HansWerner Kaas

2 months ago | mckinsey.com | HansWerner Kaas

Frank D’Souza is well-versed in how to navigate complexity. The longtime CEO of Cognizant moved around the globe a lot as a child and credits this peripatetic upbringing with giving him the skill of versatility—as well as insights into what motivates other people.

Nov 4, 2024 | mckinsey.com | Dana Maor |HansWerner Kaas |Kurt Strovink |Ramesh Srinivasan

Showing vulnerability can build connections and trust. One place to start: create a ‘to be’ list rather than a ‘to do’ list. What does it take to be a great CEO? There are the tangible skills, of course, such as financial acumen and operational management. Then there’s a short list of traits that corporate leaders can agree are prerequisites, including confidence, resilience, and versatility.

Aug 18, 2024 | mckinsey.com | Dana Maor |Kurt Strovink |Ramesh Srinivasan |HansWerner Kaas

Some of the most innovative and creative people in history succeeded because they were versatile. They were able to master more than one discipline and then combine them to forge new ideas and inventions. Benjamin Franklin, for instance, the quintessential Renaissance man, was a writer, printer, scientist, and politician.