
McKinsey wanted to document how the top-performing companies in America differed from other firms in the way they handle matters like hiring and promotion. Eighteen companies were singled out for special attention, and the consultants spent up to three days at each firm, interviewing everyone from the C.E.O. Thousands of questionnaires were sent to managers across the country. Illustration by Jules Feifferįive years ago, several executives at McKinsey & Company, America’s largest and most prestigious management-consulting firm, launched what they called the War for Talent.

The current corporate dogma encourages star employees to make their own rules.
