Women CEOs, metabolic health, the latest Global Private Markets Report, and more: The Weekend Read

CURATED PICKS FOR YOUR DOWNTIME, FROM OUR EDITORS

Icon headshots of Alex Panas and Axel Karlsson

Brought to you by Alex Panas, global leader of industries, & Axel Karlsson, global leader of functional practices and growth platforms

Welcome to the latest edition of The Weekend Read. We hope you find our perspectives useful. Let us know what you think at Alex_Panas@McKinsey.com and Axel_Karlsson@McKinsey.com.

—Alex and Axel

Memorial Day weekend—the unofficial start of summer—is coming up in the US. Take a breather this long weekend and dive into insights on women CEOs, metabolic health, the latest Global Private Markets Report, and more.

A mature businesswoman in a green blazer and glasses is speaking confidently while gesturing with her hands during a boardroom meeting.

In today’s disruptive world, leadership is not only about the business-related tasks that get results. CEOs also need human-centric attributes including being self-aware, humble, and resilient. Aalia Ratani , Carolyn Dewar , and Johanne Lavoie explain how some women CEOs harness these strengths to meet the challenges of the role.

Shifts to consider

Three smiling friends, who are slightly heavyset, are climbing a grassy hill. One friend is assisting the other to stand up from a sitting position. The view from the top of the hill offers a peaceful ocean scene bathed in golden sunlight.

McKinsey Health Institute estimates that obesity will be linked to $2.76 trillion in lost gross domestic product in 2050 due to its effects on labor force participation and productivity. Drew Ungerman , Hemant Ahlawat , and coauthors explore a vision that prioritizes prevention, societal shifts, and metabolic health for all.

Explore groundbreaking treatments

An image linking to the web page “Global Private Markets Report 2025: Braced for shifting weather” on McKinsey.com.

Global private markets navigated uncertain conditions in 2024, leading to an uneven recovery across different asset classes. Alexander Edlich , Christopher Croke, Fredrik Dahlqvist , and Warren Teichner analyze how private equity, real estate, private debt, and infrastructure fared last year, and give perspective on the three pressing issues that cut across asset classes.

See the 92-page report

The flow of data across a connected world.

European technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) companies are grappling with a stark decline in market capitalization, and there’s an urgent need for renewal to sustain economic competitiveness. New McKinsey research by Ruben Schaubroeck , Davide Schiavotto , and coauthors suggests that the next wave of technological change and digital disruption could lead to a genuine European TMT turnaround.

Chart a comeback

Ready to unwind?

—Edited by Joyce Yoo, editor, New York

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What are GLP-1 medications?

The logistics of leadership: An interview with Alan Beacham

64-Across: Refrain from doing something due to lack of nerve