Adam Coffey, Author of the Private Equity Playbook, on Navigating the Stages of Growth for Sustainable Success

Supermanagers

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Coffey, a seasoned CEO with over 21 years of experience leading private-equity-backed service companies. Adam shares his journey from his military career to becoming a leader in the private equity world, where he has overseen 58 acquisitions and facilitated billions of dollars in successful exits.

In episode 15 of season 2, Adam delves into the critical lessons he's learned about leadership, including the importance of building a strong culture and being transparent as a leader. He discusses the concept of the 'Happy Meal effect' in startups and how it applies to scaling companies effectively. Adam also emphasizes the need for leaders to adapt to different stages of growth and highlights the value of ongoing learning and self-improvement.

You’ll gain insights into navigating different growth stages, the importance of hiring and empowering great people, and the role of a CEO in inspiring and leading a team. Adam's practical advice on performance management and building a transparent culture offers actionable strategies for leaders looking to enhance their organizations.

You’ll find this episode valuable if you're looking to elevate your leadership skills, build high-performing companies, and motivate your team.

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TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[00:46] Adam Coffey’s books

[04:56] Lessons from the military and General Electric (GE) on leadership and discipline

[06:52] Transitioning from CEO roles to consulting and teaching

[09:30] Defining the role of a CEO and the importance of company culture

[12:14] The 'Happy Meal effect' in startups and growth companies

[17:45] The importance of employee engagement and performance management

[28:38] Transparency in leadership and making tough decisions

[32:41] Building a strong company culture and engaging employees

👉 Check out the resources mentioned here: https://fellow.app/supermanagers/adam-coffey

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Connect with Adam on LinkedIn
• Read Adam’s book The Private Equity Playbook
• Read Adam’s book The Exit Strategy Playbook
• Read Adam’s book Empire Builder: The Road to a Billion
• Join the Supermanagers Slack community
• Connect with Aydin on LinkedIn
• Follow Fellow on LinkedIn