CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html><html dir="ltr" lang="en"><head><meta charSet="utf-8"/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"/><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"/><script>var McKinsey = {"ArticleTemplate":"Legacy","DaysSinceCMSPublication":"15","DisplayDate":"2/1/2016","OriginalPublicationDate":"2/1/2016","SourcePublication":"McKinsey Quarterly","SitecoreId":"{017E4338-987D-444B-BBAF-80A6667BA015}","Title":"How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic","ArticleType":"Article","ContentType":"Article","ServerNumber":"","IsPageRestricted":"true","UserID":"","RegistrationDate":"","LoginStatus":"logged_out","JobTitle":"","CompanyName":"","blogTags":null,"enableRegWall":true}; var pageMetaInformation = {"CurrentLanguage":"en","AlternateLanguages":[{"DisplayName":"English","LanguageCode":"en","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/how-small-shifts-in-leadership-can-transform-your-team-dynamic"}],"NavigationLink":"capabilities","ActiveItemId":"{263B5075-2E73-4049-ACE5-A781C619B562}","OfficeCode":"","MiniSiteId":"{3BACEF67-76B1-4244-B48C-DBD94B0F2B61}"};</script><link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico"/><link href="https://www.mckinsey.com/redesign/resources/css/styles-rc.css" rel="stylesheet"/><link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json"/><link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn.dynamicyield.com"/><link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//st.dynamicyield.com"/><link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//rcom.dynamicyield.com"/><link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn.cookielaw.org"/><link rel="preconnect" href="//assets.adobedtm.com"/><link rel="preconnect" href="//connect.facebook.net"/><link rel="preconnect" href="//static.hotjar.com"/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/bower/Bower-Bold.woff2" type="font/woff2" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/mckinsey-sans/regular/McKinseySans-Regular.woff2" type="font/woff2" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/mckinsey-sans/medium/McKinseySans-Medium.woff2" type="font/woff2" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/mckinsey-sans/light/McKinseySans-Light.woff2" type="font/woff2" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/mckinsey-sans/italic/McKinseySans-Italic.woff2" type="font/woff2" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/mckinsey-sans/light-italic/McKinseySans-LightItalic.woff2" type="font/woff2" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/mckinsey-sans/medium-italic/McKinseySans-MediumItalic.woff2" type="font/woff2" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/noto-sans-jp/NotoSansJP-Light.ttf" type="font/ttf" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/noto-sans-jp/NotoSansJP-Regular.ttf" type="font/ttf" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/noto-sans-jp/NotoSansJP-Medium.ttf" type="font/ttf" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/noto-sans-jp/NotoSansJP-Bold.ttf" type="font/ttf" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/noto-sans-jp/NotoSansJP-Black.ttf" type="font/ttf" crossorigin=""/><link rel="preload" as="font" href="/next-static/fonts/noto-serif-jp/NotoSerifJP-Bold.ttf" type="font/ttf" crossorigin=""/><meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=674902075"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="57x57" href="/next-static/images/mck-touch-icon-57x57.png"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="/next-static/images/mck-touch-icon-72x72.png"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="/next-static/images/mck-touch-icon-114x114.png"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="144x144" href="/next-static/images/mck-touch-icon-144x144.png"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/next-static/images/mck-touch-icon-152x152.png"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="167x167" href="/next-static/images/mck-touch-icon-167x167.png"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/next-static/images/mck-touch-icon-180x180.png"/><meta content="no-referrer-when-downgrade" name="referrer"/><meta content="McKinsey & Company" property="og:site_name" name="site_name"/><meta content="How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic" property="og:title" name="title"/><meta content="Simple tweaks in communication and role-modeling based on the latest behavioral research can nudge employees into top form and create a more productive environment for everyone." property="og:description" name="description"/><meta content="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/how-small-shifts-in-leadership-can-transform-your-team-dynamic" name="url" property="og:url"/><meta content="index,follow,all" name="robots"/><meta content="https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/people%20and%20organizational%20performance/our%20insights/how%20small%20shifts%20in%20leadership%20can%20transform%20your%20team%20dynamic/q16_web_caroline%20webb_525328447_1536x1536_original.jpg" property="og:image" name="image"/><meta content="{017E4338-987D-444B-BBAF-80A6667BA015}" name="sid"/><link href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/how-small-shifts-in-leadership-can-transform-your-team-dynamic" rel="canonical"/><meta content="Organization" name="practice-name"/><meta content="N10" name="practice-code"/><meta content="summary_large_image" name="twitter:card"/><meta content="@mckinsey" name="twitter:site"/><title>How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic | McKinsey</title><meta content="Insights & Publications" name="sections"/><meta content="How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic" name="twitter:title"/><meta content="Simple tweaks in communication and role-modeling based on the latest behavioral research can nudge employees into top form and create a more productive environment for everyone." name="twitter:description"/><meta content="Article" property="contenttype" name="contenttype"/><meta content="https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/people%20and%20organizational%20performance/our%20insights/how%20small%20shifts%20in%20leadership%20can%20transform%20your%20team%20dynamic/q16_web_caroline%20webb_525328447_1536x1536_original.jpg?mw=677&car=42:25" name="twitter:image"/><meta content="How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic" name="twitter:image:alt"/><meta content="true" name="mobileready"/><meta content="public" name="accesslevel"/><meta content="false" name="excludefromclientlink"/><meta content="McKinsey Quarterly" name="articlesource"/><meta content="article" name="articletype"/><meta content="Caroline Webb" name="authors-name"/><meta content="2016-02-01T00:00:00Z" name="itemdate"/><meta content="Organization | Article | McKinsey Quarterly | February 1, 2016" name="searchresults-tags"/><script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","url":"https://www.mckinsey.com","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"McKinsey & Company","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/Thumbnails/Mck_Logo"}},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/how-small-shifts-in-leadership-can-transform-your-team-dynamic"},"datePublished":"2016-02-01T00:00:00Z","dateCreated":"2016-02-04T15:19:42Z","dateModified":"2016-02-01T00:00:00Z","heading":"How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic","image":"https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/people%20and%20organizational%20performance/our%20insights/how%20small%20shifts%20in%20leadership%20can%20transform%20your%20team%20dynamic/q16_web_caroline%20webb_525328447_1536x1536_original.jpg","description":"Simple tweaks in communication and role-modeling based on the latest behavioral research can nudge employees into top form and create a more productive environment for everyone.","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Caroline Webb"}]}</script><meta name="next-head-count" content="64"/><meta name="next-font-preconnect"/><script src="" id="onetrust-wrapperchecker" data-nscript="beforeInteractive">function OptanonWrapperChecker() {}</script><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/css/e0c1ca92b5263a45.css" as="style"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/css/e0c1ca92b5263a45.css" data-n-g=""/><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/css/985443d8095c0b48.css" as="style"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/css/985443d8095c0b48.css" data-n-p=""/><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/css/b9ab7b649e8aa36e.css" as="style"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/css/b9ab7b649e8aa36e.css"/><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/css/72fc56b1fbe032aa.css" as="style"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/css/72fc56b1fbe032aa.css"/><noscript data-n-css=""></noscript><script defer="" nomodule="" src="/_next/static/chunks/polyfills-5cd94c89d3acac5f.js"></script><script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" data-document-language="true" type="text/javascript" data-domain-script="915b5091-0d7e-44d2-a8c4-cf08267e52fe" defer="" data-nscript="beforeInteractive"></script><script defer="" src="/_next/static/chunks/281.cc3ac8578a543e8e.js"></script><script defer="" src="/_next/static/chunks/6731.9bccca8a7edb0704.js"></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/webpack.7b31c4548c626f3b.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/framework.62bbe2ca94854a85.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/main.51e10588adc949ca.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/pages/_app.5f99628c3d07543d.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/3b1baa31.cd6cdac6158774d8.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/7d0bf13e.8f3383787afb45af.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/1354.c34ddc4bd7c986c8.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/408.2780008a4c2ee197.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/pages/%5B%5B...path%5D%5D.eb738e7c87df0dc8.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/9vYT_fWQKRjfPT7lAZJdB/_buildManifest.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/9vYT_fWQKRjfPT7lAZJdB/_ssgManifest.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/9vYT_fWQKRjfPT7lAZJdB/_middlewareManifest.js" defer=""></script> <script>(window.BOOMR_mq=window.BOOMR_mq||[]).push(["addVar",{"rua.upush":"false","rua.cpush":"false","rua.upre":"false","rua.cpre":"false","rua.uprl":"false","rua.cprl":"false","rua.cprf":"false","rua.trans":"","rua.cook":"false","rua.ims":"false","rua.ufprl":"false","rua.cfprl":"false","rua.isuxp":"false","rua.texp":"norulematch","rua.ceh":"false","rua.ueh":"false","rua.ieh.st":"0"}]);</script> <script>!function(a){var e="https://s.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/",t="addEventListener";if("False"=="True")a.BOOMR_config=a.BOOMR_config||{},a.BOOMR_config.PageParams=a.BOOMR_config.PageParams||{},a.BOOMR_config.PageParams.pci=!0,e="https://s2.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/";if(window.BOOMR_API_key="TURRK-8ADJT-WDUC5-TC32E-KV9ND",function(){function n(e){a.BOOMR_onload=e&&e.timeStamp||(new Date).getTime()}if(!a.BOOMR||!a.BOOMR.version&&!a.BOOMR.snippetExecuted){a.BOOMR=a.BOOMR||{},a.BOOMR.snippetExecuted=!0;var i,_,o,r=document.createElement("iframe");if(a[t])a[t]("load",n,!1);else if(a.attachEvent)a.attachEvent("onload",n);r.src="javascript:void(0)",r.title="",r.role="presentation",(r.frameElement||r).style.cssText="width:0;height:0;border:0;display:none;",o=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0],o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o);try{_=r.contentWindow.document}catch(O){i=document.domain,r.src="javascript:var d=document.open();d.domain='"+i+"';void(0);",_=r.contentWindow.document}_.open()._l=function(){var a=this.createElement("script");if(i)this.domain=i;a.id="boomr-if-as",a.src=e+"TURRK-8ADJT-WDUC5-TC32E-KV9ND",BOOMR_lstart=(new Date).getTime(),this.body.appendChild(a)},_.write("<bo"+'dy onload="document._l();">'),_.close()}}(),"".length>0)if(a&&"performance"in a&&a.performance&&"function"==typeof a.performance.setResourceTimingBufferSize)a.performance.setResourceTimingBufferSize();!function(){if(BOOMR=a.BOOMR||{},BOOMR.plugins=BOOMR.plugins||{},!BOOMR.plugins.AK){var e=""=="true"?1:0,t="",n="bdpnbeqxgy4diz2hma4q-f-5f94460d1-clientnsv4-s.akamaihd.net",i="false"=="true"?2:1,_={"ak.v":"39","ak.cp":"19387","ak.ai":parseInt("285213",10),"ak.ol":"0","ak.cr":4,"ak.ipv":4,"ak.proto":"http/1.1","ak.rid":"4693e925","ak.r":37669,"ak.a2":e,"ak.m":"a","ak.n":"essl","ak.bpcip":"8.222.208.0","ak.cport":39858,"ak.gh":"23.53.33.206","ak.quicv":"","ak.tlsv":"tls1.2","ak.0rtt":"","ak.0rtt.ed":"","ak.csrc":"-","ak.acc":"reno","ak.t":"1732730937","ak.ak":"hOBiQwZUYzCg5VSAfCLimQ==EsD9ioqTTCTd57cNVGP9Dg3LH3PZ2RGezklc63zKBV4uocyG0qVCRnsGn82rLUH+wtkhd0MysfHgi0i8ZnLuI6ig3efFNAW/uBE5haxhRLHduSVawP7ic9AHb8GdOVEx2Mc0NIx6+Wwz4xXhqHw5CYIbsqs0/ryPOyETLsIyRP+YfCGfzl36mCpsj49OLLJglHxNGeCyS7lilzQwVjj4U3nPrVij5cTPQBNFtATSf5aNyfsvf/MoSK6w+P3r7+Pu8UNQlYLtCG+RYGLMl2gNdNrP9b7RjCe/fcdCr/+MX1bXZ2A2oriNOYmBAPhmMLPEGNy3NlboFdkN6BjxZ1YgcIYsTQv2D592o82sqFDSJev2J/tf3Th+37hpfKbUxXpI/nO7h1bhlZRuv2qXUFkKqqOEJ0uAZ0bnvKHp5qZkxGg=","ak.pv":"582","ak.dpoabenc":"","ak.tf":i};if(""!==t)_["ak.ruds"]=t;var o={i:!1,av:function(e){var t="http.initiator";if(e&&(!e[t]||"spa_hard"===e[t]))_["ak.feo"]=void 0!