#325 Using Data to Master the Cycles of Leadership with Carolyn Dewar, Global Practice Leader at McKinsey

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Oct 6, 2025

Carolyn Dewar, a Senior Partner at McKinsey and co-leader of the firm's CEO Practice, advises top leaders on strategy and organizational change. In this discussion, she emphasizes the critical balance between data and human insight in leadership. Carolyn outlines the six core responsibilities of CEOs and highlights how they can leverage data for strategy and talent decisions. She also shares insights on fostering a data-driven culture, identifying blind spots, and the importance of continuous learning to drive meaningful change.

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INSIGHT

Data As An Anchor In Uncertainty

Data makes some things knowable amid geopolitical and market noise.
Use data as an anchoring source of truth to cut through uncertainty.

ANECDOTE

Satya Nadella’s Monthly Learning Day

Satya Nadella sets aside one day a month to learn from external data and trends.
He uses that time to look around corners and inform strategy beyond day-to-day operations.

ADVICE

Make Data Use Visible And Practical

Role-model data use from the top and communicate its value widely.
Build quality systems and train people so they can confidently use data daily.

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Leadership in data-driven organizations requires a delicate balance of technical expertise and human understanding. As businesses navigate unprecedented uncertainty in global markets, geopolitics, and technological change, the role of data as a source of truth becomes increasingly vital. But how do you create a culture where data informs decisions at every level? What separates leaders who merely collect data from those who leverage it to drive bold, transformative action? For data professionals looking to advance their careers, the challenge extends beyond technical skills to understanding how data connects to broader business strategy and organizational purpose.

Carolyn Dewar is the founder and global co-leader of McKinsey & Company’s CEO Practice, where she partners with CEOs, founders, boards, and senior executives to help them maximize their effectiveness and lead their organizations through critical moments, including hypergrowth, transformation, crises, and mergers. Drawing on her extensive research and experience, Carolyn works with leaders across all stages of the CEO journey to drive large-scale organizational change, set bold strategies, and shape company culture to align leadership teams, manage external stakeholders, and optimize executive time and operating models. She helps CEOs develop the mindsets and frameworks needed to succeed in their role, ensuring they deliver lasting impact and sustainable growth.

A recognized thought leader, Carolyn is the co-author of CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest (a New York Times bestseller) and A CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership. She publishes the monthly Strategic CEO newsletter and has contributed over 30 articles to Harvard Business Review, The Conference Board, and McKinsey Quarterly. Carolyn is also a member of the McKinsey Global Institute Council, which advises on MGI’s research on global economic, business, and technology trends. With over 25 years of experience advising clients across industries, including financial services, technology, and consumer sectors, Carolyn is also a sought-after keynote speaker and panelist at global conferences.

In the episode, Richie and Carolyn explore common mistakes for CEOs, the unique responsibilities of a CEO, the importance of data-driven decision-making, fostering a data-centric culture, aligning data and business strategies, and much more.

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