The Strategy Skills Podcast: Management Consulting | Strategy, Operations & Implementation | Critical Thinking

Adam Job, Senior Director at the BCG Institute and leader of its strategy research, offers a clear-eyed examination of growth, uncertainty, and value creation in today's business environment. Drawing on long-term empirical research, he explains why growth remains the primary driver of value over time, while also outlining why it has become structurally harder to achieve amid geopolitical tension, demographic shifts, affordability pressures, and changing political priorities. The discussion moves beyond slogans and focuses on decision-making under uncertainty. Job explains that politically driven risk differs from other forms of uncertainty because corporate responses can amplify consequences, both economically and reputationally. He introduces a small set of strategic postures, making a bet, defending the core, waiting while preparing contingencies, or building a portfolio of options, and explains when each is appropriate. Key insights from the conversation include: Over long horizons, roughly three-quarter