---
id: "question-leading-indicators"
type: "open-question"
source_timestamps: ["§ 3. They relentlessly focus on high-impact priorities."]
tags: ["metrics", "kpis"]
related: ["concept-leading-indicators-of-focus"]
resolutionPath: "A taxonomy of leading indicators mapped to different types of PE value-creation plays (e.g., buy-and-build, operational turnaround, organic growth)."
sources: ["tail2"]
sourceVaultSlug: "hbr-seg-tail2"
originDay: 2
articleStem: "hbr-tail-121-best-pe-backed-ceos"
sourceUrl: "https://hbr.org/2026/04/what-the-best-private-equity-backed-ceos-do-differently"
sourceTitle: "What the Best Private Equity-Backed CEOs Do Differently"
---
# Which Leading Indicators are Most Predictive?

**Open question.** The article gives examples of [[concept-leading-indicators-of-focus|leading indicators]] — pipeline growth, new business wins, schedule/capacity utilization — but leaves open **how a CEO systematically identifies the *correct* leading indicators** for their specific industry or investment thesis.

**Resolution path:** build a **taxonomy of leading indicators mapped to PE value-creation play types** (buy-and-build, operational turnaround, organic growth). Enrichment lead: *The 4 Disciplines of Execution* offers a method for deriving 'lead measures' from a 'Wildly Important Goal,' which could seed such a taxonomy.