The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection
Hosted by Alex Rawlings, Managing Partner of Raw Selection, a specialist executive search firm. Join us as we interview the leading experts in Private Equity, unlocking their secrets of success to share with you.
Discover how some of the top Private Equity professionals got into Private Equity, how they rose to success and learn about some of the mistakes they made along the way.
Alex has strong connections to the Private Equity industry through his executive search firm, Raw Selection, which specialises in working with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies across Europe and North America. Alex is straight talking and to the point and aims to unlock real gold you can build into your firm or portfolio companies. Find out more at www.raw-selection.com
The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection
The secrets behind top PE-backed CEO’s achieving 6.2X MOIC
📍 Episode Overview:
Alex Rawlings welcomes Taavo Godtfredsen and Sam Allison, co-founders of Advantage CEO, to discuss insights from their two-year research study of over 50 private equity-backed CEOs who averaged 6.2x MOIC. They break down the habits, systems, and mindset that separate high-performing CEOs from the rest—and introduce their proven 5X CEO Model.
⏱️ Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Introductions
Taavo and Sam share their backgrounds and transition into executive coaching for PE-backed CEOs.
01:50 – Common CEO Mistakes
- Strategy gets stuck at the top
- Trying to do too much
- Holding onto average talent too long
04:30 – How Top CEOs Handle Talent
- Identify A-players for mission-critical roles
- Use litmus test: “Would I rehire this person today?”
- Design roles to be winnable, not overwhelming
09:00 – Quarterly Talent Reviews
- Simple red/yellow/green assessments
- Use of the Nine Box model for performance and potential
- Succession planning: Who’s ready now vs. in 1-2 years?
12:56 – Research Behind the 5X CEO Model
- 50+ CEOs and 25 PE leaders interviewed
- Focused on repeatable, values-based leadership
- 900+ years of combined PE experience
17:03 – The 5X CEO Model
- Strategic Clarity – Clear, compelling vision beyond EBITDA
- Scalable Talent – A-players in critical roles
- Relentless Focus – Prioritize top value drivers
- Disciplined Execution – Systems to track, adapt, and perform
- Energized Culture – Engage employees to drive growth
25:38 – Practical Tools from Top CEOs
- Reverse Executive Session for feedback
- Blank Sheet Strategy to identify disruption risks
- Using AI to detect performance issues faster
29:47 – CEOs as System Designers
- Build systems that scale, not just solve problems
- Use tech and tools to extend leadership capacity
32:14 – Recommended Resources
- The 5X CEO (Taavo & Sam)
- Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni
- MOVE – Sandy Ogg
- The Private Equity Playbook – Adam Coffey
33:09 – How to Connect with Taavo & Sam
🌐 advantageceo.com
📧 taavo@advantageceo.com
| sam@advantageceo.com
Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.
🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com
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