==a.aFeoApplied?1:0,BOOMR.addVar(_)},rv:function(){var a=["ak.bpcip","ak.cport","ak.cr","ak.csrc","ak.gh","ak.ipv","ak.m","ak.n","ak.ol","ak.proto","ak.quicv","ak.tlsv","ak.0rtt","ak.0rtt.ed","ak.r","ak.acc","ak.t","ak.tf"];BOOMR.removeVar(a)}};BOOMR.plugins.AK={akVars:_,akDNSPreFetchDomain:n,init:function(){if(!o.i){var a=BOOMR.subscribe;a("before_beacon",o.av,null,null),a("onbeacon",o.rv,null,null),o.i=!0}return this},is_complete:function(){return!0}}}}()}(window);</script></head><body><div id="__next" data-reactroot=""><div class="Layout_mck-c-skipbar__K684J"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="#skipToMain" class="mdc-c-button___U4iY2_2734c4f mdc-c-button--primary___Ed-lT_2734c4f mdc-c-button--size-medium"><span class="mdc-c-link__label___Pfqtd_2734c4f">Skip to main content</span></a></div><main class="mck-o-container--outer" data-layer-region="body" role="main" id="skipToMain"><div data-component="mdc-c-module-wrapper" data-module-theme="dark" data-module-background="deep-blue" data-module-category="AnchoredHero" class="ArticleDefault_mck-c-article-default__SfYQE"><style></style><div data-component="mdc-c-background-image" class="mdc-c-bg-image___GJdv1_2734c4f background-image-article-default ArticleDefault_mck-c-article-default__parallax-container__fZ7Iq"></div><div class="ArticleDefault_mck-c-article-default__gradient__Uu21n"></div><div class="ArticleDefault_mck-c-article-default__wrapper-content__XOe9C"><div class="mck-o-container"><div class="mck-o-container--wrapped mck-o-container--mobile-spacing mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-col-lg-12"><div data-component="mdc-c-content-block" class="mdc-c-content-block___7p6Lu_2734c4f mdc-u-grid-col-lg-start-1 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-span-10"><div><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="/quarterly/overview" class="mdc-u-ts-10 mck-u-animation-blur-in-800 ArticleDefault_mck-c-article-default__eyebrow__wl_Rt mdc-c-link___lBbY1_2734c4f mdc-c-link--secondary___TSFam_2734c4f"><span class="mdc-c-link__label___Pfqtd_2734c4f">McKinsey Quarterly</span></a><h1 data-component="mdc-c-heading" class="mdc-c-heading___0fM1W_2734c4f mdc-u-ts-2 mck-u-animation-slide-down ArticleDefault_mck-c-article-default__heading__bv6rL"><div>How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic</div></h1></div><div data-component="mdc-c-description" class="mdc-c-description___SrnQP_2734c4f mdc-u-ts-10 mck-u-animation-blur-in-800 ArticleDefault_mck-c-article-default__description__sjoe9"><div><time datetime="2016-02-01T00:00:00Z">February 1, 2016</time> | Article</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="mck-o-container"><div class="mck-o-container--wrapped mck-o-container--mobile-spacing mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-gutter-xxl"><section data-layer-region="article-body-header" class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-col-md-12 mck-u-animation-blur-in-400 byline-share-container"><div class="mdc-u-grid-col-md-start-2 mdc-u-grid-col-md-end-8 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-start-3 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-end-8 mdc-u-ts-9"><span> </span><span class="AuthorsByLine_mck-c-authors-byline__author__XdrlD"><span class="AuthorsByLine_mck-c-authors-byline__no-wrap__Ced0j">Caroline Webb</span></span></div><div class="mdc-u-grid-col-md-start-8 mdc-u-grid-col-md-end-12 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-start-8 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-end-11 ArticleContent_mck-c-article-content__share-tools__kWRRw"></div></section><section class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-col-md-12 mck-u-animation-blur-in-400"><div class="mdc-u-grid-col-md-start-2 mdc-u-grid-col-md-end-12 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-start-3 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-end-11"><div data-component="mdc-c-description" class="mdc-c-description___SrnQP_2734c4f mdc-u-ts-5"><div class="mck-u-links-inline">Simple tweaks in communication and role-modeling based on the latest behavioral research can nudge employees into top form and create a more productive environment for everyone.</div></div></div></section><main data-layer-region="article-body" class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-gutter-xxl"><div class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-col-1 mdc-u-grid-col-md-12"><div class="mdc-u-grid-col-md-start-2 mdc-u-grid-col-md-end-12 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-start-3 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-end-11"><div class="mdc-o-content-body mck-u-dropcap"><div data-component="mdc-c-module-wrapper" data-module-theme="default" data-module-background="transparent" data-module-category="" class="DownloadsSidebar_mck-c-downloads-sidebar__iFmyt mck-o-xs-right-span"><div data-layer-region="downloads-right-rail"><h3 data-component="mdc-c-heading" class="mdc-c-heading___0fM1W_2734c4f mdc-c-heading--title___5qyOB_2734c4f mdc-c-heading--border___K8dj3_2734c4f"></h3><div><div data-component="mdc-c-link-container" class="mdc-c-link-container___xefGu_2734c4f"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="#/download/%2F~%2Fmedia%2Fmckinsey%2Fbusiness%20functions%2Fpeople%20and%20organizational%20performance%2Four%20insights%2Fhow%20small%20shifts%20in%20leadership%20can%20transform%20your%20team%20dynamic%2Fhow%20small%20shifts%20in%20leadership%20can%20transform%20your%20team%20dynamic.pdf%3FshouldIndex%3Dfalse" class="DownloadsSidebar_mck-c-downloads-sidebar__download-link__fPqFQ mdc-c-link___lBbY1_2734c4f" target="_self" data-layer-event-prefix="Download Link" data-layer-action="click" data-layer-report-type="" data-layer-file-name="how-small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic" data-layer-report-name="how-small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic>"><span data-component="mdc-c-icon" class="mdc-c-icon___oi7ef_2734c4f mdc-c-icon--size-md___yi5fA_2734c4f mck-download-icon"></span><span class="mdc-c-link__label___Pfqtd_2734c4f"> (PDF-72 KB)</span></a></div></div></div></div> <p><strong>Once upon a time,</strong> saying “the soft stuff is the hard stuff” was a snappy challenge to business convention. Now, it’s a cliché. Everyone knows that it’s not easy to suddenly make your colleagues more creative, adaptable, or collaborative, however well-intentioned you may be.</p> <p>But thanks to research on human behavior, we know what it takes for the average person’s brain to perform at its best, cognitively and emotionally—even under the pressures of the modern workplace. These new insights suggest that simple tweaks in leaders’ communication and behavior can potentially create a much more productive atmosphere for any team. In this article, I’ll describe three leaders who knew enough of this science to spark positive behavioral shifts in their organizations.</p> <h2>The two-system brain</h2> <p>Antony heads a successful technology consultancy that has grown rapidly since it was founded in 2011. Before starting the firm, he worked for a big agency with a toxic culture. “There was a sort of ‘cultural presenteeism’—you needed to look like you were always working.” At his new company, he wanted to forge a very different culture that would enable people to be both innovative and focused, collaborative and emotionally balanced. He and his two cofounders did all the usual things—hired carefully, developed an inspiring vision for the company, and designed an inviting workspace.</p>  <p>But Antony knew enough of the research on optimal brain function to see that more tangible measures were needed. In particular, he raised the issue of information overload and multitasking and how their team could avoid it. Antony knew that the brain’s activity is split across two complementary systems—one deliberate and controlled, the other automatic and instinctive. The <em>deliberate system</em> is responsible for sophisticated, conscious functions such as reasoning, self-control, and forward thinking. It can only do one thing at a time and tires remarkably quickly. The brain’s <em>automatic</em> system lightens this load by automating most of what we do from day to day, but as the brain’s deliberate system becomes more exhausted, the automatic system increasingly takes the reins, leaving us prone to make misleading generalizations and kneejerk responses.</p> <p>That’s why multitasking is such a problem. We think we can parallel process, but each tiny switch from one conscious task to another—from email to reading to speaking on a conference call, for example—wastes a little of the deliberate system’s time and mental energy. And those switches cost us dearly. Research shows that people are less creative, more stressed, and make two to four times as many mistakes when they deal with interruptions and distractions.</p> <p>Another way that the deliberate system’s limitations play out in the workplace is that decision-making quality drops the longer people go without a break. Classic cognitive biases like groupthink and confirmation bias take firmer hold, and we’re more prone to sloppy thinking in general. In one study, where hospital leaders were trying to encourage the use of hand sanitizer, they found that compliance rates fell when people worked long hours without a break.</p> <p>But here’s the silver lining: if leaders can encourage people to go offline when doing their most important work, as well as taking more frequent breaks, they’ll see an uptick in productivity, innovation, and morale.</p> <p>As Antony thought about how to do this, he knew that a common hurdle to taking breaks and avoiding multitasking was that people often feel they need to show their responsiveness to senior colleagues by being constantly available, whether on email, instant messaging, or in person. So he knew that his own behavior would be central to shifting norms in his organization. He decided to place a timer on his desk to signal that he was taking 25 or 45 minutes to go offline—something that also helped him focus his brain on the task at hand—and wore enormous noise-canceling headphones to amplify the message. And then, between deep working sessions, he would “bugger off for a walk,” as he puts it. The role modeling worked, he says. “It’s become a collective thing in the office now. And everyone’s decided that breaks are a legitimate use of time because we get so much more done afterward.”</p> <a id="science"></a>  <p>Antony and his cofounders also created a “Monday meeting” for all of the staff to discuss how they were working together as a company. After some time, it surfaced that pressures were mounting, threatening to derail their commitment to focusing and recharging. “It was an emerging cultural behavior, and we wanted it to stop. So we set some rules, like ‘we encourage each other to have lunch’ and ‘we schedule breaks between meetings.’” Most important, he felt, was that “we as leaders had to take responsibility for our behavior and give out the right signals, use the right language, celebrate the right behaviors in others. So we cheered people for leaving the office to go for a run. Later, we adopted the phrase ‘leaving by example,’ encouraging people to use it instead of a mumbled, guilty excuse for taking a break.”</p> <p>In the Monday meeting, the leaders took one further step to reduce cognitive overload, by asking everyone to name their two priorities for the week. Antony says “the ‘two priorities’ rule encourages people to be realistic and focused in their work. Sometimes you really have to force yourself to decide what really matters this week. But it always pays off.” They also use the meeting as an opportunity to highlight opportunities to redistribute work. “When it looks like someone has too much on, people are encouraged to offload rather than suffer in silence.” The result: great creativity and camaraderie, without a foosball table in sight.</p> <h2>The discover-defend axis</h2> <p>Ros is one of the most senior leaders in the UK’s state-run healthcare system. She oversees the complex web of relationships between the system’s many payers and providers and ensures that the interactions between the two help rather than hinder improvements in patient care. Budgets are tight and the outcomes of her team’s work are often subject to scrutiny by politicians and the media. So Ros has to help her colleagues stay energized and on their game as they pursue their noble goals, even when the going gets tough. Resilience is key.</p>  <p>The problem is, our brain is constantly looking for threats to fend off or rewards worth pursuing. When we’re more focused on threats than rewards, we’re in <em>defensive mode</em>. Our brain diverts some of its scarce mental energy into launching a ‘fight’, ‘flight,’ or ‘freeze’ response, and as those instinctive responses unfold—looking more like ‘snap, sulk, or skulk’ in the workplace—brain scans show less activity in the parts of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex. To put it another way: some of our more emotionally sophisticated neural machinery has gone offline.</p> <p>This matters, because it takes surprisingly little to put someone’s brain into defensive mode—anything threatening a person’s self-worth, even the smallest social slight. This can create vicious circles in the workplace when, for example, people feel daunted from the start, triggering an instinctive defensive reaction that makes it harder for them to solve the problem at hand.</p> <p>But then there’s <em>discovery mode</em>, where people’s brains are focused on the potential rewards in a situation—for instance, a feeling of belonging or social recognition, or the thrill of learning new things. If leaders can foster a rewarding environment even amid the most difficult situations, it’s likely that they can dampen that primal feeling of being under threat just enough to nudge people out of defensive mode and back into top form.</p> <p>Ros has put this insight at the heart of her leadership style. First, she creates a positive frame for difficult tasks or discussions. “We’ve got a huge project where 95 percent of it is going fine, but three things aren’t going so well,” she says. “We’re getting a lot of questions about those three things, and I can see my team tensing up whenever we talk about them. So now I always begin our meetings by talking about what we’ve done well. And you can see how it calms everyone down and helps people think more clearly.” She’s keen to emphasize that “it’s not about trying to spin or gloss over the problems. But beginning with what’s working well puts everyone in a more open frame of mind, meaning we can look at what’s not working without people getting defensive.”</p>  <p>By focusing on something positive before getting into the tough stuff, leaders can help people stay in high-performance discovery mode. It doesn’t take much. Research found that when volunteers were given a puzzle where they had to navigate a little mouse out of a maze, all it took to lift their performance by 50 percent was seeing a picture of some cheese next to the exit instead of a menacing owl. In a meeting, the metaphorical “cheese” can even be as simple as discussing the ideal outcome everyone’s shooting for, before talking about the steps to get there.</p> <p>Ros also reinforces her team’s feelings of autonomy and competence—two things that feel highly rewarding for the average brain. Usually, when a colleague has an issue, leaders help by offering advice or direction. But that can backfire, because a well-intentioned “have you tried this/that . . .” can be subconsciously interpreted as a judgment, as in: “why haven’t you tried this/that?” And this mild cognitive threat can be enough to constrain the deliberate system and make people less creative in their own thinking. The alternative: create space for people to do their own best quality thinking. Ros uses the “extreme listening” technique. She asks someone what they want to think through, and lets them talk without interrupting or making suggestions. Sounds simple, but Ros says it’s rare enough to feel a little strange initially.</p> <p>She describes the first time she used it with her deputy, Alex. “He had an issue he wanted to talk about” and “I actually explicitly told him the ‘rule’ I was following. I nodded, encouraged him, and asked ‘what else?,’ when he flagged. Within five minutes, he’d literally solved the whole thing himself. We both laughed so hard. It absolutely worked.” Alex went on to use the technique with his colleagues, too, and now it’s a team habit. Ros is clear on the lesson for leaders: helping colleagues feel capable of handling matters on their own “is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone,” providing a great boost to their resilience and confidence.