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How Leaders Lead with David Novak

How Leaders Lead with David Novak

David Novak sits down with the best CEOs, Founders & Entrepreneurs in business, sports and entertainment to talk about hot topics like mindset, preparation, vision and best of all, how they all got started!

David Novak · David Novak Leadership

463 episodesEN

Show overview

How Leaders Lead with David Novak has been publishing since 2020, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 463 episodes, alongside 167 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 310 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.

Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 13 min and 58 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 26 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 101 episodes published. Published by David Novak Leadership.

Episodes
463
Running
2020–2026 · 6y
Median length
47 min
Cadence
Weekly

From the publisher

How Leaders Lead gives you a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the world’s most iconic leaders across business, sports, and entertainment. Hosted by David Novak, Co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, this podcast pulls back the curtain on how top CEOs, founders, and game-changers make things happen. When you tune in, you’ll learn from legends like Tom Brady, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Dimon, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Indra Nooyi, Stanley Druckenmiller, and more. Other guests include: CEO of Starbucks CEO of Target Co-founder of Home Depot and many others... David’s unique perspective and thought-provoking questions distill the wisdom of these leaders into actionable insights you can use to elevate your own leadership game. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or already leading teams, this show helps you build the confidence you need to lead well.

Latest Episodes

View all 463 episodes

#297: Dave Ritterbush, CEO, Califia Farms – Build for what’s next

Jun 25, 202657 min

#296: Landon Donovan, US Soccer Legend – Separate who you are from what you do

Jun 18, 20261h 11m

#295: Shawn Johnson & Andrew East, Olympic Gold Medalist, Former NFL Pro – Experiment and learn by doing

Jun 11, 20261h 1m

#294: Bobby Long, Partner and Co-Founder, Piedmont Capital Partners – See the best in people

Jun 4, 20261h 8m

#293: David Lafitte – CEO, Tecovas – Serve others with radical hospitality

May 28, 20261h 9m

#292: Kecia Steelman, CEO, Ulta Beauty – Progress over perfection

May 21, 20261h 4m

#291: Mark Smucker, Chair and CEO, The J.M. Smucker Company – Understand the soul of your brand

May 14, 202655 min

#290: Mariam Naficy, Founder and Chairman, Minted – See the possibilities in people

May 7, 202657 min

#289: Kurt Kane, CEO, TruGreen – Fall in love with customer retention

Apr 30, 20261h 4m

#288: James “JC” Curleigh, CEO, Pelican Products – How to reframe what you sell

Apr 23, 20261h 11m

#287: Julie Hansen, CEO, Babbel – Don’t fear change

Apr 16, 20261h 5m

#286: John Donahoe, Former CEO of Nike, Director of Athletics at Stanford – Create strategy from the outside in

Apr 9, 20261h 23m

Ep 285#285: Ted Scott, Caddie for Scottie Scheffler, PGA Tour – Great questions demand great answers

In his 29 years as a PGA Tour caddie, Ted Scott has won four Masters and an Olympic gold – not by having all the answers, but by asking the right questions at the right time. It’s how Ted guides the #1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, without getting in the way of his greatness. It’s his go-to strategy for getting better at anything. And it’s why he’s considered by many to be one of the best caddies to ever pick up a bag. If you’ve ever struggled with when to speak up and when to stay quiet, or how to guide people without micromanaging them, then this is the conversation you need. Plus, it’s full of memorable golf stories that you’ve probably never heard before, all told with Ted’s signature wisdom and charm. You’ll also learn: The first question Ted asks any golfer he works with (and why it changes everything) How to disagree with someone without it becoming an argument A refreshingly simple formula for getting better at anything The (somewhat) shocking way he helped Scottie win the Olympics Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Apr 2, 20261h 19m

Ep 284#284: Shea Ralph, Head Coach of Women’s Basketball, Vanderbilt – Ground your team in values, not results

Five years ago, Shea Ralph walked in as head coach of Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team and inherited a broken program. There wasn’t much trust or talent left. But now, Vandy is flying as a #2 seed in this year’s NCAA tournament, and Shea has just been named National Coach of the Year. Go behind the scenes of their turnaround, and see how Shea’s unique story and perspective helped drive it – including how she motivates her team to get good results without letting those results define who they are. You’ll also learn: Why she calls herself “the weather” (and what it means for how you show up today) The importance of learning how to lose How she finally got her team to own their core values Why care comes first, no matter what leadership role you’re in Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Mar 26, 20261h 5m

Ep 283#283: Roy Williams, Former Men’s Basketball Head Coach, North Carolina – Get better every single day

