Felicia Shakiba has built her career around helping companies thrive by putting people at the center of growth. As the founder of CPO PLAYBOOK, an executive coaching and HR consulting firm, she supports PE- and VC-backed companies with leadership development, culture transformation, and talent strategy. She’s also the host of The CPO PLAYBOOK Podcast, which is nearing its 100th episode, celebrating bold leadership and business reinvention.
“I help leaders drive performance, trust, and growth during the most pivotal moments of a company’s lifecycle especially in high-pressure environments like private equity,” Felicia explains. Her work lives at the intersection of data and human behavior, guiding executive teams and boards through change that truly sticks.
Creating a Better Way to Scale
Felicia’s inspiration for founding her business came from what she witnessed during years in corporate leadership roles. “I saw too many companies leaving their people behind during high-growth or turnaround moments,” she shares. With experience at global firms like WPP and Samsung, she recognized the need for a more human-centered approach.
“I built CPO PLAYBOOK to be that answer blending strategy, psychology, and coaching to drive results and loyalty.”
My introversion is my edge.
Harnessing Introversion as an Edge
In industries where strong personalities often dominate, Felicia has found strength in her quieter approach. “I listen obsessively. I don’t dominate rooms. I observe, connect dots, and say the one thing that reframes the entire conversation,” she says.
This ability to cut through the noise has made her indispensable, especially in private equity where, as she puts it, “time is money and words carry weight. My introversion is my edge.”
Wisdom Worth Sharing
When asked to share a piece of advice, Felicia offers a reminder that leadership goes far beyond titles. “People don’t follow titles. They follow energy, clarity, and trust. Especially as an introvert, clarity and presence are your power. The quieter your delivery, the more precise your message needs to be.”
Designing Her Dream Life
For Felicia, success isn’t just professional; it’s deeply personal too. “Honestly, I’m getting close. A meaningful business built on trust and transformation, deep relationships with my twin daughters, and a community of ambitious, values-driven leaders — that’s my dream. Add more nature, music, and spontaneous adventures, and it’s perfect.”
To learn more about Felicia Shakiba, find her on LinkedIn and her website.
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