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Leadership in PEI

Hi everyone!

I don't know if I will sound quite silly with the question but let's go. Regarding the leadership question that might be faced during the interviews, talking about an experience as my football team captain would be fine or completely inappropriate?

My story is about how I motivated and fixed the problems of the team in the break of the finals in an important tournament.

Thanks!

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Top answer
Alberto
Coach
on Dec 30, 2023
Ex-McKinsey AP | Professional MBB Coach | +13yrs experience | +2,000 real interviews | +150 offers

Hi there,

Being asked for a leadership story you should focus on your best experience leading a team (of any size), either on a personal or professional situation. Keys here:

  • You leading style is and how you inspire the team to reach a challenging goal
  • Your teamwork skills to coordinate work and make everyone shine
  • Your ability to understand and act on team dynamics, even the personal ones (motivations, frustrations)

I hope this helps.

Alberto

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Sidi
Coach
on Jan 03, 2019
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 400+ candidates secure MBB offers

Yes, this is totally fine! If you exhibited the required qualities that McKinsey wants evidence form then this can be an excellent story! Leadership essentially means enabling the people around you to reach a common goal in the face of adversity/obstacles. This you can further break down by means of a logic tree - very similar to how you break down case problems.

Cheers, Sidi

Clara
Coach
on May 31, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

On top of the insights already shared in the post, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published in PrepLounge´s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/integrated-fit-guide-for-mbb-34)

It provides an end-to-end preparation for all three MBB interviews, tackling each firms particularities and combining key concepts review and a hands-on methodology. Following the book, the candidate will prepare his/her stories by practicing with over 50 real questions and leveraging special frameworks and worksheets that guide step-by-step, developed by the author and her experience as a Master in Management professor and coach. Finally, as further guidance, the guide encompasses over 20 examples from real candidates.

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Best,

Clara

on Jan 03, 2019
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

Not only is this fine - related properly, your story would also be very distinctive and memorable so interviewers remember you. Do it!

Deleted user
on Jul 25, 2020

Dea A,

 Your story is absolutely fine. In telling it you can follow the STAR structure. 

Also, to double check you story line, find below the questions that helps you to line your story in a right direction:

  • Tell me about a time you led others.
  • Tell me about a time when you were on a team that had a conflict that was keeping it from achieving its objective.
  • How do you motivate people?

Hope it helps,

André

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