What does real alignment look like—when leadership, strategy, and execution finally match?

In this bonus episode, Felicia Shakiba shares an important update: CPO PLAYBOOK is becoming LeaderbookAI. This isn’t just a podcast name change—it reflects the evolution of the entire business.

Episode 95 explored the cost of misalignment inside organizations. Here, we practice what we preach.

LeaderbookAI represents the expanded work behind the show today: AI-enabled transformation, value creation planning for private equity and investors, world-class executive coaching, M&A integration, compensation and organizational design, and leadership development directly tied to business outcomes.

Felicia also thanks the listeners who’ve helped build this show into the top 6% of podcasts worldwide, as it approaches 100 episodes and prepares for Season 5.

Same conversations. Same rigor.

A name that finally matches the impact.

Welcome to LeaderbookAI.

What if your growth problem isn’t your product, pricing, or team—but misalignment?

We’re joined by Dr. Philippe Bouissou—Apple alum, bestselling author of Aligning the Dots, and the mind behind the A4 Precision Alignment™ methodology that’s fueling faster, more sustainable revenue growth for companies around the world.

With a PhD in chaos theory and a resume that includes scaling Apple’s eCommerce from zero to $350M under Steve Jobs, Philippe has spent 30+ years advising CEOs, investing $44M in startups, and sitting on 23 boards. He’s the founder of Blue Dots Partners, where he and a team of elite CEOs decode growth through alignment.

In this conversation, Philippe reveals:

• Why misalignment is the hidden reason companies stall

• How to diagnose growth friction across four alignment axes

• Why CEOs must understand customer pain before pitching their claim

• How to fix the perception vs. messaging gap

• Why a “frictionless transaction” is the key to unlocking revenue

• What it really means to deliver delight

Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or investor—this episode is your blueprint for unlocking smarter, faster, customer-centered growth.

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Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us

What do you do when the world changes faster than your workforce can adapt?

Carlee Wolfe, AVP, Leader Development and Organizational Effectiveness, Hyatt Hotels, shares how she’s helping over 125,000 employees stay ahead—by building leadership capabilities that thrive in uncertainty and unlock transformation.

Carlee reveals how Hyatt diagnoses leadership gaps, drives behavior change at scale, and develops future-ready leaders through a culture of continuous learning, curiosity, and experimentation. From AI adoption to people-first transformation, this episode is packed with strategy, humanity, and actionable insight.

You’ll learn:

• Why performance problems are often leadership problems in disguise

• How to turn curiosity into a measurable business competency

• What most companies get wrong about AI transformation

• How Hyatt built a global leadership model based on behavior, not headcount

• What CEOs need to know before investing in leadership development

Whether you’re building teams, shaping culture, or leading transformation—this is a masterclass in scaling leadership in the age of AI.

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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

What does it mean to be an AI-native employee—and why will they win?

In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Thibault Imbert, Chief Product and Growth Officer at The Brief, breaks down the tools, mindsets, and skills redefining productivity and creativity in the AI era. From mastering conversational AI to prototyping in real time with voice and visual tools, Thibault shares what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace.

We explore how creative tools are changing the way we ideate, build, and communicate—and why 70% is the new zero when it comes to speed and experimentation.

You’ll learn:

• Why mastering conversational AI is now a business advantage

• How visual creation tools accelerate innovation

• What “AI-native” workflows look like in real teams

• How to go from idea to prototype using voice and visual AI

• Why empathy still matters—even in an AI-first world

Whether you’re building products, leading teams, or just trying to keep up with AI, this episode will leave you rethinking how you work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

04:30 The Journey of AI Transformation

09:52 Mastering Conversational AI

15:52 Visual Creation and Concepting Ideas

23:10 Voice as a Creative Output

27:45 Prototyping and Building in Real Time

32:58 Innovative Tools for Research and Presentation

What does it take to build a biotech company without burning billions—or losing your conviction?

In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba sits down with Dr. Shalabh Gupta, Founder & CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics, a physician-turned-Wall-Street-analyst who built and took a biotech company public in a way few ever do.

Dr. Gupta shares how he raised $150M+ in public markets, went public with just one employee, and scaled to FDA submission readiness with only 22 people—all without relying on traditional Silicon Valley venture capital.

This conversation unpacks what real CEO discipline looks like in one of the most unforgiving industries in the world—and what leaders in any industry can learn from it.

