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CPO PLAYBOOK with Felicia Shakiba

WRKdefined Podcast Network
  • 4.8 (12)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

CPO PLAYBOOK isn’t your typical business podcast. Hosted by Felicia Shakiba—Korn Ferry executive coach and fixer of high-stakes people problems—we tackle the stuff that keeps founders, investors, and execs up at night. From leadership blind spots to messy M&As, scaling headaches to culture chaos—we don’t just talk about business, we solve it. Guests? Think PepsiCo, SoftBank, Harvard, Reddit, Valentino, Adidas, Stanford, and MCM Capital—aka the folks shaping global markets and billion-dollar bets. If you like your insights bold, your leadership sharper, and your strategy with a side of “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?”—hit subscribe. This is your competitive edge, one episode at a time.

  1. How Private Equity Shares Equity to Motivate Employees

    3D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    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 #EquitySharing #IncentiveEquity #PrivateEquity #Leadership #EmployeeRetention #OwnershipMindset #MotivationStrategy #OrganizationalCulture #CPOPLAYBOOK #FeliciaShakiba

    36 min
  2. Mastering M&A Culture: How 10 Companies Operate as One

    6D AGO

    Mastering M&A Culture: How 10 Companies Operate as One

    Join Tim Ringel, CEO of Meet, as he shares his unique experience of having 10 companies work together under one roof. In this insightful video, Tim reveals the challenges, benefits, and surprises that come with such an innovative setup. From collaboration and creativity to potential conflicts and logistical hurdles, Tim provides a candid look at what happens when multiple companies come together in a shared space. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about innovative work environments, this video is a must-watch. Discover the pros and cons of this unconventional approach and learn how it can impact productivity, innovation, and company culture. Tune in to find out what happens when 10 companies work under one roof and how it can inspire your own business strategies. We explore: • Why cultural integration is harder—and more important—than merging numbers • How authentic leadership builds trust and alignment post-acquisition • Why creatives need freedom to ideate and fail forward • How diversity fuels creativity and innovation in merged companies • The balance between economic reality and creative culture in M&A • What leaders can do to sustain authenticity through uncertainty Chapters 00:00 Navigating Cultural Clashes in Business 11:47 The Journey of Scaling Agencies 16:36 Merging Cultures vs. Numbers 24:25 Fostering Creativity in a Digital Age 36:19 The Importance of Authenticity and Trust Whether you’re leading a merger, scaling a business, or reimagining culture after acquisition, Tim’s insights reveal what it takes to integrate not just companies—but people. — 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

    40 min
  3. Raising Capital with Vision: $290M to See the Future

    NOV 4

    Raising Capital with Vision: $290M to See the Future

    In this episode, Roman Axelrod, founder and CEO of Xpanceo, shares the bold vision behind raising capital - $290M to create smart contact lenses designed to expand human capability. From building prototypes to leading a deep-tech team, Roman opens up about the real challenges of turning science fiction into science fact. He discusses the grit it takes to lead a company operating at the edge of innovation—and how clarity, communication, and conviction become non-negotiables in the process. We explore: • The role of storytelling in raising capital for moonshot ideas • Why prototypes matter more than PowerPoints in deep tech • How to attract world-class talent in a hyper-competitive market • What makes co-founder relationships thrive under pressure • How creativity and discipline coexist in breakthrough innovation Whether you’re a founder, investor, or future-focused leader, Roman’s journey offers powerful lessons on building what doesn’t yet exist—and getting others to believe in it. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy. Chapters 00:00 The Vision Behind Xpanceo 10:16 Challenges and Reactions to the Idea 14:14 Building a Deep Tech Company 17:22 Motivating a High-Stakes Team 21:47 The Importance of Prototypes 23:58 Recruiting Top Talent in Deep Tech 27:35 The Co-Founder Dynamic 31:14 Communication and Leadership in High-Stakes Environments 34:42 Cultivating Creativity and Vision 39:49 Looking Ahead: The Future of Xpanceo

    44 min
  4. The Journey of Leadership: Celebrating Milestones

    SEP 23 · BONUS

    The Journey of Leadership: Celebrating Milestones

    Felicia Shakiba looks back at how far the podcast has come—and sets the stage for an even bolder season ahead. In this special episode, she teases the power-packed stories coming in Season 4, spotlights what leadership really means today, and unveils new tools designed to help leaders rise, adapt, and thrive.

