A common misinterpretation I’ve seen from candidates is: “I’ve never served in a leadership role—I'm just a junior in college, how can I have any experience for this?”
Not sure if this is your struggle, but in my experience this is exactly why the Leadership PEI question often feels intimidating.
The key is to broaden your definition of leadership.
McKinsey isn’t only looking for people who had a formal title like “President of X Club.” What they really want to understand is:
- How do you work effectively with people from different backgrounds?
- How do you empower and motivate others?
- How do you drive a group toward an outcome that would not have been possible without your contribution?
Most of the time, this happens without having any authority. And when you think from that angle, a lot of stories that seem “small” actually become very powerful.
Examples of where to find leadership stories:
- Class or group projects: Did you notice your team was stuck and you took the initiative to structure the work, mediate conflicts, or motivate your teammates to finish strong?
- Internships: Maybe you onboarded new interns, created a process that helped your team work more smoothly, or convinced your manager to adopt your idea and rallied peers to make it happen.
- Clubs and student organizations: Even if you weren’t the president, did you step up to organize an event, run logistics, or persuade people to participate?
- Volunteering/community work: Did you inspire others to join a cause, coordinate schedules, or encourage someone who was struggling to keep going?
- Sports or hobbies: Did you guide your teammates, motivate them during tough games, or lead by example through persistence and resilience?
The essence of leadership is not about having a title—it’s about showing that you can influence, inspire, and move others forward.
