In mid-market private equity deals, the right CEO or executive team can be the single most important driver of value creation.
From the outset of an acquisition, assessing these leadership traits is critical for PE-backed companies. These are the capabilities that endure throughout the hold period and ultimately drive operational performance, multiple expansion, and exit value.
The Top 3 Leadership Traits & Skills PE Leaders Need, By Function
Through our partnerships with leading PE funds, we’ve identified the critical leadership traits that drive exit value in Finance, GTM, Engineering/Tech, and HR/People teams.
Keep in mind: Every company is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all playbook. This guide is meant as a framework to help think critically about leadership and value creation, but specifics will vary based on size, stage, exit strategy, and strategic priorities.
Finance Leadership
Transparency & Adaptability
Can shift gears between environments (founder-led, PE-backed, public-style rigor) without clinging to “how we’ve always done it,” installing the right level of process, reporting discipline, and financial visibility.
“More Than Finance”
Acts as COO-lite, connecting P&L insight with operational execution, technology leverage, talent development, ESG, and strategic initiatives to unlock growth and margin expansion.
M&A Experience With Integration
Not just proximity to deals, but proven buy-side M&A leadership with a focus on integration. Hands-on experience across the transaction lifecycle with ability to build and defend the data room, support negotiations, and navigate buyer scrutiny.
Go-To-Market Leadership
Cross-Functional Value Alignment
Aligns sales, marketing, and customer success plans with finance, product, and operations so GTM decisions have predictable EBITDA impact.
Value Driver Alignment
Translates data into predictable revenue growth, clearly linking pipeline, conversion, pricing, and customer acquisition metrics to valuation drivers.
Hits Their Mark, Repeatedly
Has a proven track record of consistently meeting revenue goals across cycles (not just in favorable conditions) with a repeatable approach to forecasting accuracy.
Engineering & Technology Leadership
Business-Aligned Tech Storytelling
Frames technical initiatives through a business lens, driving alignment across the org to drive revenue growth and value creation.
AI-Forward, Not AI-Complacent
Moves beyond surface-level acceptance of AI. Brings a deliberate, informed perspective on where AI drives value creation and uses it to influence direction, priorities, and outcomes... even when AI is not the core product.
Diligence-Ready by Design
Runs engineering, security, data governance, and infrastructure with documentation, process discipline, and visibility that can withstand technical diligence.
HR & People Leadership
Performance Driver, With Teeth
Implements clear standards and differentiation — not just engagement surveys. Shows buyers that underperformance is addressed, high performers are retained, and compensation aligns with outcomes.
Integration & Transformation Agility
A sponge for change. Expertise in rapidly integrating teams post-acquisition or during restructuring and leads fast, low-disruption integration of talent, culture, and systems.
Succession-Minded
Never leaves leadership up to chance. Anticipates leadership risk early and acts decisively to develop successors, creating continuity that inspires confidence through growth and transition.
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Your Turn: Leadership Considerations by Exit Path
“If our next exit path is a [Sponsor-to-Sponsor / Strategic] outcome, leadership must demonstrate/evidence [repeatable EBITDA growth / institutional rigor / insert other key differentiators].
Today, [Leader Name or Role] brings strong capability in [current strength], but we need to see continued development in [critical capability or leadership gap] to fully support the outcome.”
Hiring Leadership that Can Do More Than Just "Run the Business"?
If you’re looking for this kind of leadership, get in touch to see how our AI-driven search, unmatched network access, and deep PE expertise can identify the right executive for your business.
