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Bob Sternfels

Global Managing Partner (CEO), McKinsey & Company

Search every verified Bob Sternfels interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Bob Sternfels, global managing partner of McKinsey, appeared on the firm's "Unpacked" webcast on May 19, 2026, where he discussed leadership, AI, and the next generation of talent. He described a tension in his role between delegating most decisions to others and occasionally needing to lead directly, particularly when staying true to the firm's values and taking a long-term view. Sternfels noted that he spends much of his time traveling to McKinsey offices, citing a recent trip to Asia that included China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and India. Sternfels said that going forward, McKinsey is focusing less on what degree or credential a candidate holds, because "the half-life of that credential for us gets shorter and shorter." He encouraged listeners not to assume their background is irrelevant to McKinsey. On AI, Sternfels observed that people see its potential but struggle to reimagine large enterprises, adding that the challenge is as much about organizational design as technology. He identified a key question as whether AI implementation will focus on productivity or growth.

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