Maneuver Warfare and Private Equity: Winning Without Frontal Assaults

Written By: Gerald O’Dwyer II The PE Guru — Blackmore Partners, Inc | February 11th, 2025

In both military strategy and private equity (PE), victory does not go to those who rely purely on brute force. Just as maneuver warfare emphasizes speed, initiative, and striking at weaknesses instead of confronting strengths head-on, the BlackmoreConnects approach to private equity roles, board seats, and Buy, Build, Grow (BBG) strategies applies the same principles—avoiding direct competition and instead using intelligence, relationships, and strategic positioning to gain the advantage.

Presupposition: The Majority Will Fail Because They Engage in Attrition Warfare

Most executives enter the private equity game with a corporate, W2 mindset, trying to break in by:

  • Applying through job boards and recruiter postings (a head-on attack against thousands of other executives).
  • Sending resumes cold to PE firms and waiting for a response (attrition warfare—hoping they can outlast others).
  • Trying to prove their experience through credentials rather than positioning themselves as strategic assets (strength vs. strength).

💡 This approach is not only ineffective—it is fundamentally flawed.

💡 99.9% of executives trying to enter PE this way give up.

And that is why our model is so powerful—because if you apply it, you have little real competition. Play the long game, and you will win.

🚨 Most executives will NOT keep the faith long enough to execute on this strategy. The desire to win must be stronger than the desire for immediate results.

🔥 The BlackmoreConnects Model Gives You “On the Court” Experience That Builds Credibility
PE firms don’t hire resumes—they invest in people who have battle-tested insights, deal flow, and execution ability. Our model gives you:

  • Live exposure to PE firms through BlackmoreConnects conferences.
  • Real-world strategy development via our Mastermind Groups.
  • Direct engagement with industry owners and PE firms, so you’re seen as a doer, not an applicant.

💡 “Rest at the end, not in the middle.” – Kobe Bryant
Executives who engage in sustained, strategic networking, continuously refining their approach, and building momentum inevitably outmaneuver those who rely on a brute-force approach.


Maneuver Warfare vs. Attrition: Why Most Executives Fail in Private Equity

Attrition warfare is a grinding game of strength vs. strength. In PE, this looks like:

  • Sending a resume to 100 PE firms and hoping for a reply.
  • Competing for a limited number of CEO roles posted online.
  • Waiting for PE firms to notice you.

Maneuver warfare is about gaining a position of advantage. In PE, this means:

  • Building relationships with 200+ PE firms per year to flank the competition.
  • Leveraging PE conferences, mastermind groups, and targeted networking to gain inside access.
  • Using research tools like PitchBook, Cyndx, and BlackmoreConnects deal thesis workshops to pinpoint the best opportunities before they go public.
  • Positioning oneself as an investor-operator rather than an employee.

💡 Michael Jordan on winning through losing:
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. I’ve failed over and over again. And that is why I succeed.”

PE is a numbers game, not a perfection game. Executives who make 200+ PE firm connections will fail often—but will also land multiple high-value opportunities.


Maneuver Warfare in Landing a PE Role or Board Seat

1️ Avoid the Resume Trap – Build a Targeted PE Firm Funnel

Most executives trying to break into PE take a linear, attrition-based approach—applying to whatever roles they can find and waiting. This is the equivalent of marching into a fortified enemy position.

Instead, maneuver:

  • Identify 200 PE firms per year using BlackmoreConnects, PitchBook, and Cyndx.
  • Build relationships through PE conferences, mastermind groups, and direct outreach.
  • Focus on firms investing in sectors you know intimately, rather than competing broadly.

2️ Strike at the Weakness – Solve PE’s Biggest Problem

PE firms do not need more candidates—they need solutions.

  • High turnover in portfolio company leadership.
  • Difficulty finding industry-expert executives who can execute Buy, Build, Grow.
  • Lack of industry-specific relationships in niche markets.

Executives who position themselves as the answer to these problems—not just another resume—win roles without ever competing directly.

Example: Instead of waiting for a job posting, you engage 10 PE firms actively investing in your industry and present a ready-made Buy, Build, Grow strategy for a niche market consolidation. The PE firm doesn’t just offer you a job—they back your strategy.

💡 “You have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light.” – Kobe Bryant
The best BBG strategies are built months or years before they become public opportunities.


Winning Through Maneuver: A 12-Month Roadmap

🚀 Success in PE is not a one-time effort. It’s about positioning, execution, and iteration.

Month 1-3: Build Your Base & Funnel

✔ Attend BlackmoreConnects PE Conferences to refine your deal thesis.
✔ Build a list of 200 PE firms using PitchBook & Cyndx.
✔ Engage 10+ business owners in your target sector.

Month 4-6: Engage, Iterate & Refine

✔ Speak with 5-10 PE firms per month, refining your investor-operator pitch.
✔ Test your Buy, Build, Grow strategy at BlackmoreConnects mastermind sessions.
✔ Attend ACG and industry-specific events to build executive credibility.

Month 7-12: Secure PE Backing & Execute

✔ Land advisory or board roles to deepen PE relationships.
✔ Present 3-5 acquisition opportunities to interested firms.
✔ Secure a Letter of Intent (LOI) for your first deal.


Final Thoughts: PE Is Won by Those Who Play to Win

Most executives fail in private equity because they play the game like a job search.
💡 PE is a long-term campaign, not a one-time battle.

🔥 Maneuver, don’t compete head-on.
🔥 Strike at weakness, not at strength.
🔥 Build your funnel—200+ PE firms, year over year.
🔥 Show up. Engage. Adjust. Repeat.

🚀 $10K-$20K Investment → 10x-20x+ ROI 🚀

📩 Let’s discuss how to refine your strategy before the next BlackmoreConnects conference.

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan

Make it happen.