Do consultants make good CEOs?

By on January 27 2026
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What AI thinks a consultant looks like

Big Three consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, and Bain) are known to be "CEO factories." Today, 36 of the top 500 U.S. companies are led by their ex-consultants—about 50% more than a few years ago.

While some leaders have struggled (Starbucks & Nike), data shows that companies run by former consultants generally perform better. Since 2010, firms run by ex-consultants saw a 677% return for shareholders, beating the S&P500 average of 584%.

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A line graph comparing average performance of companies on the S&P500 versus those led by ex-consultants

 

McKinsey alumni have been the most successful, leading more companies and achieving the highest growth. It seems the fast-paced, problem-solving training these consultants receive prepares them well for the challenges of the corner office.

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Describe the chart to your teacher. Explain your conclusions.
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