Rita McGrath is a globally recognised expert on strategy and innovation, ranked among the world’s top 10 management thinkers. A Columbia Business School professor and acclaimed author, she helps leaders anticipate inflection points, seize opportunities, and adapt for sustained success in fast-changing environments.
Rita McGrath is one of the world’s foremost voices on strategy, innovation and organisational change. Ranked consistently in the Thinkers50 global top 10 and winner of its #1 Strategy Award, she has earned international acclaim for helping organisations anticipate inflection points, reinvent themselves, and thrive in times of disruption.
As a long-standing faculty member at Columbia Business School, Rita teaches the renowned Leading Strategic Growth and Change programme and directs a range of custom leadership experiences for major organisations. She is also active in Columbia’s Think Bigger Innovation Hub, supporting leaders to adopt new approaches to growth and reinvention.
She is the author of five influential books, including the best-selling The End of Competitive Advantage and Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen. Her pioneering work on discovery-driven growth has shaped corporate strategy globally, with the late Clayton Christensen describing it as among the most important ideas in management.
In addition to her academic contributions, Rita is a trusted strategic advisor to Fortune 500 companies, guiding senior executives as they navigate change, foster innovation, and build resilient organisations.
Rita is known for her energy, storytelling, and ability to make complex ideas accessible. Blending research, case studies and humour, she delivers engaging keynotes that challenge assumptions and inspire leaders to think differently. Audiences leave with practical tools for spotting opportunities, mitigating risks, and unlocking growth in uncertain markets.
Her regular podcast and newsletter, Thought Sparks, extend her influence by sparking conversations with leading thinkers, authors, and business leaders.
Rita has received numerous accolades for her scholarship and impact, including:
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