How Leaders Lead with David Novak

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can leaders prepare someone they fire for their next role? What advice do you have for leaders who find it difficult to make time to listen? How can leaders recognize and encourage the people who are behind the scenes, creating opportunities for their team to win when it matters most? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Want to build strong relationships with your team, no matter what your role is? It starts with how you see the people around you. Discover this powerful outlook for yourself as David talks with NFL Hall of Famer and 4x Super Bowl champ Lynn Swann! You’ll also learn: The one thing all high-performing teams have in common What to hire for if you want to develop more leaders How to navigate major career transitions successfully What it’s really like to play in a Super Bowl 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What advice do you have for leaders who get turned down from the job they believe they’re capable of having? How should leaders think through the customer experience and take them to places they might not even see yet? What type of leadership skills does it take to pull off something that has never been done before? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

If you’re a leader, you’re going to face big obstacles, skepticism, and rejection. How can you tap into the power of persistence to overcome that stuff – and even leverage it to drive success? Also in this episode: How to truly dial in what customers want The mindset you need when others doubt you Why you might to adjust your leadership style The key to uniting a team (even when there’s disagreement) How consumers’ definition of luxury has changed The groundbreaking way Celebrity Cruises celebrated International Women’s Day 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What were some of your best recruiting strategies when you were hiring for key positions at Yum! Brands? How should Founder/CEOs be thinking about mergers and acquisitions? What’s your take on the importance of learning how to manage your inner world? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

How can you help your organization get better at learning and incorporating feedback? And why could it make or break your success? Also in this episode: A key factor in professional success that most young people overlook Five keys to building a curious and driven culture Tips for making smart acquisitions and other partnerships Why the idea of a single founder’s bold vision can be problematic The #1 thing leaders can do to bring more stability to their company A controversial take on soup (yes, soup) 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: If you had a trust profile that helped inform you whether or not to trust someone, what would be on it? How can leaders make sure they’re evaluating every perspective when they’re faced with a tough decision? How did you know when it was time to step away as CEO of Yum! Brands after nearly 20 years in your role? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

How do you speak truth to power? And as a leader, are you surrounding yourself with truth tellers? Also in this episode: Keys to driving more accountability on your team How to leverage media opportunities to tell your story What values-driven communication looks like in leadership What it was like behind the scenes of the mission to take out Osama bin Laden His expert take on Israel, China, Russia, and more 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can leaders push their teams even when they’re winning by a big margin? How does a leader teach good decision making to their teams? What are ways to increase the level of intensity at work? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Today’s guest is Dan Hurley, the head men’s basketball coach at UConn. If you watched last year’s March Madness Tournament, then you know: he’s the guy that led the Huskies to the NCAA title, with dominant performances throughout the tournament. Here’s this incredible coach who’s reached the pinnacle of success for collegiate coaching. But to listen to him, you would never know it. As you’ll hear for yourself in this episode, there is a relentless drive and work ethic to the way Dan leads. And it’s a powerful reminder that no matter what level of success you’re at now, you’ve always got to find a way to keep pushing yourself to the NEXT level. And Dan’s going to show you how it’s done! You’ll also learn: Secrets of dialing in a happy, healthy team dynamic How to boost someone’s confidence (especially if they’re in a slump) One powerful reason you might want to “stress-test” your team Why your whole team gets better when you push yourself 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can leaders get better at making the tough decisions they need to make? How'd you get up-to-speed in terms of working with Wall Street when you became CEO of Yum! Brands? How can a leader build this type of fail-then-learn mindset on their team? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Happy New Year! Our guest today as we kick off 2024 is Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle. Chipotle has just wrapped up a banner year with Brian at the helm. They’re posting record growth and revenue, all while doing innovative stuff with their marketing and menu. But as you’ll hear today, it’s not just about big ideas. Brian knows how to focus on the RIGHT ideas and then create the kind of structure, execution, and team motivation to really make ‘em happen. And with Chipotle doing better than ever, it’s clear that he’s found a recipe for success … and you’ll get a ton of value when you hear how he leads. You’ll also learn: How to get people to believe in you as a leader Three steps to follow to lead a successful turnaround One way to tell if it’s time for a job change How to properly vet great ideas Tips for tackling tough performance-related conversations 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.

