What the Best Private Equity-Backed CEOs Do Differently

by Samantha Allison, Taavo Godtfredsen and Nada Hashmi

April 9, 2026

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Summary.

Private equity-backed companies operate against an unforgiving clock. CEOs are expected to create significant value in compressed timeframes, meet aggressive growth targets, and navigate a minefield of internal and external pressures. Yet despite exhaustive vetting, significant financial incentives, and deep leadership experience, more than 50% of CEOs fail to meet expectations and are replaced during the investment period.

Samantha Allison is the coauthor of The 5x CEO, cofounder of AdvantageCEO, and a board advisor and executive coach to private equity–backed CEOs and leadership teams. She works with executives to accelerate performance, scale leadership, and unlock enterprise value, drawing on more than 25 years of leadership experience, including roles as a senior executive at GE.

Taavo Godtfredsen is the coauthor of The 5x CEO and cofounder of AdvantageCEO, where he advises private equity investors and portfolio company CEOs. A former business owner with a successful exit, he is a member of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches organization and holds multiple coaching certifications, including in executive and team coaching.

Nada Hashmi is an assistant professor of information technology at Babson College. Her research examines how technology—including AI and digital collaboration tools—shapes leadership, collective intelligence, and team performance in organizations.

Read more on Private equity or related topics Leadership, Organizational culture, Business management and Organizational change

What the Best Private Equity-Backed CEOs Do Differently

Summary.

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