The McKinsey Edge: Success Principles from the World’s Most Powerful Consulting Firm

Table of contents

1. Cover
2. Title Page
3. Copyright Page
4. Dedication
5. Contents
6. Acknowledgments
7. Introduction
8. CHAPTER ONE Building the Better Self
   1. Get Ahead
      1. PRINCIPLE 1 Focus on What Really Matters
      2. PRINCIPLE 2 Start with the Hard Stuff in the Morning
      3. PRINCIPLE 3 Catch Small Signals and Make a Difference
      4. PRINCIPLE 4 Have a 30-Second Answer to Everything
      5. PRINCIPLE 5 Frontload Your Project
      6. PRINCIPLE 6 Create the Right End Output Image
   2. Hang Tight
      1. PRINCIPLE 7 Smile When You Are Under Stress
      2. PRINCIPLE 8 Go Beyond Your Self-Perceived Limit
      3. PRINCIPLE 9 Always Imagine the Worst-Case Scenario
      4. PRINCIPLE 10 Start Following Up
      5. PRINCIPLE 11 Push Back with Less Emotion
   3. Multiple Reflections
      1. PRINCIPLE 12 Be Flexible on the Perception of Your Passion
      2. PRINCIPLE 13 “What Would Marvin Do?” Find Your Role Models
      3. PRINCIPLE 14 Know What Gives You the Most Energy in Your Day
      4. PRINCIPLE 15 Go Jogging to Smell the Flowers
      5. PRINCIPLE 16 Create a Commitment Plan
9. CHAPTER TWO Growing with Others
   1. Communication
      1. PRINCIPLE 17 Always Memorize the First Three Sentences of a Presentation
      2. PRINCIPLE 18 Communicate Using Fewer Words
      3. PRINCIPLE 19 Pause Three Seconds Before Answering Difficult Questions
      4. PRINCIPLE 20 Question More and Talk Less
      5. PRINCIPLE 21 Turn No into Yes
      6. PRINCIPLE 22 Don’t Show Half-Baked Output
   2. Connection
      1. PRINCIPLE 23 Instantly Find a Connection in the Room
      2. PRINCIPLE 24 Be a Giver, Not a Receiver
      3. PRINCIPLE 25 Find the Best Intent in People
      4. PRINCIPLE 26 Learn Team Members’ Defining Moments and Personal Sides
      5. PRINCIPLE 27 Think of Everyone as a Helpful Individual, Not a “Resource”
      6. PRINCIPLE 28 Go Out for a Meal with Interesting People Every Week
   3. Understanding
      1. PRINCIPLE 29 Consciously Gauge Your People
      2. PRINCIPLE 30 Assign Team Members Meaningful Tasks
      3. PRINCIPLE 31 Create Followership Through Deliberate On-the-Job Coaching
      4. PRINCIPLE 32 Deliver Feedback Using Positive Criticism
      5. PRINCIPLE 33 Please Your Assistants and Support Staff
10. CHAPTER THREE Excelling in Process Management
    1. Productivity Themes and Enablers
       1. PRINCIPLE 34 Always Prepare an Agenda Before Meetings
       2. PRINCIPLE 35 Create “Four Boxes” To Dos
       3. PRINCIPLE 36 Focus on Outcomes Not Activities
       4. PRINCIPLE 37 Know Your Meeting Modes in Advance
       5. PRINCIPLE 38 Proactively Manage E-mail Communication Using the 5D Rules
       6. PRINCIPLE 39 Speak Up as Early as Possible
       7. PRINCIPLE 40 Create a Minimalist Presentation Tool Kit
       8. PRINCIPLE 41 Create an Easy-to-Use Template for Updates
11. CHAPTER FOUR Going the Extra Mile
    1. The Challenge to Achieve Lasting Growth
       1. PRINCIPLE 42 Give Away Knowledge and Tools Unsparingly
       2. PRINCIPLE 43 Get Rid of Your Physical Barriers
       3. PRINCIPLE 44 Ask the Second Order Questions
       4. PRINCIPLE 45 Learn to Write Fewer Notes
       5. PRINCIPLE 46 Prepare to Renew Your Life
       6. PRINCIPLE 47 Create Your Own “Profile” as a Leader
12. CHAPTER FIVE Become a Thinker and a Writer
    1. Thinking Sets Leaders Apart
    2. Marvin Bower on the Value of Writing
13. Appendix I: McKinsey Structure
14. Notes
15. Index