</p>  <h2>The social self</h2> <p>Charles heads the marketing function of a major retail chain. He’s overseeing a lot of change in the way his team works, as they take advantage of new technology. “Marketing is evolving fast,” he says. “Traditional marketing requires creativity.” He adds, “Modern marketing still requires that, but we now get to benefit from new analytical tools that allow us to track return on investment of our marketing campaigns. And that data crunching requires quite a different type of skillset—much more quantitative.” That means he’s had to hire new types of people in the marketing department, alongside existing staff.</p> <p>It sounds like nothing but upside for the marketing team. As Charles says, “it’s fantastic to be able to combine the best of both skillsets.” So what’s the challenge? “Whenever you have a very new group of people joining an existing team, you’ve got to pay real attention to motivation,” Charles warns. The reason for this lies deep in our highly social brains. Of all threats, social slights are especially high on the list of things against which our brains seek to defend us. This social sensitivity probably helped keep us safe when tribal belonging determined whether we’d survive the dangers of the prehistoric savannah—but in the workplace, it means leaders have to meet three main types of deep social needs if they want their colleagues to thrive:</p> <ul> <li><em>Inclusion:</em> “Do I belong?” In Charles’s case, existing staff may be worried that they’re going to be excluded from the exciting new work. The newbies, meanwhile, will be wondering whether they truly fit in.</li> <li><em>Respect:</em> “Do people recognize the value I bring?” Everyone on the team wants to feel that their efforts are useful and appreciated.</li> <li><em>Fairness:</em> “Am I being treated just like everyone else—or do I at least understand the reason that things are the way they are?”</li> </ul> <p>If the answer to any of those questions is “no,” people’s brains can quickly go into defensive mode—which, as we learned earlier, is a sure recipe for dysfunctional behavior. Indeed, Charles said “people were clearly feeling anxious and nervous. As a result, they started complaining about things they’ve never complained about before—making snide comments or questioning things that they saw as scope creep or turf invasion. People here are generally polite and friendly, and passionate about their work. So they weren’t hostile. Just unsettled.”</p> <p>To boost feelings of inclusion, Charles deliberately created opportunities for both groups of staff to get to know each other and later collaborate in cross-functional teams to work on new product innovation. In addition to emphasizing these shared wins from teamwork, Charles also takes the time to make everyone feel respected for their individual contribution. “You have to make sure to give people ‘spotlight moments.’ I look for opportunities to get them in front of the management team. I hate it when someone works on a presentation and then their boss delivers it. If people have done the work, they present it.”</p> <p>Finally, he’s transparent about the rationale behind his decisions. As he explains, “it’s a great investment in minimizing suspicion and defensiveness later on.” In doing so, he personally takes time to balance his time between the creatives and the technical folks, and if someone’s giving up some responsibilities to one of the new hires, he says, “I make sure to explain why that’s happening and emphasize the opportunities they will have to do new stuff in other areas—often areas that they’re better at and enjoy more.”</p> <p>As a result, Charles says, “both sides are learning and growing by being exposed to each other.” It’s not something he sees as a one-off effort, either. “The company never stops changing. The people who are currently ‘new’ will become the ‘old guard’ and then there will be a new generation of skills needed.” After all, he says, “this sort of attention to the social dimension is important in any industry where systemic change is happening.”</p> <hr/> <p>The evidence is pretty clear. Colleagues will behave more like their best selves, more of the time, if leaders take a few modest steps to foster an environment where people’s brain’s aren’t overloaded—more focused on rewards than threats—and have their fundamental social needs met. With a little behavioral science in their toolkit, leaders can build a more productive team—and a happier one at that.</p></div><div class="container-placeholder"></div></div></div><div class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-gutter-xl"><section role="contentinfo" data-layer-region="article-about-authors" class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-col-md-12 AboutAuthor_mck-c-about-author__nRJzu"><div class="mdc-u-grid-col-md-start-2 mdc-u-grid-col-md-end-12 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-start-3 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-end-11"><h5 data-component="mdc-c-heading" class="mdc-c-heading___0fM1W_2734c4f mdc-c-heading--title___5qyOB_2734c4f mdc-c-heading--border___K8dj3_2734c4f mdc-u-align-center"></h5><div data-component="mdc-c-description" class="mdc-c-description___SrnQP_2734c4f mdc-u-ts-8 mck-u-links-inline mck-u-links-inline--secondary mdc-u-mt-5"><div><p><strong>Caroline Webb</strong> is a senior adviser to McKinsey and an alumnus of the firm’s London office. This article is based on research in her new book, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/246587/how-to-have-a-good-day-by-caroline-webb/"><em>How to Have a Good Day: Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life</em></a> (Crown Business, February 2016).</p></div></div></div></section><section class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-col-md-12 mck-u-screen-only"><div class="mdc-u-grid-col-md-start-2 mdc-u-grid-col-md-end-12 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-start-5 mdc-u-grid-col-lg-end-9"><h5 data-component="mdc-c-heading" class="mdc-c-heading___0fM1W_2734c4f mdc-c-heading--title___5qyOB_2734c4f mdc-c-heading--border___K8dj3_2734c4f mdc-u-align-center">Explore a career with us</h5><div data-component="mdc-c-link-container" class="mdc-c-link-container___xefGu_2734c4f mdc-c-link-container--align-center___ar3mu_2734c4f"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="/careers/search-jobs" class="mdc-c-button___U4iY2_2734c4f mdc-c-button--secondary___Boipq_2734c4f mdc-c-button--size-large___jwpUy_2734c4f" aria-label="Search Openings" data-layer-event-prefix="CTA Link" data-layer-action="click" data-layer-category="careers" data-layer-subcategory="search" data-layer-text="Search Openings"><span class="mdc-c-link__label___Pfqtd_2734c4f">Search Openings</span></a></div></div></section></div></main></div><div data-component="mdc-c-module-wrapper" data-module-theme="light" data-module-background="lightest-grey" data-module-category="StandalonePromo" class="RelatedArticle_mck-c-article-related__GGA76 mck-u-screen-only" data-layer-region="related-articles"><div class="mdc-o-container__wrapper is-wrapped mdc-u-spaced-mobile"><h5 data-component="mdc-c-heading" class="mdc-c-heading___0fM1W_2734c4f mdc-c-heading--title___5qyOB_2734c4f mdc-u-align-center">Related Articles</h5><div class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-col-md-3 RelatedArticle_items-container__s2uD0"><div class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-gutter-lg Card_card__diA2r Card_hover-effect__RGb9b"><div class="Card_wrapper-image__8b4P6"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="/featured-insights/leadership/want-to-be-a-better-leader-observe-more-and-react-less" class="mdc-c-link___lBbY1_2734c4f"><picture data-component="mdc-c-picture" class="Card_wrapper-image__8b4P6"><style>.picture-uniqueKey-want-0 { aspect-ratio: 16/9 }</style><img alt="q16_web_meditation_160476455_1536x1536_Original" class="picture-uniqueKey-want-0" src="/~/media/mckinsey/featured%20insights/leadership/want%20to%20be%20a%20better%20leader%20observe%20more%20and%20react%20less/q16_web_meditation_160476455_1536x1536_original.jpg?cq=50&mw=767&car=16:9&cpy=Center" loading="lazy"/></picture></a></div><div class="Card_wrapper-text__U6Y3k"><div data-component="mdc-c-content-block" class="mdc-c-content-block___7p6Lu_2734c4f Card_content-block__pF6Z1"><span>Article - <i>McKinsey Quarterly</i></span><h6 data-component="mdc-c-heading" class="mdc-c-heading___0fM1W_2734c4f mdc-u-ts-6"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="/featured-insights/leadership/want-to-be-a-better-leader-observe-more-and-react-less" class="mdc-c-link-heading___Zggl8_2734c4f mdc-c-link___lBbY1_2734c4f"><div>Want to be a better leader? Observe more and react less</div></a></h6></div></div></div><div class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-gutter-lg Card_card__diA2r Card_hover-effect__RGb9b"><div class="Card_wrapper-image__8b4P6"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/leadership-in-context" class="mdc-c-link___lBbY1_2734c4f"><picture data-component="mdc-c-picture" class="Card_wrapper-image__8b4P6"><style>.picture-uniqueKey-leade-0 { aspect-ratio: 16/9 }</style><img alt="q16_web_situational-leadership_577237157_1536x1536_Original" class="picture-uniqueKey-leade-0" src="/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/people%20and%20organizational%20performance/our%20insights/leadership%20in%20context/q16_web_situational%20leadership_577237157_1536x1536_original.jpg?cq=50&mw=767&car=16:9&cpy=Center" loading="lazy"/></picture></a></div><div class="Card_wrapper-text__U6Y3k"><div data-component="mdc-c-content-block" class="mdc-c-content-block___7p6Lu_2734c4f Card_content-block__pF6Z1"><span>Article - <i>McKinsey Quarterly</i></span><h6 data-component="mdc-c-heading" class="mdc-c-heading___0fM1W_2734c4f mdc-u-ts-6"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/leadership-in-context" class="mdc-c-link-heading___Zggl8_2734c4f mdc-c-link___lBbY1_2734c4f"><div>Leadership in context</div></a></h6></div></div></div><div class="mdc-u-grid mdc-u-grid-gutter-lg Card_card__diA2r Card_hover-effect__RGb9b"><div class="Card_wrapper-image__8b4P6"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/recovering-from-information-overload" class="mdc-c-link___lBbY1_2734c4f"><picture data-component="mdc-c-picture" class="Card_wrapper-image__8b4P6"><style>.picture-uniqueKey-recov-0 { aspect-ratio: 16/9 }</style><img alt="rein11_frth" class="picture-uniqueKey-recov-0" src="/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/people%20and%20organizational%20performance/our%20insights/recovering%20from%20information%20overload/rein11_frth.jpg?cq=50&mw=767&car=16:9&cpy=Center" loading="lazy"/></picture></a></div><div class="Card_wrapper-text__U6Y3k"><div data-component="mdc-c-content-block" class="mdc-c-content-block___7p6Lu_2734c4f Card_content-block__pF6Z1"><span>Article - <i>McKinsey Quarterly</i></span><h6 data-component="mdc-c-heading" class="mdc-c-heading___0fM1W_2734c4f mdc-u-ts-6"><a data-component="mdc-c-link" href="/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/recovering-from-information-overload" class="mdc-c-link-heading___Zggl8_2734c4f mdc-c-link___lBbY1_2734c4f"><div>Recovering from information overload</div></a></h6></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></main></div><script id="__NEXT_DATA__" type="application/json">{"props":{"pageProps":{"locale":"en","dictionary":{},"sitecoreContext":{"route":{"name":"How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic","displayName":"How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic","fields":null,"databaseName":"web","deviceId":"fe5d7fdf-89c0-4d99-9aa3-b5fbd009c9f3","itemId":"017e4338-987d-444b-bbaf-80a6667ba015","itemLanguage":"en","itemVersion":1,"layoutId":"ae753eb4-a035-40b4-83bf-4b4438df6742","templateId":"683910db-02ba-40ba-92e7-726c880160a9","templateName":"ArticleJSS","placeholders":{"jss-main":[{"uid":"232bb7e9-289f-492d-a916-2b6185e44a84","componentName":"ArticleTemplate","dataSource":"","fields":{"data":{"articleTemplate":{"title":{"jsonValue":{"value":"How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic"}},"sEOTitle":{"value":""},"description":{"jsonValue":{"value":"Simple tweaks in communication and role-modeling based on the latest behavioral research can nudge employees into top form and create a more productive environment for everyone."}},"sEODescription":{"value":""},"displayDate":{"jsonValue":{"value":"2016-02-01T00:00:00Z"}},"body":{"value":"[[DownloadsSidebar]] \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOnce upon a time,\u003c/strong\u003e saying \u0026ldquo;the soft stuff is the hard stuff\u0026rdquo; was a snappy challenge to business convention. Now, it\u0026rsquo;s a clich\u0026eacute;. Everyone knows that it\u0026rsquo;s not easy to suddenly make your colleagues more creative, adaptable, or collaborative, however well-intentioned you may be.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut thanks to research on human behavior, we know what it takes for the average person\u0026rsquo;s brain to perform at its best, cognitively and emotionally\u0026mdash;even under the pressures of the modern workplace. These new insights suggest that simple tweaks in leaders\u0026rsquo; communication and behavior can potentially create a much more productive atmosphere for any team. In this article, I\u0026rsquo;ll describe three leaders who knew enough of this science to spark positive behavioral shifts in their organizations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe two-system brain\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAntony heads a successful technology consultancy that has grown rapidly since it was founded in 2011. Before starting the firm, he worked for a big agency with a toxic culture. \u0026ldquo;There was a sort of \u0026lsquo;cultural presenteeism\u0026rsquo;\u0026mdash;you needed to look like you were always working.\u0026rdquo; At his new company, he wanted to forge a very different culture that would enable people to be both innovative and focused, collaborative and emotionally balanced. He and his two cofounders did all the usual things\u0026mdash;hired carefully, developed an inspiring vision for the company, and designed an inviting workspace.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n[[video 1]]\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut Antony knew enough of the research on optimal brain function to see that more tangible measures were needed. In particular, he raised the issue of information overload and multitasking and how their team could avoid it. Antony knew that the brain\u0026rsquo;s activity is split across two complementary systems\u0026mdash;one deliberate and controlled, the other automatic and instinctive. The \u003cem\u003edeliberate system\u003c/em\u003e is responsible for sophisticated, conscious functions such as reasoning, self-control, and forward thinking. It can only do one thing at a time and tires remarkably quickly. The brain\u0026rsquo;s \u003cem\u003eautomatic\u003c/em\u003e system lightens this load by automating most of what we do from day to day, but as the brain\u0026rsquo;s deliberate system becomes more exhausted, the automatic system increasingly takes the reins, leaving us prone to make misleading generalizations and kneejerk responses.