In this episode, we take all the great wisdom from the last three months and highlight the most impactful takeaways for you. The Best Of Q4 features leadership insights from these incredible leaders: Mark King, CEO of Taco Bell Mike White, Former Chairman & CEO of DIRECTV Dr. Mark Esper, Former United States Secretary of Defense Mignon Francois, Founder and CEO of The Cupcake Collection Bill George, Former Chairman & CEO of Medtronic Joe Moglia, Former CEO of TD Ameritrade Michael Bungay Stanier, Bestselling author and founder of Box of Crayons Jim Levine, Literary Agent Yamini Rangan, CEO of Hubspot Paul Sarvadi, CEO of Insperity Liz Elting, Former CEO of Transperfect Bret Baier, Chief Political Anchor of Fox News Channel and Executive Editor of "Special Report with Bret Baier" ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can leaders study their own performance as a means of getting better? When has one of your "truth tellers" given you some truth you didn't want to hear? How have you learned to stay calm even when being attacked? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Today’s guest is Bret Baier, the Chief Political Anchor of Fox News Channel. He’s also the Executive Editor and host of “Special Report with Bret Baier” which airs live, every weeknight, to millions of viewers. Now, there’s a lot we could say about the worlds of politics and media. But one thing’s for sure – there is never a dull moment! In Bret’s world, things are always happening and changing. As the anchor of a live news program, he has to be ready for anything. How does he do it? As you’re about to hear, Bret keeps his eyes and ears open all the time. He is always asking questions, listening, and staying tuned in to what’s going on. That kind of attentive mindset can help you, too, and you’ll find a ton of insights when you see how Bret works and leads. You’ll also learn: • The mindset you need in big, nervy moments • How to respond when things go wrong, get tense, or change unexpectedly • Bret’s expert take on how the current political climate (including the 2024 Presidential election) • What it’s like to ask the Dalai Lama about Caddyshack or have an impromptu interview with Jimmy Buffet! 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What advice would you give to entrepreneurs who are grinding everyday to make their ideas come to life? Should leaders be vulnerable with their teams? (And if so, what's the appropriate amount?) What role should faith play for a leader of a for-profit business? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Today’s guest is Mignon Francois, the founder and CEO of The Cupcake Collection, a destination bakery with locations in Nashville and New Orleans. Mignon started her business with nothing but a five dollar bill. She turned that $5 into $60 with her first order. Sixty dollars became $600. And now, she’s sold over five million cupcakes and has won all kinds of entrepreneurial awards. And as sweet as her success has been (no pun intended!), it hasn’t come easy. As you’ll hear today, Mignon has persevered through some real adversity. But you’ll also hear just how strong her mentality is. And for her, that strength comes from her faith. Faith is an incredibly personal thing. And it looks different for each one of us. But when you know what you believe in—whether that’s religious faith, a sense of spirituality, or simply core values you hold dear—you’ve got an anchor that will help you stay strong and grounded as you navigate all the challenges of leadership. Listen in and see what leadership looks like when you know what you believe in! You’ll also learn: • The five qualities every entrepreneur needs • A new (and refreshing) way to look at competition • The #1 thing you need to run a family business well • How being transparent can strengthen your relationships 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How did you turn self-awareness into a competitive advantage? Why is it important know how people function under stress when considering them for a position? What did you do to deal with naysayers? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Joe Moglia is the former head football coach of Coastal Carolina University AND the former chairman and CEO of TD Ameritrade. There aren’t a lot of people out there who can be both an award-winning coach AND a world-class CEO. That is some serious range! And yet Joe has an incredibly consistent leadership style, no matter what he’s doing. For him, it is ALL about the people he serves. Whether he’s leading football players or sales people, he knows… it’s not about him. It’s about his team. They’re the ones out there getting stuff done. And his job is to support them and serve them and coach them to success. When you approach leadership with a coaching mentality like that, EVERYTHING changes. Listen to this episode and see how it’s done! You’ll also learn: One exercise to help you make strong, successful career decisions Why you can’t overlook the importance of someone’s skill set The danger of making excuses A key to reaching goals that most people overlook 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What’s the biggest goal you’ve ever set and how’d you go about getting there? Can you trust your direct reports to tell you the truth about what's going on in the business? What's the difference between managers and leaders? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Today’s guest is Mark King, the CEO of Taco Bell. Of course, Taco Bell was already an iconic brand when Mark took over in 2019, but he has helped them achieve even more success and innovation. Get this: he even had the Taco Bell logo shaved into the side of his head, if that tells you ANYTHING about the kind of leader you’re about to learn from. That’s the thing about Mark. He is NOT afraid to go big. In fact, he believes leaders have to set big aspirational goals. That’s what he’s doing at Taco Bell, and it’s also how he led incredible turnarounds at both TaylorMade and Adidas North America. It’s not enough to just aim for incremental growth. If you really want to disrupt the status quo, you’ve got to chase something extraordinary. This is one of those conversations that’s gonna leave you buzzing with practical ideas AND big time inspiration. You’ll also learn: How to find the best hybrid and return-to-work solutions The key to becoming a more innovative organization Two practical ways to find out what’s really going on in your organization Three things to look for when you’re interviewing job candidates The key difference between managers and leaders 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What’s your experience been like writing your new book compared to books you’ve written in the past? How should leaders go about hunting down new ideas? Have you ever been in a role where you’ve faced a lot of rejection? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Today’s guest is Jim Levine, who is the founder and principal at his literary agency, LGR. He represents authors like Tom Brady, Ray Dalio, Patrick Lencioni, and our very own David Novak! As a literary agent, Jim’s mentality is all about helping others win. He wants to land good deals for his authors, help publishers find the right books, and coach everyone on his team to succeed. There’s a level of satisfaction you just can’t get until you learn to help others win. It’s a mentality every leader needs to develop, and Jim is the perfect person to show you how it’s done. Plus, if you’ve ever thought about writing a book, you’re about to get a rare inside look into the world of publishing. You’ll also learn: The three elements of a successful nonfiction book The most important thing to do when you offer feedback The aspect of listening most people miss Insider tips on what it really takes to write a book (and it’s not what you think) A piece of parenting advice that has nothing to do with parenting 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What impressed you most about Yamini? What advice can you give CEOs who are taking over from founders of companies, particularly in a scenario when the company is healthy and thriving? What’s something leaders can learn from treating their culture as a product? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

