logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2025
28m 8s

261. Retired US Navy Admiral Eric Olson:...

McKinsey & Company
About this episode

In this episode, we speak with Eric Olson, a retired US Navy Admiral with a distinguished career in special operations, about the key principles of effective leadership, particularly in times of uncertainty. Eric shares insights from his experiences leading high-performing teams and organizations through complex challenges, offering valuable leadership lessons for executives in today's rapidly changing business landscape. 

Related insights:

A CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership

CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets that Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest

The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs learn to lead from the inside out

Trusted advice for effective leadership

The CEO as chief resilience officer

The Strategic CEO newsletter

McKinsey Insights on Strategy & Corporate Finance 

McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance on LinkedIn 

 

Support the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/

See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Up next
Nov 14
277. The new boardroom dynamic: More conversations, transparency, and trust
In this episode of Inside the Strategy Room, we discuss how the board’s relationship with management is evolving in an era of heightened uncertainty and rapid change. We are joined by board directors Susan Chapman-Hughes and Lan Kang, as well as McKinsey’s Board Services leader F ... Show More
38m 45s
Nov 6
276. From strategy to performance: Building a new operating model for a new world
To successfully execute a strategy, organizations must make deliberate choices about their operating model. In this episode, Julie Goran and Dickie Steele, both partners based in New York, discuss the key elements that comprise an operating model and how leaders can design and im ... Show More
34m 29s
Oct 31
275. M&A update: Dealmaking is higher, despite volatility
After several years of slowed activity, mergers and acquisitions picked up in the first half of 2025, as disciplined dealmakers reentered the market despite continued uncertainty. In this episode, three McKinsey M&A experts share their recent analysis of global dealmaking, explor ... Show More
46m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2022
Evolution of leadership: How do you handle uncertain times?
Everything we are responding to in the market brings us to our topic today. In this special episode of PwC Pulse, we'll discuss how leadership has evolved over recent years, what it means to be a leader in a time of increased geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and how it ... Show More
22m 8s
Dec 2024
166-The Leadership Crisis CEOs Don’t See Coming with Dave Ulrich
<p>Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today!</p> <p>👉 Download Now - <a href='https://bit.ly/10-fullproof-ceo-strategies'>https://bit.ly/10-fullproof-ceo-strategies</a></p> <p>------------------- ... Show More
45m 17s
Jun 2023
Leadership: Refocusing on the fundamentals
After a tumultuous few years, business leaders are now focused on growth to survive. From people to technology, they are applying the lessons learned as they navigate through the headwinds of today’s environment. In this episode, Tim Ryan, PwC’s US Chair and Senior Partner, is jo ... Show More
22m 29s
Oct 2024
The Chief of Staff: A CEO’s Secret Weapon
Judith Wallenstein, leader of BCG’s CEO Advisory, explains how chiefs of staff help CEO’s succeed and identify the characteristics that matter most in this role. The best chiefs of staff have integrity, confidence, and a selfless commitment to their boss —becoming part of a CEO’s ... Show More
20m 25s
Jun 2025
Who Wants to Be a CEO?
The role of the CEO is both powerful and punishing. Christine Barton, BCG’s CEO Advisory lead in North America, explores how to make the job more fulfilling. It starts with clarity of purpose, building the right leadership team, and minimizing activities that are time and energy ... Show More
24m 38s
Jul 2025
The Right Way to Step Down as CEO
When news breaks of a CEO succession, much of the attention is given to the new leader and how they will change the company. But new research shows that the leave-taking process of the outgoing chief executive is often mishandled, with negative impacts on succession and the organ ... Show More
28m 43s
Jan 2025
How to Get Leadership Succession Right
When Jason Buechel became CEO of Whole Foods in 2022, he faced the challenge of succeeding cofounder John Mackey, who led the company for over 40 years. This leadership transition was not only a personal challenge for Buechel but also a significant shift for the entire organizati ... Show More
31m 59s
Sep 2024
Leading from the inside-out: Why CEOs must make time for self-reflection
The greatest CEOs are necessarily driven, decisive, and confident. But McKinsey senior partner Ramesh Srinivasan, senior partner emeritus Hans-Werner Kaas, and coauthors of their new book, The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Can Learn to Lead from the Inside Out, say CEOs must we ... Show More
17m 41s
Oct 3
Executive Influence: How to Get to ‘Yes’
In this episode of People + Strategy, hear Brad Winn’s hard-won lessons on executive influence and the messy realities of organizational politics. Winn is a professor of leadership and strategy in the Huntsman School of Business, executive MBA director at Utah State University, a ... Show More
29m 57s
Jun 2025
Navigating Turbulence: The Evolution of Leadership with Blair LaCorte
Anthony Taylor interviews Blair LaCorte, a seasoned CEO with extensive experience in private equity and aviation. They discuss Blair's journey, particularly his time at XOJet, where he transformed a struggling airline into a successful business through innovative strategies and a ... Show More
20m 35s