Roy Williams is without a doubt one of the best college basketball coaches of all time. As the men’s head basketball coach at two storied programs – Kansas and UNC – he won three national championships and made nine Final Four appearances. And through every moment, Roy had one standard: don’t step off the court until you’ve gotten better. That applied to his players, his staff, and himself. Most leaders know they should focus on daily improvement. The hard part is actually making it into something real instead of just empty words. In this episode, Roy will show you how to build that discipline into your team without it feeling like a grind, and how to push your team toward big goals without burning them out. Plus you’ll hear some incredible off-the-court stories, including one about Michael Jordan that just might explain his legendary work ethic. You’ll also learn: The daily practice system that kept his teams sharp How to lead with emotion and vulnerability The trick to recruiting (which applies to any sales job) Why just setting a high standard for your team isn’t enough Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Mar 19, 20261h 23m

Ep 282#282: Peter Wharton-Hood, CEO, LIFE Healthcare Group – Pick team players over individual performers

Peter Wharton-Hood became CEO of LIFE Healthcare in August 2020 – right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic – with no healthcare experience. He was an accomplished banking executive, but he had zero context for what it takes to run a hospital. And it was his job to lead 16,000 healthcare workers through a generational crisis. But Peter stepped into the role with a team-first philosophy that’s shaped his whole career. His people are his priority. He puts the team’s best interest before his own, and he isn’t afraid to cut a top performer if they aren’t a team player. This episode will help you think differently about what really matters when building a team, and it’ll give you the courage to make the hard calls that great team culture requires. You’ll also learn: The most important factor when making a career move (most people miss it) A fun exercise you can use to bring your team into the vision and strategy process How to have a tough personnel conversation Why you may NOT want to be a tech trailblazer Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Mar 12, 20261h 7m

Ep 281#281: Tom Wilson, Chair, President and CEO, Allstate – Be brutal with your time

“You have to be brutal with your time.” As the Chair, President and CEO of Allstate, Tom Wilson knows that time is the one resource you can’t get more of. And he is the master of every hour on his calendar. But Tom’s discipline with time isn’t about shutting people out. It’s about being present for what matters – and knowing exactly what that is. In this episode, Tom shares how to be ruthlessly disciplined with your time while staying deeply connected to your team and purpose, why clarity is the ultimate form of empowerment, and why he’s OK being “relentlessly boring.” You’ll also learn: Why silence is one of your most powerful leadership tools The difference between being “in the business” versus “over the business” How to decide what problems deserve your attention What it was like to film an Allstate commercial with the iconic “Mayhem” guy Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Mar 5, 20261h 9m

Ep 280#280: Blake Mycoskie, Founder, TOMS Shoes and ENOUGH – Stay connected to your why

Content Warning: This episode includes a candid conversation about depression and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. You’re not alone. — Blake Mycoskie built TOMS into a $700 million business with a simple idea: sell a pair of shoes, give a pair away to a child in need. But that success didn’t protect him from a seven-year battle with depression. And after selling TOMS, he lost his sense of purpose – and nearly lost himself. Today, Blake is back with a new mission: tackling the mental health crisis through his brand ENOUGH. And for him, staying connected to your “why” is important in business. But in life, it’s essential. In this episode, Blake shares how to stay connected to a sense of purpose and galvanize a team around it, too. You’ll also learn: The marketing strategy that propelled TOMS faster than any traditional approach Why starting a business with zero experience might be your biggest advantage How to recognize the warning signs of depression (even if you “shouldn’t” be struggling) The daily mantra that’s guiding everything Blake does now Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Feb 26, 20261h 5m

Ep 279#279: Eric Kutcher, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company – AI is about growth, not just productivity

“This is a once-in-a-generation technology transition.” That’s how Eric Kutcher, Senior Partner and North America Chair at McKinsey & Company describes the AI moment we’re living through. And he should know: he’s spent 28 years coaching the world’s top companies through massive change. In this episode, Eric breaks down the AI revolution in practical terms, dives deep into what truly makes a team great, and shares a story involving three thousand stress balls that you’ll never forget. You’ll also learn: What it means to work with “long term urgency” How to identify great talent when they have zero experience The mindset you need to bounce back from a big failure Two ways you can drive change in your organization Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Feb 19, 20261h 17m

Ep 278#278: Hanneke Faber, CEO, Logitech – Co-create with your team

How do you get 7,000 people aligned on a new strategy? Ask Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber, who pulled it off in just 24 hours. The former Dutch national diving champion (yes, really) knows that the best strategies aren’t handed down from above. They’re co-created with the people who’ll bring them to life. And at Logitech, the results speak for themselves: eight consecutive quarters of growth and record margins. In this episode, Hanneke shares how she pulled off a 24-hour strategy sprint, why she tells her team “today is the slowest day of the rest of your life,” and what diving from 33 feet in the air taught her about leadership courage. You’ll also learn: How to make your brand sexy (yes, even if you sell mice and keyboards) One popular (but uncommon) employee perk you’ll want to steal A powerful framework for balancing work, family, and everything else without burning out Non-cringey ways to create shared experiences for your team Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

Feb 12, 20261h 16m
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