Leaders are being asked to move fast and make big decisions with unprecedented frequency. Carrying them out and creating change that matters will rely heavily on capabilities.<\/p>\n
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McKinsey CAPABILITY BUILDING<\/a><\/p>\n Getting a transformation right under normal business conditions is hard to do. In fact, according to our research, about\u00a070 percent<\/a>\u00a0of transformations fail. But right now it\u2019s perhaps even harder\u2014and more critical\u2014than ever.<\/p>\n In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, leaders are being asked to move fast and make big decisions with unprecedented frequency. Carrying out those decisions, and creating change that matters, will rely heavily on the capabilities of their people.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to have a great strategy,\u201d says\u00a0Jon Garcia<\/a>, a McKinsey senior partner, \u201cbut you need to have people with the right skills and capabilities driving the change for it to work\u2014especially while being remote.\u201d<\/p>\n To help organizations do that, we\u2019ve developed a new digital capability-building program focused on helping organizations during COVID-19. Adapted from our aptly named \u201cAbility to Execute\u201d platform, which is typically used within large-scale transformations, the\u00a0COVID Response Edition<\/a>\u00a0of the platform helps build the skills needed to create change quickly\u2014and remotely.<\/p>\n Designed by\u00a0Transformation<\/a>\u00a0consultants and\u00a0McKinsey Academy<\/a>\u00a0learning specialists, the Ability to Execute platform is based on the latest adult-learning knowledge and practices. Each program combines online experiences and facilitated workshops and simulations to help employees improve the way they work, focusing on the skills and mindsets that matter most.<\/p>\n The new COVID Response Edition is designed to help companies quickly build employees\u2019 skills to navigate this crisis. Over the course of three weeks, participants focus on mindsets and behaviors that drive performance, leadership in a crisis, and great remote working.<\/p>\n \u201cOrganizations are dealing with both urgent business and safety needs, and they\u2019re also looking for ways to invest in their people,\u201d says\u00a0Michael Park<\/a>, a McKinsey senior partner who is co-leading the Covid Response Edition with Jon. \u201cOur hope is this program offers another opportunity to support employees\u2019 growth.\u201d<\/p>\n The original Ability to Execute platform has been deployed to over 235,000 employees across more than 80 organizations globally, helping leaders across around the world sustain transformational change.<\/p>\n Long before the coronavirus outbreak, for example, an advanced-industries company with more than 100,000 employees across 150 countries needed a scalable way to improve the way it functioned at a foundational level. A one-time project designed for the executive team alone wouldn\u2019t be enough.<\/p>\n Over the course of a year, the organization rolled out an Ability to Execute platform in eight languages to more than 40,000 of its people. Through interactive simulations, videos and quizzes, and expert guidance informed by behavioral science, participants were asked to think deeply about their roles, provide meaningful feedback, and change their everyday behaviors.<\/p>\n “The COVID-19 environment has only exacerbated what\u2019s needed for any transformation: translating common sense into common behavior to get uncommon impact.”<\/p>\n Liz McNally, McKinsey partner<\/cite><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This introduced an entirely new framework and common language that has helped change the company\u2019s corporate culture. Meetings, for example, have been shortened to 30 minutes where possible with clear agendas and action items. The concept of pre-mortems\u2014where colleagues identify risks and anticipate problems before a project begins and develop plans to prevent or reduce potential negative impact\u2014has been embedded in employees\u2019 ways of working.<\/p>\n