Winning the talent game is essential for success, and ESG policies can play a central role. : While at times it seems like environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities can be at odds with financial outcomes, the implementation of ESG practices is actually a key driver of financial returns in a world with increasing competition among investors. In fact, actively employing ESG operational practices guided by the framework within a private equity (PE) portfolio gives the fund its best chance of outsized returns.