Talk Like a Strategy Consultant (McKinsey's Culture)

Top-down communication is an approach used by consulting firms and business leaders around the world and was popularized by McKinsey & Company's top-management approach. I explore how Marvin Bower helped to shape this culture at McKinsey.

⏳TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:12 Defining Top-Down Communication
1:17 Top-Management Approach at McKinsey
1:43 Marvin Bower
2:31 Marvin Bower's Top Management Memo from 1941
4:36 Why McKinsey Consultants wore top hats
5:20 The Pyramid Principle & Top-Down Communication
6:05 Healthcare example
7:25 Generic to the specific
8:20 How to test top-down messages earlier
9:10 Testing your higher-level ideas over email

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[matttriggs]

The book "The Firm" by Duff McDonald goes into a lot of detail about the history of McKinsey and how a lot of these ideas were developed. Not sure if you read it in your research for this video, but I'd recommend it to people wanting to know more.

[felixnatercsc]

Validating content reminding me of the importance of the value of speaking to the audience and not at them. Not only is it a good idea but it seems to be the start of rapport building.

[GDPWorking]

I learnt about top-managment approach, and I liked how you contrasted it to the top-down approach.

[sharonfeng]

Very useful! Thank you for your sharing!😊

[crystaltaylor]

Wonder what you all think about this: I use BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) statements at the top of most of my emails and slides, with the supporting details as the content. I call this 2nd piece out as context. Then the 3rd thing I’ll add is additional detail.

[Bathrobebusiness]

I just discovered your channel and I really like your contract. Keep up the good work

[cesarjccs]

Can you make a video about where to take the best consultant course certification? Please.

[amazon]

Hi @strategyUn

I’m starting as a strategy consultant soon and I’m nervous. Do you have any materials or books you would recommend I read ?

[ionbusman]

Does this approach work if your leading a seminar for lower level, non executives?

[rik]

It's interesting, my experience is that some top management want the details first and then the recommendations. Perhaps it's just managing the content flow at the beginning so they know what to expect from the presentation.

[adigitalplan]

Top down management has destroyed companies. This ridiculous view that the top can see everything doesn't work for a simple reason that most of the people at the top are naive to the technology etc at the bottom and the relationship between the company and the customer.