McKinsey careers: How do I become a McKinsey Principal

We recently had a coaching session with a client who could become a #McKinsey Principal in about 12 to 24 months. He is currently a McKinsey Associate Principal and has been a long-time client of FIRMSconsulting.

He joined our #caseinterview coaching program when he was at Harvard completing an #MBA and we helped him join McKinsey as an associate. This is our 7th year of coaching him and he is a wonderful young man.

In this podcast, we are going to summarize some critical advice we offered him, and other McKinsey Principal-level coaching clients, about moving from associate principal to becoming a McKinsey Principal and, thereafter, McKinsey Director.

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[josemariaperalta]

One of the things the things to appreciate about Firms Consulting are their deep insights on what they are talking about. I would have though that in order to become partner, you should be the best at solving problems and leading teams, however the key ability to become partner is the ability to sell work. Thanks!

[Mithaerian]

It remembered me about the "culture" of a firm. Understanding its incentives can make you be promoted. It is really interesting how you went deep to explain those incentives. I thought that to be a partner you needed to sell, you needed to go out there and find clients to the firm, I never thought like you did. Thanks again, Michael, for opening my mind to see new aspects of incentives inside an organization, especially a consulting firm.

[ashishp]

Brilliant, FC episodes always focus on helping us understand the hidden unknowns, which are never taught in schools or universities!

[fluorine]

that's how it works. Thank for sharing this insight to general public because people hardly talk about how promotion/incentive works, in industry, even less than in professional services firms. What I normally get is internal information that someone get promoted but never they mention underlying reasons. Thanks again, FC!

[firmsconsulting]

Hi everyone! Hope you will enjoy "McKinsey careers: how do I become a McKinsey principal" episode. Let us know what you think.

[jeeves]

While this is not an immediate goal for me at the moment, I found this episode really interesting and insightful. Love the way Michael uncovers the myths and perceptions around realities. Thanks.

[Lucas-govu]

Wow...nice to see people so well prepared to their career paths!

[Samuel-bwhg]

Thanks Micheal for debunking many of the myths on how to become a Mckinsey PI think it is pretty important for young consultants to understand these myths, so they can equally maximize opportunities that bring them closer to learning how to incorporate the soft skills that can make them equity partners.

[adeeladeel]

Sounds like a lot of ass kissing is required so your working under the senior partners. I guess it’s ingrained in ppl’s minds in consulting that it’s safer to be a technical resource under a safe pair of hands even if your partner