From pursuing handball at a high level to leading teams and board meetings at McKinsey and, ultimately, finding his niche as a family office advisor & investor, this is the story of Kilian Graulich.
In this episode, John and Konsti sit down with Kilian to explore how his athletic upbringing instilled resilience and a learning mindset, the unconventional CV strategy that earned him a coveted role at McKinsey despite “average” grades, how he leveraged free, value-adding advice to build credibility in the opaque world of family offices, and his vision for scaling both his investment business and a community of family offices.
Key Takeaways and highlights:
Athletic Resilience as a Foundation for Business: Kilian’s early ambition to play professional handball taught him how to rebound from setbacks, collaborate under pressure, and stay grounded when facing high-stakes moments. These are all skills that have helped him progress in his professional career.
Standing Out Beyond Grades: Rather than chasing perfect grades, Kilian focused on the other two components that management consulting firms value highly, extracurricular activities and hands-on internships. By excelling in student consulting projects and serving on sports committees, he crafted a compelling story that secured a full-time offer at McKinsey, despite not having the best grades.
Navigating McKinsey’s “Invisible” Gatekeepers: Early on in his career, Kilian realized that high performance alone wasn’t enough. He also needed senior partners’ sponsorship to increase his “luck surface area”. By showcasing his project results in the right forums and demonstrating how he added value, he accelerated his promotion track.
Building a Trust-Based Network with a “Give First” Mindset: Kilian mapped his target group (single-family offices), identified key opinion leaders, and consistently introduced value, whether through investment insights or peer connections. He believes in “giving first”, insisting on only being paid if he actually delivers value.
Character Traits That Matter: Kilian values authenticity above all. His ability to “call it like he sees it” makes even complex family-office discussions feel grounded and collaborative.
Balancing Ambition with Reflection: While it’s important to have high ambitions, relentless forward focus can blind you to how far you’ve come. By periodically pausing to acknowledge his achievements, Kilian regains perspective and avoids burnout — a valuable reminder for anyone chasing big goals.
Enjoy the show!
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