Strategy Simplified

S18E7: No, McKinsey Didn’t Just Lay Off 10% Of Its Staff (May 28, 2025)

Management Consulted Season 18 Episode 7

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You may have seen the headlines: “McKinsey lays off 10% of its staff.” But is that really what happened? 

In this episode, we unpack the viral Financial Times story and cut through the hype to uncover what’s actually going on inside McKinsey.

We explore:

  • Why the 10% figure is misleading
  • How voluntary attrition, tighter performance standards, and AI-driven efficiencies are reshaping the firm
  • What this all says about the evolving consulting landscape

Forget the clickbait. This is the real story behind McKinsey’s transformation - and what it signals for the industry’s future.

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