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat\u0026rsquo;s why multitasking is such a problem. We think we can parallel process, but each tiny switch from one conscious task to another\u0026mdash;from email to reading to speaking on a conference call, for example\u0026mdash;wastes a little of the deliberate system\u0026rsquo;s time and mental energy. And those switches cost us dearly. Research shows that people are less creative, more stressed, and make two to four times as many mistakes when they deal with interruptions and distractions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother way that the deliberate system\u0026rsquo;s limitations play out in the workplace is that decision-making quality drops the longer people go without a break. Classic cognitive biases like groupthink and confirmation bias take firmer hold, and we\u0026rsquo;re more prone to sloppy thinking in general. In one study, where hospital leaders were trying to encourage the use of hand sanitizer, they found that compliance rates fell when people worked long hours without a break.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut here\u0026rsquo;s the silver lining: if leaders can encourage people to go offline when doing their most important work, as well as taking more frequent breaks, they\u0026rsquo;ll see an uptick in productivity, innovation, and morale.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Antony thought about how to do this, he knew that a common hurdle to taking breaks and avoiding multitasking was that people often feel they need to show their responsiveness to senior colleagues by being constantly available, whether on email, instant messaging, or in person. So he knew that his own behavior would be central to shifting norms in his organization. He decided to place a timer on his desk to signal that he was taking 25 or 45 minutes to go offline\u0026mdash;something that also helped him focus his brain on the task at hand\u0026mdash;and wore enormous noise-canceling headphones to amplify the message. And then, between deep working sessions, he would \u0026ldquo;bugger off for a walk,\u0026rdquo; as he puts it. The role modeling worked, he says. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s become a collective thing in the office now. And everyone\u0026rsquo;s decided that breaks are a legitimate use of time because we get so much more done afterward.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ca id=\"science\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\n[[video 2]]\n\u003cp\u003eAntony and his cofounders also created a \u0026ldquo;Monday meeting\u0026rdquo; for all of the staff to discuss how they were working together as a company. After some time, it surfaced that pressures were mounting, threatening to derail their commitment to focusing and recharging. \u0026ldquo;It was an emerging cultural behavior, and we wanted it to stop. So we set some rules, like \u0026lsquo;we encourage each other to have lunch\u0026rsquo; and \u0026lsquo;we schedule breaks between meetings.\u0026rsquo;\u0026rdquo; Most important, he felt, was that \u0026ldquo;we as leaders had to take responsibility for our behavior and give out the right signals, use the right language, celebrate the right behaviors in others. So we cheered people for leaving the office to go for a run. Later, we adopted the phrase \u0026lsquo;leaving by example,\u0026rsquo; encouraging people to use it instead of a mumbled, guilty excuse for taking a break.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the Monday meeting, the leaders took one further step to reduce cognitive overload, by asking everyone to name their two priorities for the week. Antony says \u0026ldquo;the \u0026lsquo;two priorities\u0026rsquo; rule encourages people to be realistic and focused in their work. Sometimes you really have to force yourself to decide what really matters this week. But it always pays off.\u0026rdquo; They also use the meeting as an opportunity to highlight opportunities to redistribute work. \u0026ldquo;When it looks like someone has too much on, people are encouraged to offload rather than suffer in silence.\u0026rdquo; The result: great creativity and camaraderie, without a foosball table in sight.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe discover-defend axis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRos is one of the most senior leaders in the UK\u0026rsquo;s state-run healthcare system. She oversees the complex web of relationships between the system\u0026rsquo;s many payers and providers and ensures that the interactions between the two help rather than hinder improvements in patient care. Budgets are tight and the outcomes of her team\u0026rsquo;s work are often subject to scrutiny by politicians and the media. So Ros has to help her colleagues stay energized and on their game as they pursue their noble goals, even when the going gets tough. Resilience is key.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n[[video 3]]\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe problem is, our brain is constantly looking for threats to fend off or rewards worth pursuing. When we\u0026rsquo;re more focused on threats than rewards, we\u0026rsquo;re in \u003cem\u003edefensive mode\u003c/em\u003e. Our brain diverts some of its scarce mental energy into launching a \u0026lsquo;fight\u0026rsquo;, \u0026lsquo;flight,\u0026rsquo; or \u0026lsquo;freeze\u0026rsquo; response, and as those instinctive responses unfold\u0026mdash;looking more like \u0026lsquo;snap, sulk, or skulk\u0026rsquo; in the workplace\u0026mdash;brain scans show less activity in the parts of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex. To put it another way: some of our more emotionally sophisticated neural machinery has gone offline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis matters, because it takes surprisingly little to put someone\u0026rsquo;s brain into defensive mode\u0026mdash;anything threatening a person\u0026rsquo;s self-worth, even the smallest social slight. This can create vicious circles in the workplace when, for example, people feel daunted from the start, triggering an instinctive defensive reaction that makes it harder for them to solve the problem at hand.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut then there\u0026rsquo;s \u003cem\u003ediscovery mode\u003c/em\u003e, where people\u0026rsquo;s brains are focused on the potential rewards in a situation\u0026mdash;for instance, a feeling of belonging or social recognition, or the thrill of learning new things. If leaders can foster a rewarding environment even amid the most difficult situations, it\u0026rsquo;s likely that they can dampen that primal feeling of being under threat just enough to nudge people out of defensive mode and back into top form.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRos has put this insight at the heart of her leadership style. First, she creates a positive frame for difficult tasks or discussions. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;ve got a huge project where 95 percent of it is going fine, but three things aren\u0026rsquo;t going so well,\u0026rdquo; she says. \u0026ldquo;We\u0026rsquo;re getting a lot of questions about those three things, and I can see my team tensing up whenever we talk about them. So now I always begin our meetings by talking about what we\u0026rsquo;ve done well. And you can see how it calms everyone down and helps people think more clearly.\u0026rdquo; She\u0026rsquo;s keen to emphasize that \u0026ldquo;it\u0026rsquo;s not about trying to spin or gloss over the problems. But beginning with what\u0026rsquo;s working well puts everyone in a more open frame of mind, meaning we can look at what\u0026rsquo;s not working without people getting defensive.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\n[[video 4]]\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy focusing on something positive before getting into the tough stuff, leaders can help people stay in high-performance discovery mode. It doesn\u0026rsquo;t take much. Research found that when volunteers were given a puzzle where they had to navigate a little mouse out of a maze, all it took to lift their performance by 50 percent was seeing a picture of some cheese next to the exit instead of a menacing owl. In a meeting, the metaphorical \u0026ldquo;cheese\u0026rdquo; can even be as simple as discussing the ideal outcome everyone\u0026rsquo;s shooting for, before talking about the steps to get there.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRos also reinforces her team\u0026rsquo;s feelings of autonomy and competence\u0026mdash;two things that feel highly rewarding for the average brain. Usually, when a colleague has an issue, leaders help by offering advice or direction. But that can backfire, because a well-intentioned \u0026ldquo;have you tried this/that . . .\u0026rdquo; can be subconsciously interpreted as a judgment, as in: \u0026ldquo;why haven\u0026rsquo;t you tried this/that?\u0026rdquo; And this mild cognitive threat can be enough to constrain the deliberate system and make people less creative in their own thinking. The alternative: create space for people to do their own best quality thinking. Ros uses the \u0026ldquo;extreme listening\u0026rdquo; technique. She asks someone what they want to think through, and lets them talk without interrupting or making suggestions. Sounds simple, but Ros says it\u0026rsquo;s rare enough to feel a little strange initially.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShe describes the first time she used it with her deputy, Alex. \u0026ldquo;He had an issue he wanted to talk about\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;I actually explicitly told him the \u0026lsquo;rule\u0026rsquo; I was following. I nodded, encouraged him, and asked \u0026lsquo;what else?,\u0026rsquo; when he flagged. Within five minutes, he\u0026rsquo;d literally solved the whole thing himself. We both laughed so hard. It absolutely worked.\u0026rdquo; Alex went on to use the technique with his colleagues, too, and now it\u0026rsquo;s a team habit. Ros is clear on the lesson for leaders: helping colleagues feel capable of handling matters on their own \u0026ldquo;is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone,\u0026rdquo; providing a great boost to their resilience and confidence.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n[[disruptor3up content]]\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe social self\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCharles heads the marketing function of a major retail chain. He\u0026rsquo;s overseeing a lot of change in the way his team works, as they take advantage of new technology. \u0026ldquo;Marketing is evolving fast,\u0026rdquo; he says. \u0026ldquo;Traditional marketing requires creativity.\u0026rdquo; He adds, \u0026ldquo;Modern marketing still requires that, but we now get to benefit from new analytical tools that allow us to track return on investment of our marketing campaigns. And that data crunching requires quite a different type of skillset\u0026mdash;much more quantitative.\u0026rdquo; That means he\u0026rsquo;s had to hire new types of people in the marketing department, alongside existing staff.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt sounds like nothing but upside for the marketing team. As Charles says, \u0026ldquo;it\u0026rsquo;s fantastic to be able to combine the best of both skillsets.\u0026rdquo; So what\u0026rsquo;s the challenge? \u0026ldquo;Whenever you have a very new group of people joining an existing team, you\u0026rsquo;ve got to pay real attention to motivation,\u0026rdquo; Charles warns. The reason for this lies deep in our highly social brains. Of all threats, social slights are especially high on the list of things against which our brains seek to defend us. This social sensitivity probably helped keep us safe when tribal belonging determined whether we\u0026rsquo;d survive the dangers of the prehistoric savannah\u0026mdash;but in the workplace, it means leaders have to meet three main types of deep social needs if they want their colleagues to thrive:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003eInclusion:\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ldquo;Do I belong?\u0026rdquo; In Charles\u0026rsquo;s case, existing staff may be worried that they\u0026rsquo;re going to be excluded from the exciting new work. The newbies, meanwhile, will be wondering whether they truly fit in.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003eRespect:\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ldquo;Do people recognize the value I bring?\u0026rdquo; Everyone on the team wants to feel that their efforts are useful and appreciated.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003eFairness:\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ldquo;Am I being treated just like everyone else\u0026mdash;or do I at least understand the reason that things are the way they are?\u0026rdquo;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf the answer to any of those questions is \u0026ldquo;no,\u0026rdquo; people\u0026rsquo;s brains can quickly go into defensive mode\u0026mdash;which, as we learned earlier, is a sure recipe for dysfunctional behavior. Indeed, Charles said \u0026ldquo;people were clearly feeling anxious and nervous. As a result, they started complaining about things they\u0026rsquo;ve never complained about before\u0026mdash;making snide comments or questioning things that they saw as scope creep or turf invasion. People here are generally polite and friendly, and passionate about their work. So they weren\u0026rsquo;t hostile. Just unsettled.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo boost feelings of inclusion, Charles deliberately created opportunities for both groups of staff to get to know each other and later collaborate in cross-functional teams to work on new product innovation. In addition to emphasizing these shared wins from teamwork, Charles also takes the time to make everyone feel respected for their individual contribution. \u0026ldquo;You have to make sure to give people \u0026lsquo;spotlight moments.\u0026rsquo; I look for opportunities to get them in front of the management team. I hate it when someone works on a presentation and then their boss delivers it. If people have done the work, they present it.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, he\u0026rsquo;s transparent about the rationale behind his decisions. As he explains, \u0026ldquo;it\u0026rsquo;s a great investment in minimizing suspicion and defensiveness later on.\u0026rdquo; In doing so, he personally takes time to balance his time between the creatives and the technical folks, and if someone\u0026rsquo;s giving up some responsibilities to one of the new hires, he says, \u0026ldquo;I make sure to explain why that\u0026rsquo;s happening and emphasize the opportunities they will have to do new stuff in other areas\u0026mdash;often areas that they\u0026rsquo;re better at and enjoy more.