How to Talk like an Alpha

a short list of phrases I've picked up in 7 weeks at McKinsey

The McKinsey intern experience is all about building your Business Analyst (BA) toolkit: excel, powerpoint, and most importantly communication.

Client management is just as much about how you present information as the information you present, and the same mindset applies to your workplace conduct.

Let’s be honest, as interns we’re fundamentally betas…but that doesn’t mean we have to speak like it. Time to

Here are some mutually exclusive (but not collectively exhaustive) #ALPHA phrases I’ve picked up in the last 7 weeks:

Sorry, I’m late = Thanks for your patience, team

I don’t know (especially in response to a question) = Well, it depends…

I do excel all day = This summer, I’m honing in my analytical problem solving skills

I’m confused = To clarify…

I need a break = I’m going to get a coffee. Can I get you anything?

So, what am I supposed to do? = My tactical next steps as I see it are…Anything else I’m forgetting?

I need help = Can we set up a problem solving session (PS)?

When you’re not sure what to say in a meeting but want to sound engaged = Have you thought about…?

I have a problem/struggling/don’t know what to do. = I’ve run into a bottleneck.

When you’re asked about your progress…but haven’t made any = I’m currently aligning my priorities to ensure we meet our deliverables.

In all seriousness, management consulting has taught me a lot about professionalism which fundamentally starts with the way we speak and present ourselves. And as you incorporate alpha terms into your workplace vocabulary, consider the following: the best interns are willing to do the nitty, gritty, beta work and present it in an alpha way.

Godspeed fellow interns.

—DG