble and General Motors
This book shows you both WHAT skills really matter to organizational performance depending on your context, and HOW to create lasting leadership change across the organization. A practical and thoughtful book that addresses very well the multidimensional aspects of leadership
Jrg Reinhardt, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors, Novartis AG
At a time of technology-driven change, the need to inspire, engage and tap into the creativity of employees demands better leaders. This book sets out how that can happen
Kevin Sneader, Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
Today many organizations are trying to simplify and become more dynamic. However, decentralizing decision power and engaging all members of large organizations requires building more and stronger leaders. Leadership at Scale is a practical guide to do so
Mario Greco, Chief Executive Officer, Zurich Insurance Group
Large-scale organizations present particular challenges. At the NHS, Europes largest employer, all 1.3m staff are potential leaders. This deeply-researched book shows how to work at scale, to simplify, concentrate and sustain leadership development for large organizations: it tells us who to develop and why, how and for how long, and in what ways. As a practical guide it is invaluable
Professor Nicki Latham, former COO Health Education England (NHS), responsible for the NHS Leadership Academy
To institutionalize themselves organizations need a leadership culture. This book shows compellingly and practically how to do it. A worthwhile read!
Nicolas Pictet, Senior Partner, Pictet Group
A first class template demonstrating how to use superior leadership to drive performance in large organizations
Paul Myners (Lord Myners), former FTSE100 Chair and Treasury Minister
The core principles outlined in this book are relevant for all organizations, regardless of size, industry or strategy. In a more and more digitized world this book should be required reading in particular for young leaders
Rolf Drig, Chairman of the Board of the Swiss Life Group and Adecco
An organization with better leaders will invariably have better results. This practical guide shows you how to develop your leaders by focusing on what drives performance and on what people can learn easily and quickly on the job. The authors show how this approach can work for many leaders right across your organization
Stuart Rose (Lord Rose), Chairman, Ocado PLC
While there are many books about individual leadership development, the new focus here is on improving leadership effectiveness across a whole organization, based on your specific context and strategy. This book will show you a theoretically sound but still pragmatic way to improved leadership effectiveness
Prof. Dr. Thomas A. Gutzwiller, Partner, GW Partners AG, and Professor in Corporate and Leadership Development at the University of St. Gallen, Executive School of Management
Leadership is our most valuable resource to drive positive change in business and society. Leadership at Scale is a comprehensive, academically thorough, and yet practical guide on increasing leadership effectiveness across a large organization, not only for the top leaders, but for all employees. I look forward to applying the principles in our organization
Vasant Narasimhan, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Novartis AG
Leadership at Scale
Better leadership, better results
CLAUDIO FESER,
MICHAEL RENNIE
& NICOLAI CHEN NIELSEN
Dedication
For Evelyne, Dario, and Alessio, for your understanding, support, and love.
Claudio
For my mother Patricia who through her values and love inspired my lifelong interest in leadership.
Michael
For Samira, for your unwavering support and love, and for always believing in me.
Nicolai
Contents
Acknowledgements
This book is the result of a broad effort, and draws on insights and extensive contributions from over 30 senior McKinsey leadership development practitioners globally. Below are the key contributors, and specific chapter authors are also acknowledged at the beginning of each chapter.
CORE CONTRIBUTORS
Andr Dua is a Senior Partner in McKinseys New York office. He is a founder of McKinsey Academy, the founder of McKinseys Higher Education Practice, and the founder of McKinseys State and Local Government Practice.