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, Charles says, \u0026ldquo;both sides are learning and growing by being exposed to each other.\u0026rdquo; It\u0026rsquo;s not something he sees as a one-off effort, either. \u0026ldquo;The company never stops changing. The people who are currently \u0026lsquo;new\u0026rsquo; will become the \u0026lsquo;old guard\u0026rsquo; and then there will be a new generation of skills needed.\u0026rdquo; After all, he says, \u0026ldquo;this sort of attention to the social dimension is important in any industry where systemic change is happening.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr /\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe evidence is pretty clear. Colleagues will behave more like their best selves, more of the time, if leaders take a few modest steps to foster an environment where people\u0026rsquo;s brain\u0026rsquo;s aren\u0026rsquo;t overloaded\u0026mdash;more focused on rewards than threats\u0026mdash;and have their fundamental social needs met. With a little behavioral science in their toolkit, leaders can build a more productive team\u0026mdash;and a happier one at that.\u003c/p\u003e"},"isFullScreenInteractive":{"boolValue":false},"hideStickySocialShareBar":{"boolValue":false},"desktopID":{"value":""},"mobileID":{"value":""},"desktopURL":{"value":""},"mobileURL":{"value":""},"desktopPaddingPercentage":{"value":""},"mobilePaddingPercentage":{"value":""},"desktopOverrideHeight":{"value":""},"mobileOverrideHeight":{"value":""},"cerosOembedURL":{"value":""},"cerosRenderMode":{"targetItem":null},"cerosBackgroundColor":{"targetItem":null},"hideByLine":{"boolValue":false},"tableOfContentsTitle":{"value":"TABLE OF CONTENTS"},"accessStatus":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"RegisteredUsers"},"value":{"value":"Registered Users"}}},"articleType":{"targetItem":{"displayName":"Article"}},"hasSpecialReport":{"boolValue":false},"contentType":{"targetItem":{"displayName":"Article"}},"sourcePublication":{"targetItem":{"name":"McKinsey Quarterly","displayName":"McKinsey Quarterly","title":{"value":"McKinsey Quarterly"},"relatedlinks":{"url":"/quarterly/overview"},"landinglinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[]}}}},"externalPublication":{"value":""},"mobileReady":{"boolValue":true},"forClientsOnly":{"boolValue":false},"excludeFromClientLink":{"boolValue":false},"originalPublishDate":{"jsonValue":{"value":"2016-02-01T00:00:00Z"}},"footnotes":{"value":""},"contributoryPractice":{"targetItems":[]},"aboutTheAuthors":{"value":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaroline Webb\u003c/strong\u003e is a senior adviser to McKinsey and an alumnus of the firm\u0026rsquo;s London office. This article is based on research in her new book, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/246587/how-to-have-a-good-day-by-caroline-webb/\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHow to Have a Good Day: Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e (Crown Business, February 2016).\u003c/p\u003e"},"authors":{"targetItems":[{"template":{"id":"3FBABDB63A094F68B1F8E1BBE1BA124E","name":"Author"},"id":"B0AC5C0125D14CFDA65DF2BC84736A3B","name":"Caroline Webb","authorTitle":{"value":"Caroline Webb"},"description":{"value":""},"thumbnailImage":{"alt":"","src":null},"profile":{"targetItems":[]}}]},"nonPartnerAuthors":{"targetItems":[]},"interactiveToUse":{"targetItem":null},"enableArticleComponents":{"boolValue":false},"relatedArticles":{"targetItems":[{"sourcePublication":{"targetItem":{"name":"McKinsey Quarterly"}},"publicationSource":null,"externalPublication":{"value":""},"title":{"value":"Want to be a better leader? Observe more and react less"},"url":{"path":"/featured-insights/leadership/want-to-be-a-better-leader-observe-more-and-react-less"},"eyebrow":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"articleType":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"contentType":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"description":{"value":"Overloaded executives need coping mechanisms. This personal reflection shows how meditation can help."},"standardImage":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/leadership/want to be a better leader observe more and react less/q16_web_meditation_160476455_1536x1536_original.jpg","alt":"q16_web_meditation_160476455_1536x1536_Original"},"heroImage":null,"thumbnailImage":null},{"sourcePublication":{"targetItem":{"name":"McKinsey Quarterly"}},"publicationSource":null,"externalPublication":{"value":""},"title":{"value":"Leadership in context"},"url":{"path":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/leadership-in-context"},"eyebrow":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"articleType":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"contentType":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"description":{"value":"Organizational health matters more than you might expect."},"standardImage":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/our insights/leadership in context/q16_web_situational leadership_577237157_1536x1536_original.jpg","alt":"q16_web_situational-leadership_577237157_1536x1536_Original"},"heroImage":null,"thumbnailImage":null},{"sourcePublication":{"targetItem":{"name":"McKinsey Quarterly"}},"publicationSource":null,"externalPublication":{"value":""},"title":{"value":"Recovering from information overload"},"url":{"path":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/recovering-from-information-overload"},"eyebrow":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"articleType":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"contentType":{"targetItem":{"name":"Article"}},"description":{"value":"Always-on, multitasking work environments are killing productivity, dampening creativity, and making us unhappy."},"standardImage":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/our insights/recovering from information overload/rein11_frth.jpg","alt":"rein11_frth"},"heroImage":null,"thumbnailImage":null}]},"useEnhancedAuthors":{"boolValue":false},"acknowledgements":{"value":""},"showSocialShareFooter":{"boolValue":false},"template":{"id":"683910db-02ba-40ba-92e7-726c880160a9"},"hideFromSearchEngines":{"boolValue":false},"heroFiftyFiftyBackground":{"targetItem":null},"backgroundColor":{"targetItem":null},"gradientDirection":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"Bottom Right"},"value":{"value":"bottom-right"}}},"hideStickySubscriptionBar":{"value":false},"enableRegWall":{"boolValue":true},"timer":{"value":"8"},"regWallHeading":{"value":"Sign in or create a free account to read/download this McKinsey Archive article"},"showGoToHomeLink":{"boolValue":false},"regWallDescription":{"value":"McKinsey insights published prior to 2020 are available in our archives."},"isInsightsStorePage":{"boolValue":false},"enableRatingsForArticleBody":{"boolValue":false},"enableRatingsForMostPopular":{"boolValue":false},"selectedModalSubscriptions":{"targetItems":[]},"link1":{"queryString":"","className":"","anchor":"","linkType":"internal","url":"","text":"","targetItem":null},"link2":{"queryString":"","className":"","anchor":"","linkType":"internal","url":"","text":"","targetItem":null},"link3":{"queryString":"","className":"","anchor":"","linkType":"internal","url":"","text":"","targetItem":null},"link4":{"queryString":"","className":"","anchor":"","linkType":"internal","url":"","text":"","targetItem":null},"link5":{"queryString":"","className":"","anchor":"","linkType":"internal","url":"","text":"","targetItem":null},"fullReportPDF":{"name":"Full Report PDF","src":null,"displayName":null,"title":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"extension":null,"mimeType":null,"size":null,"pageCount":null,"thumbnailImageSrc":""},"fullReportPDFDisplayName":{"value":""},"appendixPDF":{"name":"Appendix PDF","src":null,"displayName":null,"title":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"extension":null,"mimeType":null,"size":null,"pageCount":null,"thumbnailImageSrc":""},"appendixPDFDisplayName":{"value":""},"articlePDF":{"name":"Article PDF","src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/our insights/how small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic/how small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic.pdf","displayName":"How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic","title":"","keywords":"","description":"","extension":"pdf","mimeType":"application/pdf","size":73331,"pageCount":"","thumbnailImageSrc":""},"briefingNotePDF":{"name":"Briefing Note PDF","src":null,"displayName":null,"title":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"extension":null,"mimeType":null,"size":null,"pageCount":null,"thumbnailImageSrc":""},"discussionPapersPDF":{"name":"Discussion Papers PDF","src":null,"displayName":null,"title":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"extension":null,"mimeType":null,"size":null,"pageCount":null,"thumbnailImageSrc":""},"executiveSummaryPDF":{"name":"Executive Summary PDF","src":null,"displayName":null,"title":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"extension":null,"mimeType":null,"size":null,"pageCount":null,"thumbnailImageSrc":""},"executiveSummaryPDFDisplayName":{"value":""},"researchPreviewPDF":{"name":"Research Preview PDF","src":null,"displayName":null,"title":null,"keywords":null,"description":null,"extension":null,"mimeType":null,"size":null,"pageCount":null,"thumbnailImageSrc":""},"heroImage":{"src":null,"alt":""},"standardImage":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/our insights/how small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic/q16_web_caroline webb_525328447_1536x1536_original.jpg","alt":"q16_web_caroline-webb_525328447_1536x1536_Original"},"heroImageTopOffset":{"value":""},"headerOverlayOpacity":{"targetItem":null},"heroType":{"targetItem":{"displayName":"Existing"}},"photoOverlayOpacity":{"targetItem":null},"hideHero":{"boolValue":false},"renderStackedHeroLayoutForMobile":{"boolValue":false},"articleHeroVideoId":{"value":""},"podcastHeroOmnyAudioID":{"value":""},"heroBespokeInteractiveID":{"value":""},"bespokeHeroRenderMode":{"targetItem":null},"audio":{"results":[]},"disruptor1up":{"results":[{"mediaID":{"value":"cop"},"title":{"value":"Explore COP29 with McKinsey"},"description":{"value":"Join our series of dynamic virtual events during COP29. Discover new research, practical strategies, and collaborations across sectors to move climate action beyond why to how."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/sustainability/how we help clients/cop/cop29/cop_29_thumb.jpg","alt":"McKinsey at COP29"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Register","Title":"","Url":"https://mckinsey.cventevents.com/Q2MVE1?rt=RrQJ1iBSfEiqSK7N9VAGCw\u0026RefId=cop"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"attheedge"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eAt the Edge\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-the-edge/id1612870236"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/3SnUcezwM20nKnzqvUl6iF"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"authortalks"},"title":{"value":"Visit \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks\"\u003eAuthor Talks\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e to see the full series."},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey books/author talks/authortalks_1536x1536_v1.png","alt":"Author Talks"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"COVID"},"title":{"value":"Explore McKinsey’s ongoing coverage of the pandemic"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/risk/our insights/covid 19 implications for business/implications-briefing-note-4-standard-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"COVID-19: Implications for business"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Read more about the business impact of coronavirus and how organizations can respond","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/coronavirus-leading-through-the-crisis"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"CE"},"title":{"value":"Customer experience"},"description":{"value":"More insight into creating competitive advantage by putting customers first and managing their journeys."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/industries/public and social sector/our insights/customer experience/customer-experience_22934010_1536x864.jpg","alt":"Customer experience"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":""}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"driversofdisruption"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to \u003ca href=\"/features/mckinsey-center-for-future-mobility/our-insights/drivers-of-disruption\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDrivers of Disruption\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drivers-of-disruption/id1687257324"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5fWXzWmVKacc5I7u9CQsah?si=KQ-wUOSyQlqcnfexExiH9Q\u0026nd=1"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"JOL"},"title":{"value":"The Journey of Leadership"},"description":{"value":"\u003cstrong\u003eHow CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nBy \u003ca href=\"/our-people/dana-maor\"\u003eDana Maor\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanswernerkaas\"\u003eHans-Werner Kaas\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"/our-people/kurt-strovink\"\u003eKurt Strovink\u003c/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"/our-people/ramesh-srinivasan\"\u003eRamesh Srinivasan\u003c/a\u003e"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey books/journey of leadership/journey-of-leadership-book-cover-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"The Journey of Leadership book cover"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/journey-of-leadership"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"surveys"},"title":{"value":"McKinsey\u0026rsquo;s original survey research"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey global surveys/mck-global-survey-landing-1284442931-thumb-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"McKinsey Global Surveys"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Read more","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-global-surveys"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"healthcarepodcast"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Healthcare\u003c/em\u003e?