How to ace leadership PEI McKinsey?

Hey there :)

For the leadership PEI, the key is to go very concrete: pick one strong story where you actually led others through resistance or ambiguity, not just where you were a high performer yourself. McKinsey wants to see how you set direction, motivated people, resolved conflicts, and drove impact. Structure it clearly (context → challenge → your actions → measurable outcome), and emphasize your thought process as well as how others responded to you. Depth matters more than breadth, so stick to one story and go into detail.

If you’d like, feel free to reach out and I can help you sharpen your story and practice delivery.

best,
Alessa :)

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.

To ace the PEI, you should focus on:

1. Story choice: Pick an example where you led people, influenced without authority, or resolved conflict, not just an individual achievement. 

2. Structure & depth: Use STAR to keep the story clear, but be ready to go really deep into details, such as what did you say, what did he/she say, etc. McKinsey will probe your decisions, actions, and reasoning for 10+ minutes.

3. Traits to show: Highlight influence, resilience, and empathy. Leadership at McKinsey is about motivating and guiding others under pressure.

4. Engaging: Keep the discussion conversational and engaging so that the Partner doesn't get bored and zone out. This happens more often than not because they have heard similar answers so many times.

You should practice out loud until you can deliver your story with clarity and confidence.

Hi,

- Stories that showcase you convincing people of doing something they resist at first.

Focus on the decision making rational and the actions taken for 70% of your time.

There is plenty good free materials online, but if you really need to nail it in a short amount of time, there are several former McKinsey consultants here that can acceleate this process.

Best,

Mari