How Leaders Lead with David Novak

#279: Eric Kutcher, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company – AI is about growth, not just productivity

How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Show Notes

“This is a once-in-a-generation technology transition.”

That’s how Eric Kutcher, Senior Partner and North America Chair at McKinsey & Company describes the AI moment we’re living through. And he should know: he’s spent 28 years coaching the world’s top companies through massive change.

In this episode, Eric breaks down the AI revolution in practical terms, dives deep into what truly makes a team great, and shares a story involving three thousand stress balls that you’ll never forget.

You’ll also learn:

What it means to work with “long term urgency”

How to identify great talent when they have zero experience

The mindset you need to bounce back from a big failure

Two ways you can drive change in your organization

Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day

Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

More from How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Oct 15, 2026

How did New Balance go from a modest “dad shoe” brand to a $10 billion global company?

Oct 8, 2026

How does a 24-year-old with no construction experience turn a remediated coal mine in rural Nova Scotia into one of the world’s top golf destinations?

Oct 1, 2026

Back in 2007, Mark Pincus had a gut feeling that adults would play games on their phones if they were just woven into their daily lives.

Sep 24, 2026

A lot of leaders brag that they’re “self made.”

Sep 17, 2026

Game 7 of the 2016 World Series had gone to extra innings. The Cubs were trying to break a 108-year championship drought that some called a curse.

See all episodes →