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-healthcare/id1469979748"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/3y1AgAilV4E5Jz0x4wD9O2?si=mLCTUQ2ORTS_LC5gW_htlA\u0026dl_branch=1"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"myleadershipjourney"},"title":{"value":"My Leadership Journey"},"description":{"value":"A series of conversations with leaders about the people and experiences that shaped them"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/our insights/my leadership journey/my leadership journey collection page_131575496_thumb_1536x1536.jpg","alt":"My Leadership Journey"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/my-leadership-journey"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"lessonsfromleaders"},"title":{"value":"State of Organizations: Lessons from leaders"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/our insights/state of org lessons from leaders/soo-chapter-2-872507320-standard-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"\"\""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Explore more interviews","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/lessons-from-leaders"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"stateoforg"},"title":{"value":"The State of Organizations 2023"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Report overview","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-state-of-organizations-2023"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"titaniumeconomy"},"title":{"value":"The Titanium Economy"},"description":{"value":"How Industrial Technology Can Create a Better, Faster, Stronger America\u003cbr /\u003e\nBy \u003ca href=\"/our-people/asutosh-padhi\"\u003eAsutosh Padhi\u003c/a\u003e, Gaurav Batra, and \u003ca href=\"https://fernweh.com/nick-santhanam/\"\u003eNick Santhanam\u003c/a\u003e"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey books/the titanium economy/titanium_3d-1536x1536-hero-trans.png","alt":"The Titanium Economy Book cover"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/the-titanium-economy"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"GII"},"title":{"value":"Global Infrastructure Initiative"},"description":{"value":"Convening global leaders in infrastructure and capital projects in pursuit of new solutions"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/operations/our insights/the global infrastructure initiative/jpg-cpi-improving-construction-productivity-1536x864.jpg","alt":"Improving construction productivity"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"http://www.globalinfrastructureinitiative.com/"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"FOApodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to \u003ca href=\"/featured-insights/future-of-asia/future-of-asia-podcasts\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFuture of Asia Podcasts\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-asia/id1480316959"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/2CZX4AR2DT4hQCFKJG0cCv?si=B20tkrOmQYymuCUhKCQOwA"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"logisticsdisruptors"},"title":{"value":"Logistics Disruptors"},"description":{"value":"Meet the companies shaping how goods will move tomorrow."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/industries/travel logistics and infrastructure/our insights/logistics disruptors/tli-logistics-disruptors-1536x1536.jpeg","alt":"illustration autonomous truck driving off into the future"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/logistics-disruptors"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"mckinseyexplainers"},"title":{"value":"Looking for direct answers to other complex questions?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey explainers/mckinseyexplainers-flat-thumb-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"Circular, white maze filled with white semicircles."},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Explore the full McKinsey Explainers series","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"livesandlegacies"},"title":{"value":"\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-lives-and-legacies\"\u003eMcKinsey on Lives \u0026amp; Legacies\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e"},"description":{"value":"Highlighting the lasting impact of leaders and executives"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey on lives and legacies/lives-and-legacies-landing-page-thumb-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"McKinsey on Lives \u0026 Legacies"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Explore previous obituaries","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-lives-and-legacies"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"Strategy"},"title":{"value":"Strategy in a digital age"},"description":{"value":"Our series on developing corporate and business-unit strategies in a digitally disrupted world."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/mckinsey digital/our insights/strategy in a digital age/digital-strategy_1536x864_flexpromoimage.jpg","alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"View the collection","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/strategy-in-a-digital-age"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"great"},"title":{"value":"The great re-make: Manufacturing for modern times"},"description":{"value":"This 21-article compendium gives practical insights for manufacturing leaders looking to keep a step ahead of today\u0026rsquo;s disruptions."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/operations/our insights/the great remake manufacturing for modern times/jpg-ops-dm-compendium-cover-1536x864.jpg","alt":"The great re-make: Manufacturing for modern times"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"View the collection","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/operations/our-insights/the-great-re-make-manufacturing-for-modern-times-compendium"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"futureofamerica"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eFuture of America\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-america/id1616517376"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/0FpeyjojJTKf2hVtQ3otah"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"governmentpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Government\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-government/id1573645359"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/61XsO4B2ersroMft8t3KSq"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"podcast"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to the McKinsey Podcast?\n"},"description":{"value":"\u003cdiv class=\"cta-container -align-horizontal\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"btn btn-fill\"\u003eGoogle Play\u003c/a\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"btn btn-fill\"\u003eiTunes\u003c/a\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"btn btn-fill\"\u003eStitcher\u003c/a\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"btn mck-rss-icon\"\u003eRSS\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"operationspodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey Talks Operations\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-talks-operations/id1598128813"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/7LYQS2fxAoBmC3LgFNJbi8"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"energyinsights"},"title":{"value":"Speak to an expert about our upstream capabilities"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/industries/oil and gas/how we help clients/energy insights/newsletter-signup-promo-bar-1536x768.jpg","alt":"EI newsletter sign up"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Contact us","Title":"","Url":"/industries/oil-and-gas/how-we-help-clients/energy-solutions/contact-us"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"buildingproductspodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Building Products\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-building-product/id1735607317"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/79pncGJtBtzz7pFoR6OiH8"},{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Listen to previous episodes","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/how-we-help-clients/mckinsey-academy/product-academy/mckinsey-on-building-product"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"talentpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey Talks Talent\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-talks-talent/id1491112396"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5sW4eHEFMbOvAFJjMfN9a6"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"outlook"},"title":{"value":"A longer, more comprehensive version of our Global Oil Supply \u0026 Demand Outlook is available for purchase upon request.\n"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Contact us","Title":"","Url":"/industries/oil-and-gas/how-we-help-clients/energy-solutions/contact-us"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"talentpodcast2"},"title":{"value":"McKinsey Talks Talent Podcast"},"description":{"value":"Bryan Hancock, Brooke Weddle, and other talent experts help you navigate a fast-changing landscape and prepare for the future of work by making talent a competitive advantage."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/mckinsey talks talent/mck-mtt-disruptor-full-1536x864-smoke-may-2021.jpg","alt":"McKinsey Talks Talent"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"See more episodes","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/mckinsey-talks-talent-podcast"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"investing"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to McKinsey on Investing"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/industries/private-capital/our-insights/mckinsey-on-investing-issue-1/contact"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"women matter"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to McKinsey \u003cem\u003eWomen Matter Canada\u003c/em\u003e"},"description":{"value":"Please subscribe if your organization is interested in learning about participating in future research."},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":""}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"customs"},"title":{"value":"This article was written as part of a larger research effort to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation at customs agencies globally."},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/industries/public-sector/our-insights/contact"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"tech"},"title":{"value":"\u003cspan class=\"disrupt-ab\"\u003eCreating value beyond the hype\u003c/span\u003e"},"description":{"value":"Let\u0026rsquo;s deliver on the promise of technology from strategy to scale."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/mckinsey digital/how we help clients/2024/never-just-tech_thumb_1536x1536.jpg","alt":"Never just tech"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Get started","Title":"","Url":"https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/how-we-help-clients?cid=njt-ste-crk-mbm-mbm--2403-promo01-njt-bam-web"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"sust"},"title":{"value":"\u003cspan class=\"disrupt-ab\"\u003eMove from plans to progress.\u003c/span\u003e"},"description":{"value":"Sustainability matters. Together we’ll make it real."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/sustainability/how we help clients/sustainability-campaign_promo-thumb_1536x1536.jpg","alt":"Move from plans to progress."},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Get started","Title":"","Url":"https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/how-we-help-clients/?cid=susti24-ste-crk-mbm-m01-other-glb-web"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"nwowpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the New World of Work podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-world-of-work/id1319502839?mt=2"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/3S6fHLW6mcbDJDp1wkArKI"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"globalpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to \u003cem\u003eThe McKinsey Podcast\u003c/em\u003e?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mckinsey-podcast/id285260960?mt=2"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/4dyjRTP9xzEUPgleo6XjXI"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"YouTube","Title":"","Url":"https://www.youtube.com/@McKinsey/podcasts"},{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Listen to previous episodes","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-podcast"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"Qaudio"},"title":{"value":"Discover and subscribe to McKinsey Quarterly Audio"},"description":{"value":"\u003cstrong\u003eFive ways to subscribe:\u003c/strong\u003e"},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-quarterly-audio/id1437925222?mt=2"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5mb2zYJnrPcRrML8gx5doD"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"shortlist"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the Shortlist"},"description":{"value":"McKinsey\u0026rsquo;s new weekly newsletter, featuring must-read content on a range of topics, every Friday"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/email/shortlist/template/shortlist_promo-interrupter-849120982_1536x1536.jpg","alt":"the Shortlist"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Get the Shortlist in your inbox","Title":"","Url":"/user-registration/manage-account/edit-subscriptions"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"retailpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Consumer and Retail\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-consumer-and-retail/id1526250428"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/41D4bro8PPDOGhEgOEJyHB?si=7l3SeYCZQD-7v3toqd9fHQ"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"insurancepodcast"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Insurance\u003c/em\u003e podcast?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-insurance/id1533196359"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5gZ6YKF7n7C9zWaER4mFZ5"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"strategypodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eInside the Strategy Room\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-strategy-room/id1422814215?mt=2"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/4TcFfiQ0e6OYuc5kRDLxqj"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"mgipodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eForward Thinking\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-thinking/id1319502839"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/3S6fHLW6mcbDJDp1wkArKI?si=0zvPmiCsQ7SBAPanfpY4aA\u0026nd=1"},{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Listen to previous episodes","Title":"","Url":"/mgi/forward-thinking"}]}}}]},"globalDisruptors":{"disruptor1up":{"results":[{"mediaID":{"value":"cop"},"title":{"value":"Explore COP29 with McKinsey"},"description":{"value":"Join our series of dynamic virtual events during COP29. Discover new research, practical strategies, and collaborations across sectors to move climate action beyond why to how."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/sustainability/how we help clients/cop/cop29/cop_29_thumb.jpg","alt":"McKinsey at COP29"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Register","Title":"","Url":"https://mckinsey.cventevents.com/Q2MVE1?rt=RrQJ1iBSfEiqSK7N9VAGCw\u0026RefId=cop"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"attheedge"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eAt the Edge\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-the-edge/id1612870236"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/3SnUcezwM20nKnzqvUl6iF"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"authortalks"},"title":{"value":"Visit \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks\"\u003eAuthor Talks\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e to see the full series."