02-20-2025
The US government demanded a return to “merit-based opportunity” across all businesses. In a February 3 memo, McKinsey & Co’s managing partner seemingly responded to questions about its diversity policies in light of the government’s pushback on diversity attempts. He said, “The answer is yes. We will continue to boldly pursue [diversity and meritocracy] because these two things together” make the organization stand out and have defined it for “nearly 100 years.” McKinsey uses “diverse meritocracy” to describe its culture, highlighting that it simultaneously prioritizes diversity and hiring the best. While some classify McKinsey’s response as defiant, the partner’s language was careful. It does contrast with the absolute reversal of diversity efforts by other companies, including Google, Meta, Amazon, Deloitte US, and Goldman Sachs. Goldman dropped its previous pledge to refuse initial public offering business to companies with all White male boards.
Part of how McKinsey takes steps to create its meritocracy is by expanding its candidate base, something that is unlikely to be subject to legal challenges. The company devised its own video game to assess a candidate’s cognitive ability, asserting it gives “insight beyond the résumé or conventional interview.” It has expanded its college recruitment from 700 to about 1,500, pivoting from “pedigree to potential.” It published an interview prep website “so exceptional candidates from any source can succeed in [its] interviews.” Bank of America and Goldman Sachs are also undertaking action to expand where they draw candidates from.
A McKinsey spokesperson told the press that it was not worried that its pursuit of both diversity and meritocracy would cause legal problems. It did state that it “will continue to follow the law in the US and other countries” where it operates.