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xviii Introduction

element later in the book. For now, we will simply say that we
think a sound decision requires a balance of both.
As we mentioned, The McKinsey Mind will focus on the cen-
tral triangle of the consulting process—problem solving, present-
ing, and managing—that constitutes the day-to-day work of a
McKinsey consulting team. In Chapters 1 through 4, we discuss
McKinsey’s fact-based, hypothesis-driven problem-solving process
and show how you can use it to tackle the complex problems that
arise in your own organization. In Chapter 5, we introduce strate-
gies for presentation that will allow you to get your ideas across
with maximum impact, whether your audience is your boss, your
board, or your entire company. Finally, in Chapters 6 through 8,
we cover the management techniques you need to ensure that your
own problem-solving efforts run smoothly. Client needs, leader-
ship, and implementation are beyond the scope of The McKinsey
Mind; they are topics for another day and, perhaps, another book.
The chapters of The McKinsey Mind follow the same general
structure. Each chapter (except Chapter 2) is divided into two or
more sections. Each section begins with a brief discussion of the
topic at hand, followed by a summary of the relevant lessons from
The McKinsey Way. Next comes a discussion of the new lessons
we learned from our alumni along with illustrations of successful
implementation, followed by suggestions for implementing these
lessons in your own organization. Each section ends with exercises
to help you understand and practice the lessons of the section.
Since the book follows the problem-solving process from start
to finish, we recommend that you read the book that way, too, at
least for the first time through. Having said that, each chapter of
The McKinsey Mind is more or less self-contained, and you can
easily treat the book as a reference on the topics that are most
interesting and relevant for you. If you lack the time or patience
to read the book from cover to cover, then we suggest at least read-