},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey books/author talks/authortalks_1536x1536_v1.png","alt":"Author Talks"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"COVID"},"title":{"value":"Explore McKinsey’s ongoing coverage of the pandemic"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/risk/our insights/covid 19 implications for business/implications-briefing-note-4-standard-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"COVID-19: Implications for business"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Read more about the business impact of coronavirus and how organizations can respond","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/coronavirus-leading-through-the-crisis"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"CE"},"title":{"value":"Customer experience"},"description":{"value":"More insight into creating competitive advantage by putting customers first and managing their journeys."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/industries/public and social sector/our insights/customer experience/customer-experience_22934010_1536x864.jpg","alt":"Customer experience"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":""}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"driversofdisruption"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to \u003ca href=\"/features/mckinsey-center-for-future-mobility/our-insights/drivers-of-disruption\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDrivers of Disruption\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drivers-of-disruption/id1687257324"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5fWXzWmVKacc5I7u9CQsah?si=KQ-wUOSyQlqcnfexExiH9Q\u0026nd=1"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"JOL"},"title":{"value":"The Journey of Leadership"},"description":{"value":"\u003cstrong\u003eHow CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nBy \u003ca href=\"/our-people/dana-maor\"\u003eDana Maor\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanswernerkaas\"\u003eHans-Werner Kaas\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"/our-people/kurt-strovink\"\u003eKurt Strovink\u003c/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"/our-people/ramesh-srinivasan\"\u003eRamesh Srinivasan\u003c/a\u003e"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey books/journey of leadership/journey-of-leadership-book-cover-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"The Journey of Leadership book cover"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/journey-of-leadership"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"surveys"},"title":{"value":"McKinsey\u0026rsquo;s original survey research"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey global surveys/mck-global-survey-landing-1284442931-thumb-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"McKinsey Global Surveys"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Read more","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-global-surveys"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"healthcarepodcast"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Healthcare\u003c/em\u003e?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-healthcare/id1469979748"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/3y1AgAilV4E5Jz0x4wD9O2?si=mLCTUQ2ORTS_LC5gW_htlA\u0026dl_branch=1"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"myleadershipjourney"},"title":{"value":"My Leadership Journey"},"description":{"value":"A series of conversations with leaders about the people and experiences that shaped them"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/our insights/my leadership journey/my leadership journey collection page_131575496_thumb_1536x1536.jpg","alt":"My Leadership Journey"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/my-leadership-journey"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"lessonsfromleaders"},"title":{"value":"State of Organizations: Lessons from leaders"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/our insights/state of org lessons from leaders/soo-chapter-2-872507320-standard-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"\"\""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Explore more interviews","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/lessons-from-leaders"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"stateoforg"},"title":{"value":"The State of Organizations 2023"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Report overview","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-state-of-organizations-2023"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"titaniumeconomy"},"title":{"value":"The Titanium Economy"},"description":{"value":"How Industrial Technology Can Create a Better, Faster, Stronger America\u003cbr /\u003e\nBy \u003ca href=\"/our-people/asutosh-padhi\"\u003eAsutosh Padhi\u003c/a\u003e, Gaurav Batra, and \u003ca href=\"https://fernweh.com/nick-santhanam/\"\u003eNick Santhanam\u003c/a\u003e"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey books/the titanium economy/titanium_3d-1536x1536-hero-trans.png","alt":"The Titanium Economy Book cover"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/the-titanium-economy"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"GII"},"title":{"value":"Global Infrastructure Initiative"},"description":{"value":"Convening global leaders in infrastructure and capital projects in pursuit of new solutions"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/operations/our insights/the global infrastructure initiative/jpg-cpi-improving-construction-productivity-1536x864.jpg","alt":"Improving construction productivity"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"http://www.globalinfrastructureinitiative.com/"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"FOApodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to \u003ca href=\"/featured-insights/future-of-asia/future-of-asia-podcasts\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFuture of Asia Podcasts\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-asia/id1480316959"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/2CZX4AR2DT4hQCFKJG0cCv?si=B20tkrOmQYymuCUhKCQOwA"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"logisticsdisruptors"},"title":{"value":"Logistics Disruptors"},"description":{"value":"Meet the companies shaping how goods will move tomorrow."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/industries/travel logistics and infrastructure/our insights/logistics disruptors/tli-logistics-disruptors-1536x1536.jpeg","alt":"illustration autonomous truck driving off into the future"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/logistics-disruptors"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"mckinseyexplainers"},"title":{"value":"Looking for direct answers to other complex questions?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey explainers/mckinseyexplainers-flat-thumb-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"Circular, white maze filled with white semicircles."},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Explore the full McKinsey Explainers series","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"livesandlegacies"},"title":{"value":"\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-lives-and-legacies\"\u003eMcKinsey on Lives \u0026amp; Legacies\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e"},"description":{"value":"Highlighting the lasting impact of leaders and executives"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/featured insights/mckinsey on lives and legacies/lives-and-legacies-landing-page-thumb-1536x1536.jpg","alt":"McKinsey on Lives \u0026 Legacies"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Explore previous obituaries","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-lives-and-legacies"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"Strategy"},"title":{"value":"Strategy in a digital age"},"description":{"value":"Our series on developing corporate and business-unit strategies in a digitally disrupted world."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/mckinsey digital/our insights/strategy in a digital age/digital-strategy_1536x864_flexpromoimage.jpg","alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"View the collection","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/strategy-in-a-digital-age"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"great"},"title":{"value":"The great re-make: Manufacturing for modern times"},"description":{"value":"This 21-article compendium gives practical insights for manufacturing leaders looking to keep a step ahead of today\u0026rsquo;s disruptions."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/operations/our insights/the great remake manufacturing for modern times/jpg-ops-dm-compendium-cover-1536x864.jpg","alt":"The great re-make: Manufacturing for modern times"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"View the collection","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/operations/our-insights/the-great-re-make-manufacturing-for-modern-times-compendium"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"futureofamerica"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eFuture of America\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-america/id1616517376"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/0FpeyjojJTKf2hVtQ3otah"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"governmentpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Government\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-government/id1573645359"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/61XsO4B2ersroMft8t3KSq"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"podcast"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to the McKinsey Podcast?\n"},"description":{"value":"\u003cdiv class=\"cta-container -align-horizontal\"\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"btn btn-fill\"\u003eGoogle Play\u003c/a\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"btn btn-fill\"\u003eiTunes\u003c/a\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"btn btn-fill\"\u003eStitcher\u003c/a\u003e\n \u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"btn mck-rss-icon\"\u003eRSS\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"operationspodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey Talks Operations\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-talks-operations/id1598128813"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/7LYQS2fxAoBmC3LgFNJbi8"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"energyinsights"},"title":{"value":"Speak to an expert about our upstream capabilities"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/industries/oil and gas/how we help clients/energy insights/newsletter-signup-promo-bar-1536x768.jpg","alt":"EI newsletter sign up"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Contact us","Title":"","Url":"/industries/oil-and-gas/how-we-help-clients/energy-solutions/contact-us"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"buildingproductspodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Building Products\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-building-product/id1735607317"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/79pncGJtBtzz7pFoR6OiH8"},{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Listen to previous episodes","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/how-we-help-clients/mckinsey-academy/product-academy/mckinsey-on-building-product"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"talentpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey Talks Talent\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-talks-talent/id1491112396"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5sW4eHEFMbOvAFJjMfN9a6"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"outlook"},"title":{"value":"A longer, more comprehensive version of our Global Oil Supply \u0026 Demand Outlook is available for purchase upon request.\n"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Contact us","Title":"","Url":"/industries/oil-and-gas/how-we-help-clients/energy-solutions/contact-us"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"talentpodcast2"},"title":{"value":"McKinsey Talks Talent Podcast"},"description":{"value":"Bryan Hancock, Brooke Weddle, and other talent experts help you navigate a fast-changing landscape and prepare for the future of work by making talent a competitive advantage."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/people and organizational performance/mckinsey talks talent/mck-mtt-disruptor-full-1536x864-smoke-may-2021.jpg","alt":"McKinsey Talks Talent"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"See more episodes","Title":"","Url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/mckinsey-talks-talent-podcast"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"investing"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to McKinsey on Investing"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/industries/private-capital/our-insights/mckinsey-on-investing-issue-1/contact"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"women matter"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to McKinsey \u003cem\u003eWomen Matter Canada\u003c/em\u003e"},"description":{"value":"Please subscribe if your organization is interested in learning about participating in future research."},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":""}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"customs"},"title":{"value":"This article was written as part of a larger research effort to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation at customs agencies globally."},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Learn more","Title":"","Url":"/industries/public-sector/our-insights/contact"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"tech"},"title":{"value":"\u003cspan class=\"disrupt-ab\"\u003eCreating value beyond the hype\u003c/span\u003e"},"description":{"value":"Let\u0026rsquo;s deliver on the promise of technology from strategy to scale."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/mckinsey digital/how we help clients/2024/never-just-tech_thumb_1536x1536.jpg","alt":"Never just tech"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Get started","Title":"","Url":"https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/how-we-help-clients?cid=njt-ste-crk-mbm-mbm--2403-promo01-njt-bam-web"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"sust"},"title":{"value":"\u003cspan class=\"disrupt-ab\"\u003eMove from plans to progress.\u003c/span\u003e"},"description":{"value":"Sustainability matters. Together we’ll make it real."