The Walker Webcast Carolyn Dewar, Senior Partner of McKinsey
Jan 8, 2026
Carolyn Dewar, a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and co-author of the bestseller 'A CEO for All Seasons', shares invaluable insights from advising Fortune 100 CEOs. She dives into critical topics like how to leverage AI as a thought partner and the necessity for leaders to make bold early moves. Carolyn emphasizes cultivating a purpose-driven leadership mindset, avoiding complacency, and the importance of adapting strategies amidst uncertainty. Her practical advice is aimed at empowering leaders to unlock potential and inspire their teams.
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Play Competitor To Find Blind Spots
- Run ‘what-if’ exercises: imagine being your competitor and design attacks on your business.
- Use that reverse perspective to kill pet projects and unblock innovations before rivals do.
Use AI As A Sparring Partner
- Use AI as a thought partner to role-play competitors, board members, or admired leaders.
- Small teams can simulate expert feedback without large resources by prompting AI with personas.
Move Culture With Engineering Rigor
- Culture and talent are "soft" but must be treated with hard engineering discipline.
- Change behavior using role-modeling, training, and incentives like any operational project.
