88 How Private Equity Shares Equity to Motivate Employees?

When private equity enters the picture, alignment becomes everything. But how do you keep employees motivated through uncertainty? Start with equity. Former private equity backed CEO Adam Coffey explains how incentive equity—not just stock options—can drive performance, increase retention, and turn employees into value creators. Whether you’re leading through a merger, scaling a business, or navigating cultural change, equity can be your secret weapon—if you structure it right. You’ll learn: • Why equity is more powerful than bonuses • How to design incentive plans that actually motivate • The biggest mistakes leaders make when sharing equity • What PE firms get right—and wrong—about employee alignment • Why culture, transparency, and communication still matter most This is your blueprint for using equity to fuel engagement, ownership, and long-term success—especially in high-stakes environments like private equity. Chapters: 00:00 The Challenge of Alignment in Private Equity 11:24 Cultural Missteps and Leadership Alignment 18:52 Incentivizing Employees for Success 25:49 Navigating Challenges and Maintaining Alignment 31:28 The Role of Communication in Leadership — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us