    5 min
  5. From Pharma to Future: How Bold Leadership Transformed Pluri

    SEP 16

    From Pharma to Future: How Bold Leadership Transformed Pluri

    In the Season 3 finale, Pluri CEO Yaky Yanay joins Felicia Shakiba for a powerful conversation on leading transformation through trust, transparency, and bold vision. He shares how he redefined Pluri’s identity—from pharma to cell-based tech innovator—while building a culture that puts people, purpose, and innovation first. A high-stakes, high-insight episode on what true leadership looks like in times of change. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Culture in Leadership 12:11 Navigating Organizational Transformation 17:53 Overcoming Resistance to Change 26:47 Building Trust Through Transparency 31:05 Expanding Vision Without Losing Focus 36:45 Advice for Leaders in Times of Change

    44 min
  6. Leaders Navigate Generative AI in Product Development

    SEP 9

    Leaders Navigate Generative AI in Product Development

    Generative AI may be rewriting the rules, but Felicia Shakiba and Claurelle Rakipovic, Chief Product Officer at Pipe, break down what real product leadership looks like. From customer empathy to AI missteps, Claurelle shares sharp lessons on building products that can actually hold their ground. Chapters 00:00 Building Defensible Products in the Age of AI 01:50 Understanding Defensibility Beyond Automation 04:30 Learning from AI Missteps 09:26 Internal Testing and AI Adoption 14:39 New Competencies for Product Leaders 19:47 The Importance of Unique Data 23:49 Empathy in AI Product Development 27:39 Auditing AI for Value Delivery

    35 min
  7. How to Navigate M&A with Effective Leadership Integrations

    SEP 2

    How to Navigate M&A with Effective Leadership Integrations

    In the world of private equity and high-stakes M&A, financials are only half the story. The real differentiator? Leadership. This episode explores what leadership qualities truly drive success in mergers and acquisitions, why most private equity due diligence efforts fall short on the people's front, and how to assess leaders before the deal is signed. Our guest is Cameron Bishop Partner and Managing Director at Raincatcher Investment Bankers. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of People in M&A Success 02:48 Cultural Missteps in Private Equity Acquisitions 05:44 Aligning Leadership Post-Acquisition 08:15 The Role of Communication in Corporate Culture 11:04 Integrating Multiple Cultures 13:37 Data-Driven Decision Making in M&A 16:06 Incentivizing Employees for Success 18:54 Identifying and Nurturing Talent 21:43 Achieving Alignment in Leadership 24:44 The Continuous Journey of Alignment

    39 min
  8. AI Transformation: When AI Takes Our Jobs

    AUG 26

    AI Transformation: When AI Takes Our Jobs

    Matt Lewis unpacks the realities of AI transformation inside organizations — and what happens when AI takes our jobs. He shares stories of employees navigating the emotional fallout of AI, the role of leadership in reducing resistance, and how identity and self-worth shape the success of change initiatives. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for guiding teams through AI-driven transformation with clarity and empathy. 00:00 Navigating Personal Challenges and Professional Growth 05:30 Real Stories of Emotional Fallout 11:42 Subtle Signs of Resistance 19:55 Communicating Change Effectively 27:32 Understanding Organizational Dynamics During Transformation 34:38 TransferMental: A New Approach to AI Transformation 40:24 Identity and Emotional Complexity in AI Disruption

    49 min
See All (90)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

CPO PLAYBOOK isn’t your typical business podcast. Hosted by Felicia Shakiba—Korn Ferry executive coach and fixer of high-stakes people problems—we tackle the stuff that keeps founders, investors, and execs up at night. From leadership blind spots to messy M&As, scaling headaches to culture chaos—we don’t just talk about business, we solve it. Guests? Think PepsiCo, SoftBank, Harvard, Reddit, Valentino, Adidas, Stanford, and MCM Capital—aka the folks shaping global markets and billion-dollar bets. If you like your insights bold, your leadership sharper, and your strategy with a side of “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?”—hit subscribe. This is your competitive edge, one episode at a time.

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