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The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw SelectionAuthor: Alex Rawlings
Hosted by Alex Rawlings, Managing Partner of Raw Selection, a specialist executive search firm. Join us as we interview the leading experts in Private Equity, unlocking their secrets of success to share with you. Discover how some of the top Private Equity professionals got into Private Equity, how they rose to success and learn about some of the mistakes they made along the way.Alex has strong connections to the Private Equity industry through his executive search firm, Raw Selection, which specialises in working with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies across Europe and North America. Alex is straight talking and to the point and aims to unlock real gold you can build into your firm or portfolio companies. Find out more at www.raw-selection.com Language: en-gb Genres: Business, Education, Investing, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Mastery of the Psychology of Change & Transformation
Tuesday, 31 March, 2026
Guest: Meg Pogue, Founder, Mission SquaredHost: Alex RawlingsMeg Pogue joins Alex to discuss the psychology behind change in private equity-backed businesses. A former CEO who scaled her company from 2 to 95 employees, Meg now works with executive teams to navigate transformation, cultural friction, and the human dynamics of growth and acquisitions.The conversation explores why acquisitions and major transformations often trigger fear and resistance inside organizations. While executives are typically excited by growth and opportunity, most employees prioritize stability and social connection, both of which can feel threatened during periods of change.Meg explains how the brain’s threat response can lead to defensive behaviours, disengagement, and poor decision-making. Leaders often misinterpret this as resistance or negativity, when in reality it’s a natural psychological reaction to uncertainty.She shares practical leadership tactics for managing change effectively, including rebuilding trust through authenticity and vulnerability, empowering employees with a sense of control, and communicating the “why” behind transformation.Meg also introduces simple tools leaders can use during times of change, such as the “1–10 engagement question” and asking employees directly “How can I support you better right now?” — both designed to surface concerns quickly and maintain momentum during transformation.🕒 Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to Meg Pogue00:28 – Meg’s CEO journey and leadership lessons01:54 – Fear and perception around private equity acquisitions03:23 – Leadership personality differences during change05:14 – Why employees feel threatened by transformation06:44 – Communication and leadership during change10:59 – Rebuilding trust within teams13:25 – Empowerment and giving employees control14:51 – Leading change in fast-paced PE environments18:40 – Questions leaders should ask their teams19:07 – The “1–10 engagement” leadership tool21:30 – Raising standards without creating resistance24:51 – Leadership book recommendations26:17 – Meg’s book: The Adversity Hack27:39 – How to connect with MegKey TakeawaysChange triggers threat responsesMost employees prioritize stability and connection, making acquisitions feel risky.Executives often underestimate psychologyHigh-drive leaders assume others share their excitement for transformation.Trust accelerates changeAuthenticity and vulnerability help rebuild trust quickly.Empowerment reduces resistanceGiving employees voice and autonomy improves engagement.Clear communication mattersExplaining the “why” behind change helps teams align faster.Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/🌐 Visit Raw Selection www.raw-selection.comLooking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guidesfor proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.