},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/sustainability/how we help clients/sustainability-campaign_promo-thumb_1536x1536.jpg","alt":"Move from plans to progress."},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Get started","Title":"","Url":"https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/how-we-help-clients/?cid=susti24-ste-crk-mbm-m01-other-glb-web"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"nwowpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the New World of Work podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-world-of-work/id1319502839?mt=2"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/3S6fHLW6mcbDJDp1wkArKI"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"globalpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to \u003cem\u003eThe McKinsey Podcast\u003c/em\u003e?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mckinsey-podcast/id285260960?mt=2"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/4dyjRTP9xzEUPgleo6XjXI"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"YouTube","Title":"","Url":"https://www.youtube.com/@McKinsey/podcasts"},{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Listen to previous episodes","Title":"","Url":"/featured-insights/mckinsey-podcast"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"Qaudio"},"title":{"value":"Discover and subscribe to McKinsey Quarterly Audio"},"description":{"value":"\u003cstrong\u003eFive ways to subscribe:\u003c/strong\u003e"},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-quarterly-audio/id1437925222?mt=2"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5mb2zYJnrPcRrML8gx5doD"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"shortlist"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the Shortlist"},"description":{"value":"McKinsey\u0026rsquo;s new weekly newsletter, featuring must-read content on a range of topics, every Friday"},"image":{"src":"/~/media/mckinsey/email/shortlist/template/shortlist_promo-interrupter-849120982_1536x1536.jpg","alt":"the Shortlist"},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Get the Shortlist in your inbox","Title":"","Url":"/user-registration/manage-account/edit-subscriptions"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"retailpodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Consumer and Retail\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-consumer-and-retail/id1526250428"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/41D4bro8PPDOGhEgOEJyHB?si=7l3SeYCZQD-7v3toqd9fHQ"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"insurancepodcast"},"title":{"value":"Want to subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eMcKinsey on Insurance\u003c/em\u003e podcast?"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mckinsey-on-insurance/id1533196359"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/5gZ6YKF7n7C9zWaER4mFZ5"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"strategypodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eInside the Strategy Room\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-strategy-room/id1422814215?mt=2"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/4TcFfiQ0e6OYuc5kRDLxqj"}]}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"mgipodcast"},"title":{"value":"Subscribe to the \u003cem\u003eForward Thinking\u003c/em\u003e podcast"},"description":{"value":""},"image":{"src":null,"alt":""},"moreLinks":{"jsonValue":{"value":[{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Apple Podcasts","Title":"","Url":"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-thinking/id1319502839"},{"CssClass":"btn btn-fill","LinkType":"external","Target":"_blank","Text":"Spotify","Title":"","Url":"https://open.spotify.com/show/3S6fHLW6mcbDJDp1wkArKI?si=0zvPmiCsQ7SBAPanfpY4aA\u0026nd=1"},{"CssClass":"","LinkType":"internal","Target":"","Text":"Listen to previous episodes","Title":"","Url":"/mgi/forward-thinking"}]}}}]},"disruptorsignup":{"results":[{"mediaID":{"value":"full-width"},"renderMode":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"fullwidth"},"value":{"value":"Full Width"}}},"callToAction":{"url":"/user-registration/register-mvc","text":"Subscribe"},"title":{"jsonValue":{"value":"Stay current on your favorite topics"}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"left"},"renderMode":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"left"},"value":{"value":"Left"}}},"callToAction":{"url":"/user-registration/register-mvc","text":"Subscribe"},"title":{"jsonValue":{"value":"Stay current on your favorite topics"}}}]}},"ceros":{"results":[]},"exhibit":{"results":[]},"image":{"results":[]},"exhibitcarousel":{"results":[]},"pullquote":{"results":[]},"disruptorsignup":{"results":[{"mediaID":{"value":"full-width"},"renderMode":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"fullwidth"},"value":{"value":"Full Width"}}},"callToAction":{"url":"/user-registration/register-mvc","text":"Subscribe"},"title":{"jsonValue":{"value":"Stay current on your favorite topics"}}},{"mediaID":{"value":"left"},"renderMode":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"left"},"value":{"value":"Left"}}},"callToAction":{"url":"/user-registration/register-mvc","text":"Subscribe"},"title":{"jsonValue":{"value":"Stay current on your favorite topics"}}}]},"articlesidebar":{"results":[]},"boxout":{"results":[]},"globalsidebar":{"results":[]},"video":{"results":[{"template":{"name":"Video"},"mediaID":{"value":"1"},"videoID":{"value":"4744479036001"},"headline":{"value":"Improving work life, one day at a time"},"description":{"value":""},"mediaEyebrow":{"value":""},"displayNumber":{"value":""},"hideMediaEyebrow":{"boolValue":false},"displayMode":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"Collapsed"},"value":{"value":"Collapsed"}}}},{"template":{"name":"Video"},"mediaID":{"value":"2"},"videoID":{"value":"4744541992001"},"headline":{"value":"Putting science into practice"},"description":{"value":""},"mediaEyebrow":{"value":""},"displayNumber":{"value":""},"hideMediaEyebrow":{"boolValue":true},"displayMode":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"Collapsed"},"value":{"value":"Collapsed"}}}},{"template":{"name":"Video"},"mediaID":{"value":"3"},"videoID":{"value":"4744525329001"},"headline":{"value":"Strengthening your interactions"},"description":{"value":""},"mediaEyebrow":{"value":""},"displayNumber":{"value":""},"hideMediaEyebrow":{"boolValue":false},"displayMode":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"Collapsed"},"value":{"value":"Collapsed"}}}},{"template":{"name":"Video"},"mediaID":{"value":"4"},"videoID":{"value":"4744541988001"},"headline":{"value":"Learning to say a ‘positive no’"},"description":{"value":""},"mediaEyebrow":{"value":""},"displayNumber":{"value":""},"hideMediaEyebrow":{"boolValue":false},"displayMode":{"targetItem":{"key":{"value":"Collapsed"},"value":{"value":"Collapsed"}}}}]},"scrollycontainer":{"results":[]},"bespokeinteractive":{"results":[]},"storycontainer":{"results":[]},"interactive":{"results":[]},"sectionheader":{"results":[]},"statementdisruptor":{"results":[]},"fullbleedphoto":{"results":[]},"tocitem":{"results":[]},"quizcontainer":{"results":[]},"generalup":{"results":[]},"twoupmedium":{"results":[]},"accordion":{"results":[]},"factoid":{"results":[]},"promobarwithquote":{"results":[]},"oneupmedium":{"results":[]},"oneupmediumquote":{"results":[]},"gridwall":{"results":[]},"twoupsmall":{"results":[]},"oneclicksubscribe":{"results":[]},"promobar":{"results":[]},"promobanner":{"results":[]},"sectionhero":{"results":[]},"threeuplinklist":{"results":[]},"table":{"results":[]},"explainertooltip":{"results":[]},"isFiveFiftyHorizontalArticle":{"boolValue":false},"fiveFifty":{"results":[]}},"contextItem":{"ancestors":[{"breadCrumbUrl":{"path":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights"},"breadCrumbTitle":{"value":"Our Insights"},"isMiniSite":{"boolValue":false},"displayName":"Insights on People and Organizational Performance","template":{"id":"85FF05307883480F9A4C82123F72FFD8"}},{"breadCrumbUrl":{"path":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/how-we-help-clients"},"breadCrumbTitle":null,"isMiniSite":{"boolValue":true},"displayName":"People \u0026 Organizational Performance","template":{"id":"414C6C64AD35440E9668CF39D8A18CCF"}},{"breadCrumbUrl":{"path":"/capabilities"},"breadCrumbTitle":{"value":"Capabilities"},"isMiniSite":{"boolValue":false},"displayName":"Capabilities","template":{"id":"85FF05307883480F9A4C82123F72FFD8"}},{"breadCrumbUrl":{"path":"/"},"breadCrumbTitle":{"value":""},"isMiniSite":{"boolValue":false},"displayName":"Home","template":{"id":"85FF05307883480F9A4C82123F72FFD8"}}]}}},"placeholders":{"main-area":[],"sidebar-area":[]}}]}},"itemId":"017e4338-987d-444b-bbaf-80a6667ba015","pageEditing":false,"site":{"name":"website"},"pageState":"normal","language":"en","pageMetaData":{"alternateLanguages":[{"languageCode":"en","displayName":"English","url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/how-small-shifts-in-leadership-can-transform-your-team-dynamic"}],"currentLanguage":"en","navigationLink":"capabilities","activeItemId":"{263B5075-2E73-4049-ACE5-A781C619B562}","miniSiteId":"{3BACEF67-76B1-4244-B48C-DBD94B0F2B61}","officeCode":"","officeDisplayName":"","subscriptionPracticeData":null,"isAlaisedPage":false,"originalHostName":"www.mckinsey.com","updatedDate":"2024-11-07T09:04:51Z","createdDate":"2016-02-04T15:19:42Z","practice":{"isDefaultPractice":false,"name":"Organization","code":"N10","stickyTitle":"Sign up for emails on new Organization articles","stickySubtitle":"Never miss an insight. We'll email you when new articles are published on this topic.","previewLink":"","previewLinkLabel":"Preview","description":null,"descriptionText":"Get the latest articles on this topic delivered to your inbox","frequency":"Alert","regFormTitle":null},"url":"/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/how-small-shifts-in-leadership-can-transform-your-team-dynamic","isCareersPage":false,"officePath":"","hideAppPromo":false,"itemInfo":{"id":"017e4338-987d-444b-bbaf-80a6667ba015","fullPath":"/sitecore/content/McKinsey/Home/Capabilities/People and Organizational Performance/Our Insights/How small shifts in leadership can transform your team dynamic","templateName":"ArticleJSS","templateID":"683910db-02ba-40ba-92e7-726c880160a9"}},"defaultSettings":{"McKinsey Quarterly":"\u003cem\u003eMcKinsey Quarterly\u003c/em\u003e","FacebookCID":"soc-web","LinkedInCID":"soc-web","TwitterCID":"soc-web","Home Page SEO Details":{"Description":"McKinsey \u0026 Company is the trusted advisor and counselor to many of the world's most influential businesses and institutions.","Image_Url":"/~/media/images/global/seoimageplaceholder.jpg","Image_Alt":""}},"alumniDatalayerChunk":"static/chunks/alumnidatalayer.325ebb6069c1d69e.js"},"componentProps":{},"notFound":false,"noAccess":false},"__N_PREVIEW":true,"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/[[...path]]","query":{"timestamp":"1732259228660","path":["capabilities","people-and-organizational-performance","our-insights","how-small-shifts-in-leadership-can-transform-your-team-dynamic"]},"buildId":"9vYT_fWQKRjfPT7lAZJdB","runtimeConfig":{"CONFIG_ENV":"production","CURRENT_ENV":"production","PUBLIC_URL":"https://www.mckinsey.com","PUBLIC_CMS_URL":"https://cms-prod.mckinsey.com","RECAPTCHA_V3_KEY":"6LdC5twSAAAAAF0dePIbY_ckeF05mKdYYJXn7uTg","INVISIBLE_RECAPTCHA_KEY":"6LcWCs0UAAAAAEik2NaGkfGH8mGHo1ThxIt-qUoE","USER_SERVICE_API_HOST":"https://prd-api.mckinsey.com","MOBILE_SERVICES_HOST":"https://mobileservices.mckinsey.com","SEARCH_SERVICE_API_HOST":"https://mckapi.mckinsey.com","OT_DATA_DOMAIN_SCRIPT_COM":"915b5091-0d7e-44d2-a8c4-cf08267e52fe","OT_DATA_DOMAIN_SCRIPT_DE":"13f50396-9d33-4d95-ba3e-1f108fa91009","OT_DATA_DOMAIN_SCRIPT_BR":"679eae24-1d5c-4f33-8aae-b35aa8269966","ADOBE_LAUNCH":"a400cfbb2fd3","BCOV_POLICY":"BCpkADawqM3Xn1B8iTmHawNytUSk0kXaQKMSM51CBVsYKHfwlRhZimTJqbOOq0NuyxTKQnvb4V9myMVRjwGkyGtJQO2HrUPOJHcsgkpbB-jyHwswonskf6XnZaF0TyyKkAQgbymSMtudeD9CLk-xCpqAzTaNUm7a3M3QKLN4pdLRNJ9_HbVMWzNpiUr5ezAVdMciDMwsD-gxNl43d7bfVP3wRhTNWbWUYn3WK7-Oz2gbxV6mMTm0jJU3SjK_x0meTprYUgdUWA-iDgwVglsnfJ_SVtVDPZypUokKv85GzFLM-ywjWlPM2Hg1ucemwwOpa-qvYBGfeMV7zP3n6s22hFCBveiWtHEBpV9N8f4rjmunMlxBx7kSlxIRjWquZm70hLRXMoxAgQ22BC86tBhgR_d1l9_-FzZuZIlZhzJwJi3ug1HszooHM8uEMOkHmB5nYj5XEgVk5JFYGcSwFSnMnNzE1ej2J3jcEiE3eSWHcremWjCZ0s9bs_8R08WpGWkBp8WMXUFfmhPBMk-MGixR_yIu7nJ6B_hYBnVhqKnnoW-xxEmRxgwG0Ev0S96cAcBG8qdlChGN7o1qN0heGTUIYnDk703q3lt9j7X4FgaITrlcPZOWZ96EHytVKUAtmtVp5BVGpiLn4viuUpEdAM_CLSBIaPVunk-39L8tm6m8iUYmbMX_KXPyaL900bQtVQgK39FCa0pUEZ_jSBOGNj1FH8NUPN2TS8_csNWfpN7gsaD9FBN3wUtawAD_RPdJ952odfwJqyvrkN89AyKnFdFMvUh6_4LCIQVYd4M5KC_k1WNLYb11KZhq6O4UaoyD4X1pV4-x0jBzEnc4VQTkL_04dw2xdPJ1uqUrmHuUcIBO0SKaEk6_5HYc3GKfYwmPz1oxMpOi-Rzw1QPyWIdbrcZdFbIHoVZ8FKfyslEv392pJMiKzUnVWL_3mZ0UqnGtddwlXYVdSs57AUdlrfOe7TVaaIMZ_kL7FSrbWrsaSufitSYr62xD1K1-qeb4wkx8QQEorxGJ3RG1Vpn97Pn5JEC_jvj0s7uzFgidYR9bp80EMmPCHUmRg-Hm1Aq1B4YMNc1ARnFz6UvT_8_pMhJEwKuypA-nPoJu4JZJNLVUdw","sitecoreApiKey":"{AD59BE63-BA20-47D4-A1B0-ECF30588E2E2}","sitecoreApiHost":"https://prod.mckinsey.com","FB_APP_ID":"1382278882079245","ARTICLE_API_HOST":"https://prd-api.mckinsey.com","SITECORE_FORMS_SERVICES_API_HOST":"https://prd-api.mckinsey.com","FEATURE_TOGGLES":"{\"stack_adapt_pixel\": true, \"article_seo_schema\":true, \"remember_me\": true, \"gql_promo_banner\": true, \"gql_highlight_bar\": true, \"gql_ceros_placeholder\": true, \"gql_two_up_medium\": true, \"gql_hero_with_partnership_mark\": true, \"gql_brightcove_gallery\": true, \"gql_one_up_medium\": true, \"gql_promo_bar_with_quote\": true, \"gql_fifty_fifty_hero\": true, \"gql_enhanched_hero\": true, \"gql_two_up_small\": true, \"gql_general_up\": true, \"gql_full_bleed_hero\": true, \"passwordless_login_enabled\": true, \"sso_enabled\": true, \"article_id\": \"\", \"personalisation_enabled\":true, \"hide_student_sticky_footer\":true, \"email_domain_validation_enabled\":true, \"enable_cid_cookie_qp\": true, \"otp_verification_enabled\": true}","HEADER_SCRIPT_HASH":"abcd1234","OKTA_AUTH_CLIENT_ID":"0oa8ppb3ypQ8uOI8y697","OKTA_AUTH_ISSUER":"https://dotcomidp.mckinsey.com/oauth2/aus2byav0jTElyFDD697/","AUTO_REDIRECTION_DURATION":"5","LINKEDIN_IDP":"0oaecyj1byxnfrfFk697","APPLE_IDP":"0oaeg2lxy6mq4PX5F697","GOOGLE_IDP":"0oaeczfkb03XL3E4O697","ALUMNI_BASE_API_URL":"https://dev-gateway.intranet.mckinsey.com/:apiKey/v1","ALUMNI_AUTHENTICATE_API_URL":"https://dev-ac3-okta-auth.intranet.mckinsey.com/authenticate","ALUMNI_OKTA_URL":"","ALUMNI_OKTA_ENABLED":"true","GOOGLE_MAP_API_KEY":"AIzaSyDqrGDNMDjy9pXHkMf-_Ut33LoC725GSe4","AWS_GATEWAY":"https://dev-gateway.mckinsey.com","AWS_API_GATEWAY_ID":"o63viscaj4","AWS_PERSONALIZATION_TRACKING_ID":"f3f97bc3-4ca7-4960-9e49-0bcff6294ab4","AWS_PERSONALIZATION_CID":"recommendations-onw-onw-mck-mck-art-2410-v1-user-ext-web","EVENTS_MODULE_CARDS_COUNT":"8","RECOMMENDATIONS_OFFER_ACTIVITY":"Article Recommendations"},"isFallback":false,"dynamicIds":[70281,73769,76731],"gssp":true,"locale":"en","locales":["en","da-DK"],"defaultLocale":"en","isPreview":true,"scriptLoader":[]}</script><script type="text/javascript" src="/4nI7/Dqwk/7B/nBsQ/ONiA/ariaDDVzf6XpO1aN/bTZxKC1lBA/FyIEUX/xKAk0"></script></body></html>