
Carolyn Dewar
Senior partner at McKinsey and founder/co-leader of the firm's CEO Practice, author of CEO Excellence and A CEO for All Seasons, advising CEOs and boards on strategy, leadership, and organizational change.
Top 10 podcasts with Carolyn Dewar
Ranked by the Snipd community

26 snips
Jan 3, 2024 • 47min
191. Best of 2023 - How to make a strong start as a CEO
Carolyn Dewar, senior partner and founder of CEO Excellence Practice, and Kurt Strovink, senior partner and co-leader of global CEO initiative, discuss advice for new CEOs, including the importance of listening, emotional connection, and setting clear goals. They also address engaging former peers and board alignment.

20 snips
Nov 9, 2023 • 43min
183. How mid-tenure CEOs find a new gear
Guests Kurt Strovink and Carolyn Dewar discuss how mid-tenure CEOs can avoid complacency and create more value. They explore challenges faced, continuous learning, taking an outsider's perspective, and charting the next S curve. Valuable insights for CEOs to sustain high performance and adapt strategies based on experience.

16 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 44min
271. Mastering the cycles of CEO leadership: Starting strong, and staying ahead
In this insightful discussion, Kurt Strovink, a senior partner at McKinsey and coauthor of 'A CEO for All Seasons,' and Carolyn Dewar, also a senior partner and coauthor of 'CEO Excellence,' share their expertise on navigating CEO leadership cycles. They delve into strategies for new CEOs to start strong, emphasizing the importance of vision setting and listening tours. They explore the critical third season challenges, like evolving strategies and learning continuously. The duo highlights the need for CEOs to future-proof their organizations, ensuring sustainable growth.

10 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 43min
#325 Using Data to Master the Cycles of Leadership with Carolyn Dewar, Global Practice Leader at McKinsey
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.

Feb 15, 2022 • 24min
111. Leadership lessons from the world’s best CEOs. Ep 2
Scott Keller and Carolyn Dewar, senior partners at McKinsey, co-lead the CEO Excellence practice alongside Vik Malhotra, a former chair in the Americas region. They dive into the essential role of cultural management, likening it to financial strategy, and discuss how top CEOs cultivate a unified cultural vision. The trio shares insights on evolving leadership mindsets post-pandemic, emphasizing resilience and 'stagility.' Personal anecdotes highlight the importance of humility, authenticity, and trust in effective leadership.

Sep 26, 2025 • 47min
270. Mastering the cycles of CEO leadership: Stepping up and sending it forward
Carolyn Dewar, Vik Malhotra, and Kurt Strovink, all senior partners at McKinsey and co-authors of the upcoming book 'A CEO for All Seasons,' delve into the complexities of CEO leadership. They discuss why many CEOs feel unprepared for their roles, the importance of self-reflection, and the unique challenges faced at different stages of leadership. The trio also reveal the six core responsibilities of CEOs and the common blind spots that can hinder their effectiveness, offering valuable insights for aspiring and current leaders alike.

Apr 14, 2023 • 47min
Carolyn Dewar, Sr Partner - McKinsey, Bestselling Author - CEO Excellence
Carolyn Dewar, a senior partner at McKinsey and bestselling author, dives into her inspiring journey from a suburb outside Toronto to shaping leadership practices at McKinsey. She shares insights on the six mindsets that set top CEOs apart, highlighting the significance of balancing quantitative and qualitative leadership methods. Carolyn also discusses the importance of authenticity, overcoming self-doubt, and recognizing personal strengths, especially among women, to foster meaningful connections in both professional and personal spheres.

Apr 6, 2023 • 36min
252 Thursday Refresh with Carolyn Dewar: CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader
Carolyn Dewar, a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and co-author of CEO Excellence, shares insights on effective leadership. She identifies six key mindsets that distinguish top-performing CEOs, emphasizing the importance of corporate strategy and organizational alignment. Carolyn discusses the evolving role of CEOs, the need for high-functioning teams over individual performance, and highlights how empathy and coaching are essential in today's complex world. She also underlines the significance of trust and personal growth for lasting leadership success.

Feb 20, 2023 • 45min
The Secret to Leadership Success: Insights from Best-Selling Author Carolyn Dewar on the 6 Mindsets of the World's Top CEOs
Carolyn Dewar, a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and co-author of 'CEO Excellence,' shares transformative insights on leadership. She discusses the six critical mindsets that distinguish top CEOs. Listeners will uncover the evolving dynamics of leadership, emphasizing engagement over authority. Dewar explores the importance of clear communication and how vulnerability, paired with competence, can enhance leadership impact. She also highlights the significance of purpose in decision-making and the need for self-reflection to maximize effectiveness.

Dec 9, 2022 • 26min
327 Carolyn Dewar: Author of CEO Excellence & Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company
Carolyn Dewar, an author and Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, shares her expertise in CEO coaching and organizational effectiveness. She discusses the transformative insights from her book, CEO Excellence, revealing the six essential elements of successful leadership. The conversation delves into the unique challenges CEOs face, such as the loneliness of leadership and the need for authentic networks. Dewar emphasizes that effective leadership is not just about charisma, but also collaboration and strategic thinking in navigating modern business dynamics.