who is who
Who is Steve McKinney
Steve McKinney is the President and Founder of McKinney Consulting Inc., a global leadership coach, keynote speaker, and executive search expert helping organizations worldwide cultivate Proactive Agility™ and purpose-driven leadership
“Leadership isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about humanity.”
There are moments in life that quietly define a person, not through triumph but through transformation. For Steve McKinney, that defining moment came at fourteen, when a life-altering accident could have reshaped his path toward limitation. Instead, it became the catalyst for a lifelong pursuit of resilience, purpose, and leadership agility. From that early lesson in overcoming adversity emerged a philosophy that would one day evolve into his signature framework: Proactive Agility™ the art of turning uncertainty into advantage.
Resilience as the Cornerstone
Long before he became a recognized voice in global leadership circles, McKinney’s formative years were grounded in discipline, creativity, and service. A graduate of Mars Hill University in Music Education, he learned early that harmony requires collaboration a lesson that later shaped his leadership ethos. Further education at Harvard University in Leadership Coaching Strategies expanded his capacity to guide others with both analytical precision and empathy.
His journey through global footwear brands like Adidas, Reebok, and Converse spanned thirteen years and multiple markets. During this time, he led cross-functional teams, integrated new product lines, and built bridges between corporate cultures. Yet, as McKinney reflects, “The real lessons didn’t come in the boardroom — they came from the warehouse floor.”
He recalls one defining moment during a supply chain crisis that left thousands of Adidas shoes stranded at Korean customs. Instead of delegating, he spent nights beside the logistics team, listening, learning, and co-creating solutions.
“Those unplanned moments — rolling up sleeves and working alongside your team — shape how you lead for years to come.”
That experience taught him the value of frontline empathy and servant leadership — principles that became the backbone of his consulting philosophy.
From Executive to Entrepreneurial Visionary
In 2001, McKinney took a bold step by founding McKinney Consulting Inc. in Seoul, South Korea. What began as an executive search firm soon evolved into a multi-disciplinary organization providing leadership coaching, HR consulting, and M&A advisory services to clients around the world.
Guided by his philosophy of Proactive Agility™, McKinney helps organizations anticipate change, not react to it. He often tells executives,
“The most common mistake C-suite leaders make when trying to instill Proactive Agility™ is assuming it’s a process to be managed, rather than a mindset to be modeled.”
He reminds leaders that sustainable transformation begins at the top. “If leaders aren’t openly learning and adapting, their teams won’t either.”
Under McKinney’s leadership, McKinney Consulting joined Kestria, the world’s largest alliance of boutique executive search firms, representing South Korea. The firm’s reach now spans over 40 countries and serves clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 giants. His election to the Asia Pacific Council of the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) further solidified his influence on global leadership standards.
As Mike Goonewardene, CEO and Board Director, observed,
“For anyone interested in building high-performance teams in Asia, Steve is invaluable. He’s not just a consultant — he becomes part of your team.”
Building Cultures of Readiness
Over two decades, McKinney has become known as a catalyst for leadership transformation. His coaching has guided over 200 start-up CEOs and countless executives in developing self-awareness, communication clarity, and resilience under pressure.
“Real agility means turning uncertainty into advantage before problems hit.”
In his coaching practice, he has seen transformation firsthand — from a reserved marketer in Tokyo who found her confidence, to a Korean manager who learned that leadership begins with listening.
“Coaching doesn’t hand out information; it builds transformation,” McKinney says.
His impact extends into communities as well. As Co-Founder of the Korea Business Leaders Alliance (KBLA), McKinney united expat and local executives through events that fostered genuine dialogue and shared innovation. Craig Borkowski, CEO of Momentive Performance Materials, commended this vision:
“Steve worked tirelessly to bring together expat and local leaders in Korea. KBLA offered something truly rare — community, insight, and belonging.”
He also led the Seoul Global Center, supporting foreign entrepreneurs in launching new ventures. As one founder recalled, “He put his heart and soul into mentoring start-ups. Thanks to him, our company took off faster than we imagined.”
The Global Mindset
Now recognized internationally for his thought leadership, McKinney challenges how organizations perceive global collaboration. As he prepares to release his upcoming book, Global Mindset: A Guide for Cross-Cultural Leadership (Q4 2025), he highlights a crucial insight:
“True global success isn’t about memorizing etiquette; it’s about finding shared purpose beneath surface differences.”
He argues that too many teams overemphasize “cultural awareness” while neglecting trust — the real currency of collaboration. His approach emphasizes structured dialogue, humility, and psychological safety:
“Teams that can safely disagree are the ones that truly innovate.”
Through his speaking engagements and Proactive Agility™ workshops, McKinney urges leaders to bridge divides with purpose. His insights have been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Business Insider, SUCCESS, Yahoo Finance, and MSN, where his voice continues to influence the evolution of executive leadership worldwide.
Leading Through Listening
If there’s one message McKinney hopes readers take away from his journey, it’s this:
“Real agility starts with listening courageously.”
He encourages every leader to have one meaningful 1:1 conversation each week — ideally with someone outside their usual circle — and ask, “What’s one thing we should be doing differently to enable success in uncertain times?”
As David Rodrigo Fernández Esquivel of the Virtual Advisory Board notes, “Steve’s dedication to connecting people and elevating leaders is unmatched. When you meet him, you feel his authenticity — it’s rare and refreshing.”
Across continents and industries, McKinney has proven that leadership is not about control — it’s about connection. His career exemplifies that agility is not a process to manage, but a way to live.
Call to Action
Steve McKinney’s story is one of transformation from overcoming personal adversity to redefining global leadership for the modern age. His philosophy of Proactive Agility™ challenges every organization to see uncertainty not as a threat, but as a catalyst for innovation and growth.
For executives ready to future-proof their organizations, develop agile leadership cultures, or invite McKinney for a keynote, visit stevemckinney.com or mckinneyconsulting.com.
