What happens if a client sells addictive products known to cause death, or denies immigrants compassionate treatment, or supports corrupt and undemocratic governments? These are not hypothetical questions. In each case, McKinsey had a choice and sided with the clients. “If you want to do ethical work, if that’s a priority, then you have to be willing to turn down profitable opportunities. It was never clear to me that McKinsey was ever willing to do that,” Rosenthal said.