You’ll learn:

• Why great CEOs start with the problem—not the product

• How to scale a capital-intensive business with radical focus

• Why FDA alignment is a leadership skill, not a regulatory hurdle

• How public-market thinking changes founder decision-making

• What investors actually look for in CEO credibility and trust

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Unisysive Therapeutics

04:27 Innovative Approach to Biotech

07:55 Understanding the Biotech Landscape

10:39 Transition from Medicine to Wall Street

14:08 Lessons from Genentech

19:46 Building a Company Alone

22:47 The Importance of Networking

27:00 Engaging with the FDA

30:57 Raising Capital in Biotech

41:58 Navigating Investor Relationships

This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, capital discipline, and building companies that last.

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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

Can financial education turn athletes into powerful investors?

In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Danny Cortenraede shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor and mentor, helping athletes and early-stage startups build long-term wealth. Drawing from his background scaling multiple companies, Danny now leads initiatives that teach athletes how to make smart investment decisions, build their financial literacy, and take control of their legacy beyond the field.

We explore how his work at LEAD is shaping a new generation of athlete-entrepreneurs—through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world exposure to capital strategy.

You’ll learn:

• Why 80% of startups fail—and how to avoid it

• How athletes can transition from endorsements to equity

• What startup founders should know about scaling to Series A

• Why real estate is a powerful entry point for investing

• How LEAD is building an ecosystem of athlete-driven innovation

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Danny Cortenraede

01:16 Danny's Entrepreneurial Journey

04:28 Transitioning to Investment and Education

10:00 The Importance of Financial Literacy for Athletes

19:36 Building the Athlete Council and Educational Initiatives

26:51 Success Stories and Impact of Education

31:33 Changing Perspectives on Investment Among Athletes

34:14 Mindset for Lasting Legacy

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or someone looking to build lasting value, this episode is packed with strategy, insight, and inspiration.

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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

How do you take a healthcare innovation from lab to market—without losing your shot at impact?

In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Sasha Schrode, CEO of FEMSelect, shares her founder journey from licensing IP out of the University of Pennsylvania to raising venture capital, securing FDA approval, and selling her first company. Now leading FEMSelect, Sasha reveals the hard-won lessons from navigating regulatory hurdles, reimbursement pathways, and clinical validation.

She also explains how a personal cancer diagnosis in her 30s reshaped her purpose—and why falling in love with the problem, not the solution, is what separates great CEOs from the rest.

You’ll learn:

• Why less than 1% of healthcare innovation reaches patients

• The 3 filters every founder must apply before building a company

• How to test product-market fit with real clinicians

• How to think like an investor—and what VCs get wrong

• Why the most successful CEOs start as learners

Chapters

00:00 The Journey from Diagnosis to Innovation

13:18 Understanding Market Viability and Clinical Need

22:43 The Iteration Process in Med Tech

24:20 Insights on Raising Capital and Exiting

27:24 Common Mistakes in Commercialization

32:00 First Steps for Aspiring Innovators

This is your masterclass on building medtech with purpose, discipline, and market-ready strategy.

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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

What happens when you bet on people instead of acquisitions? In this insightful episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Pia Ostos, EVP and Chief Performance Officer at Inmar Intelligence, shares how prioritizing leadership training fueled explosive business growth and transformed company culture.

By investing in leadership development and embedding clear leadership standards into performance reviews, she redefined HR from a cost center to a powerful business performance accelerator.

Through a culture of accountability and a commitment to experimentation, Pia’s approach drove sustained growth without relying on acquisitions. You’ll discover the six key leadership behaviors that inspire innovation and accountability, why leadership investment is critical to shifting culture from the top down, and how measurable leadership development strategies translate into real revenue impacts.

Tune in to gain a blueprint for transforming leadership and culture into your organization’s strongest competitive advantage, especially in fast-paced, high-stakes business environments.

Join the conversation to learn how leadership, culture, and performance intertwine to drive outstanding business results.

Chapters:

00:00 Transforming Leadership into a Growth Engine

06:31 Establishing Centers of Excellence

16:08 Innovating for Sustainable Growth

24:18 Building a Culture of Experimentation

26:02 Setting Core Leadership Standards

30:40 Measuring and Rewarding Leadership Behaviors

35:06 Leadership Development as a Growth Strategy

39:26 Advice for Building a High-Performing Culture

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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

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

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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

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.

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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