McKinsey Talks Talent
McKinsey talent experts Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock lead discussions with globally recognized experts and thought leaders on talent, transformational change, and leadership development. Listen in to learn how to navigate a fast-changing business landscape and prepare for the future of work by turning talent into competitive advantage.
Episodes
What it takes to build “genius at scale”
That elusive Eureka moment: Every leader strives for it—but it can’t be forced. And as Harvard Business School Professor Linda Hill argues in her new book Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation (Harvard Business Publishing, March 2026), innovation is less about a flash of insight than about creating the conditions for breakthrough ideas to take hold and scale. In this epis
The problem with ‘bringing your whole self to work’
Being yourself at work has become a corporate mantra—and it certainly started in a well-meaning way. But it can also have significant downsides, according to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead). In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Chamorro-Premuzic joins McKinsey leaders and talent experts Brooke Weddle and
US manufacturing’s next test: Building a workforce for a new era
Manufacturing is back at the center of the US economic agenda. Yet the sector faces a persistent talent shortage—and to bridge it, leaders will need to rethink how they attract, train, and retain a new generation of manufacturing employees. “Manufacturers need to be driving the conversation, not waiting for the workforce ecosystem to arrive at their door,” says Carolyn Lee, Presi
How smart people end up in the wrong careers
Many high performers think they’re doing everything right—yet still feel somehow wrong about their day-to-day. And the advent of AI means work-related decision-making is more complex than ever. As job uncertainty ups the ante, more employees might be tempted to settle for the “B+ life,” in the words of Suzy Welch, author of Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your
What leaders can learn from Homeboy Industries
In the US, many companies still struggle to fill essential roles. What if part of the solution involves talent that has traditionally been overlooked? Take Johanna Carbajal, who spent her adolescence shuttling between juvenile hall, foster care, and the streets before landing in prison at 18. After her release, Johanna made her way to Homeboy Industries, the Los Angeles–based organization fo
Building a talent pipeline for the AI era
AI is ushering in a new era of work, and smart employers are staying ahead of the curve by rethinking how to cultivate the skills their organizations need to thrive. The best leaders realize they won’t be able to do it alone, according to Beth Cobert, president of affiliates and strategic partnerships at Strada Education Foundation. On this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Cobert joins McKi
Talent wins: the growing business of women’s sports
On this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, McKinsey talent experts Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock join Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly for a conversation with Jason Wright, managing partner and head of investments at Project Level and former president of the NFL’s Washington Commanders. Together, they explore how women’s sports is scaling rapidly—and what it takes to buil
How the right operating model can close your performance gap
A smart strategy is vital—but in today’s fast-changing world, it isn’t enough. Our research suggests that even high-performing companies fail to deliver on the potential of their strategy, to the tune of about 30 percent. But the right operating model can change all that. “The opportunity that comes from closing the 30 percent gap between strategy and performance is real,&r
What the labor market isn’t telling you—yet
AI is fast transforming work as we’ve known it—and the latest data on jobs doesn’t always reflect the changes underway. “One word sums it up best: ‘uncertainty,’” says Svenja Gudell, chief economist of global employment platform Indeed. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Svenja joins McKinsey talent leaders Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock, along wit
The future of work is agentic
Think about your org chart. Now imagine it features both your current colleagues—humans, if you’re like most of us—and AI agents. That’s not science fiction; it’s happening—and it’s happening relatively quickly, according to McKinsey Senior Partner Jorge Amar. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Jorge joins McKinsey talent leaders Brooke Weddle and B
The surprising state of employee health
Leaders have long recognized the importance of a healthy workforce to driving economic productivity. But they might be surprised at the value at stake—and at the size of the employee population in less-than-fine fettle. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, McKinsey talent leaders and Global Leader of the McKinsey Health Institute Lucy Pérez speak with Global Editorial Direct
How to get return to office right
Return to office (RTO) is on the rise. But in the words of McKinsey partner and talent expert Bryan Hancock, “It doesn’t matter where you ask someone to be. What matters is what you do with them once they’re there.” On this episode of , Hancock and McKinsey senior partner Brooke Weddle speak with global editorial director Lucia Rahilly about surprising soon-to-be-published
The value of generosity in leadership
Time is finite and leadership pressures are legion, particularly in the throes of change. Nevertheless, the best leaders persist in cultivating generosity with their teams—and they see a range of advantages as a result. On this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, McKinsey leaders and talent experts Brooke Weddle, Bryan Hancock, and Dana Maor speak with global edi
What works—and doesn’t—in performance management
New research reveals what employees find fair, what motivates them to perform, and where many organizations go wrong when it comes to feedback, compensation, and annual ratings and reviews. On this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, talent experts Bryan Hancock and Brooke Weddle speak with global editorial director Lucia Rahilly about new research on what drives performance: what motivates employee
Why being in HR is getting tougher—and how to break through
Everybody hurts sometimes, R.E.M. once famously sang. And if you’re in human resources, your job is to help. On this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, McKinsey leaders and talent experts Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock join Wendy Miller, McKinsey’s chief people officer for North America, as well as global editorial director Lucia Rahilly, to discuss the dynamics that are making HR tougher than eve
Understanding what neurodivergent employees need to succeed
Neurodivergent people make up a substantial percentage of the global population. How can companies best put their distinctive capabilities to work? On this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, McKinsey senior partner Brooke Weddle, partner Bryan Hancock, and global editorial director Lucia Rahilly speak with Dr. Lawrence Fung, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Univ
Managing in the era of gen AI
Middle management was already a tough gig. Then generative AI (gen AI) entered the fray. A year after the publication of their book Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work (Harvard Business Review Press, July 2023), McKinsey partners Bryan Hancock and Emily Field join global editorial director Lucia Rahilly to revisit whether and why middle managers matter, what leade
Workers wanted: How to fill the skilled-trade shortage
Plumbers, carpenters, builders, and engineers are in short supply. What will it take to meet the demand for these skills in the United States and globally? In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock join host Lucia Rahilly to discuss how to attract—and keep—people in these roles and drive productivity. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation.See w
Why so many bad bosses still rise to the top
Narcissism. Overconfidence. Low EQ. Why do we persist in selecting for leadership traits that hamper organizational progress—and leave the right potential leaders in the wrong roles? In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?: (And How to Fix It) (Harvard Business Review Press, March 2019), joins McKinsey talent
Rethinking organizational health for the new world of work
Yes, organizational health still drives long-term performance—but the way leaders measure and diagnose health should change, new research shows. McKinsey partners Bryan Hancock and Brooke Weddle join global editorial director Lucia Rahilly to discuss McKinsey’s recently updated Organizational Health Index: how it works, what has changed, and why it’s still among the best predictors of whether you
It’s cool to be kind: The value of empathy at work
Empathy: we all aspire to it, but does it really make a performance difference in the workplace? Definitely, according to Jamil Zaki, a research psychologist at Stanford University and author of The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World (Crown, June 2019). In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Jamil joins McKinsey talent leaders Bryan Hancock and Brooke Weddle, with global ed
The shape of talent in 2023 and 2024
As the impetus of New Year’s resolutions starts to fade, the year’s real work begins. Whatcan the dizzying pace of change in 2023 teach us about what’s next? Join McKinsey partners Bryan Hancock and Brooke Weddle, in conversation with global editorial director Lucia Rahilly, as they speak about the trends that shaped last year’s talent landscape—and those poised to redefine its contours in 2024.Se
Human-centered AI: The power of putting people first
‘Humans in the loop’: It’s the angst-ameliorating mantra for the new age of generative AI. But what does it really mean? In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Stanford University professor Melissa Valentine joins McKinsey partners Bryan Hancock and Brooke Weddle, along with global editorial director Lucia Rahilly, to discuss human-centered artificial intelligence: what it is, how it improves p
Right skills, right person, right role
With the rise of more technical roles across industries and sectors, and a shortage of people to fill them, skills-based hiring could help organizations access new talent pools. McKinsey partners Bryan Hancock and new co-host Brooke Weddle join global editorial director Lucia Rahilly in conversation.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
The future of middle management
Most of us don’t exactly dream about becoming a middle manager. But in fact, middle managers play a pivotal role in organizational success, according to the new book Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work (Harvard Business Review Press, July 2023). On this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, authors Emily Field, Bryan Hancock, and Bill Schaninger talk with global edit
Making sense of generational stereotypes at work
Look around. If you’re like many of us, your workplace comprises members of four, possibly even five, generations—and attention to age-based differences is mounting. On this episode of the McKinsey Talks Talent podcast, talent leaders Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger talk to global editorial director Lucia Rahilly about new research on generational preferences at work: what’s myth, what matters,
Generative AI and the future of HR
Generative AI: it’s powerful. It’s accessible. And it’s poised to change the way we work. On this episode of the McKinsey Talks Talent podcast, talent leaders Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger talk with McKinsey Technology Council chair Lareina Yee and global editorial director Lucia Rahilly about the promise and pitfalls of using gen AI in HR—from recruiting to performance management to chatbot-e
Workplace rituals: Recapturing the power of what we’ve lost
Office rituals matter—and in a range of ways. But the pandemic has made many rituals moot, at a time when employees need them most. In this episode of the McKinsey Talks Talent podcast, talent leaders Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger talk to global editorial director Lucia Rahilly about how to develop rituals for the changing world of work—and what all of us stand to lose unless rituals are revit
Talent in a changing market: What now?
What should leaders implement to gain traction in a volatile talent landscape? For one–flexibility in all its myriad forms–is key. Talent experts Bonnie Dowling, Bryan Hancock, and Bill Schaninger weigh in with McKinsey global editorial director, Lucia Rahilly.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Quiet quitting and performance management
Churn is up. Engagement is down. And year-end reviews are here. Are you worried giving feedback will make workers feel worse?See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
The office of the future: A whole new (floor) plan
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 27:06) > In this episode of the McKinsey Talks Talent podcast, McKinsey talent leaders Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger speak with senior expert Phil Kirschner about the office space of the future: what workers want, what employers need, and how workplaces will need to change accordingly.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy
Stave off attrition with an internal talent marketplace
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 17:27) > There’s a talent shortage and many jobs to fill. By using an internal talent marketplace, organizations can hire from within. The result is win-win. Emily Field, expert associate partner joins talent partners Bryan Hancock, Bill Schaninger, and McKinsey's global editorial director, Lucia Rahilly, to discuss.See www.
Is worker power on the rise?
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 21:44) > Quitting is up, and so are wages. As the Great Attrition persists, employer–employee dynamics appear to be changing. But who actually benefits—and how durably? Hear talent experts Bill Schaninger and Bryan Hancock share their thoughts on who has power, who doesn't – and why.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for pr
Talent at a turning point: How people analytics can help
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:11) > Rising resignations. Hybrid work. The diversity imperative. Leaders are navigating a talent market in flux. Today, hear from David Green, coauthor (with Jonathan Ferrar) of Excellence in People Analytics. He speaks with McKinsey’s Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger about a talent market in the throes of changes—and h
How business should move forward in 2022 as the pandemic persists
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 25:47) > In a wide-ranging discussion, hear Bryan and Bill discuss the Great Attrition, employee mental health and the significance of thoughtful middle managers as the pandemic persists.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 40:45) > Too often, LGBTQ+ workers are "the only" in the office, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Diana Ellsworth, McKinsey partner and leader of our work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, talks with McKinsey talent experts Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger about our latest research on how to better support our LG
Culture in the hybrid workplace
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 34:34) > Hybrid is happening. Is your culture ready? Hear from McKinsey talent experts Bryan Hancock, Bill Schaninger and Brooke Weddle on the need to radically reshape culture for the hybrid workplace— and on how to get started.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Grabbing hold of the new future of work
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 34:56) > The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped existing workforce trends and catalyzed new ones. Here’s what’s next—and what to do about it.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
The elusive inclusive workplace
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 33:07) > You’ve committed to fast progress on diversity. Are your talent practices helping--or hindering?See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
The vanishing middle manager
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 28:44) > In the COVID-19 pandemic, middle management is once more under assault. But what do we stand to lose in a flatter future?See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Grief, loss, burnout: Talking about complex feelings at work
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 36:33) > The COVID-19 crisis has unleashed emotions at unprecedented scale and intensity. Here’s how to help.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Today’s skills, tomorrow’s jobs: The reskilling imperative
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 35:18) > Automation will leave few roles untouched. McKinsey’s Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger on how to ensure you and your team thrive in the future of work.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Next-level sales talent: HR’s message to the CEO
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 32:24) > McKinsey’s Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger on how the right data-driven approach can bolster sales-force performance -- and help HR draw a direct line from talent to value with the CEO.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
The new science of talent: From roles to returns
Read more > Listen to the podcast (duration: 26:17) > McKinsey’s Bryan Hancock and Bill Schaninger on the new technologies that help get the right people into the right roles fast -- generating higher returns, happier employees, and potentially, more women in the C-suite in the bargain.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
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