As a leader, you’ve got a LOT of things vying for your attention. How do you know what deserves your time and focus … and what doesn’t? Today’s episode will help you answer that big question! David is joined by Yamini Rangan, the CEO of HubSpot, a popular online CRM platform that’s growing by leaps and bounds. A big reason for HubSpot’s success is the clear sense of focus that Yamini has instilled to help everyone make better decisions and prioritize the right opportunities. In fact, Yamini even has a phrase for it: fortune favors the focused. The way you apply your attention and focus has a huge bearing on the results you can achieve. So if you’re feeling spread a little thin, or you’re just not sure what you need to be focused on right now to really move the needle for your organization, then you’re going to love this episode! You’ll also learn: Your most strategic tool in leadership (this one will surprise you!) A paradigm-shifting way to think about company culture Practical advice for shifting out of functional roles into management A helpful mindset to overcome imposter syndrome Fresh ideas to put customers at the center of your business 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How should leaders at the very top stay informed about what’s actually going on in their business? How should leaders handle disagreements with their boss? What do leaders need to be thinking about when it comes to recruiting? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Today’s guest is Dr. Mark Esper, who served as the 27th United States Secretary of Defense. He has spent his whole life in military service, and he is proof positive that we can accomplish amazing things when we stay focused on the mission. If you’re like most leaders, you’re dealing with a million details a day. It’s far too easy to take your eye off the bigger goals you’re working toward. This conversation with Mark will remind you why it’s vital to stay focused on the mission. It’s how you bring a team together and navigate situations where people don’t see eye to eye. And Mark knows a thing or two about that after his time in the Trump administration, when he and the President weren’t always aligned. If you’ve ever disagreed with your boss (and, let’s be honest, who hasn’t?!), then you’re going to love these insights. You’ll also learn: Practical insights for anyone who doesn’t see eye to eye with their boss Why every leader needs to understand history One strategy to try if you need to boost innovation How to unify a group of people, even if they’re from different walks of life The best way to deflate a big ego As we observe Veterans Day this Saturday, November 11th, this episode is dedicated to all the brave men and women of our military who serve and sacrifice on behalf of our great country. From all of us at How Leaders Lead, thank you for your service. 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: Should you hire people for their input or their output? When have you failed fast and what did you learn from it? What’s your take on how companies today should incorporate DE&I into their organizations? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

It’s our responsibility as leaders to make sure that people from every walk of life are included and heard and valued when they come to work. But how do we do that? This is a challenge that everyone is working on, though, let’s be honest: a lot of diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives at the corporate level just aren’t moving the needle enough. Our guest in this episode thinks about DEI (diversity, equality, and inclusion) differently. Paul Sarvadi is the Chairman and CEO of Insperity, an HR solutions company for small and midsize businesses. Hear how Paul and his team embrace diversity as a starting point and then build on it to find a true sense of commonality and cohesion. Instead of just checking off a box for DEI initiatives, they’re actually developing genuine connections that really move their business forward, all while making sure everyone has a voice at the table. You’re going to love hearing how Paul values people and how it shows up in the way his company operates. You’ll also learn: Why you need a people plan (and how to build one) A better way to think about hiring that goes beyond a boost in productivity The reason many DEI programs fall short The powerful insight Paul got by talking to his closed-lost accounts early on Tips for growing as a leader as your company grows, too 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What advice can you give leaders about how to negotiate well? What can someone do to move from a specialized role to one of a leader / General Manager? Why do you think leaders derail and what can leaders do to avoid that? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Today’s guest is Mike White, who served as the Chairman and CEO of DirecTV from 2010 until his retirement in 2015. As you might recall, that’s exactly when streaming services really took off. People were cutting the cord on traditional TV left and right and the whole media landscape got turned upside down. So what does it take to be a great leader when the world is changing right before your eyes? It takes resilience—and a lot of it! And if you’ve ever wanted to really see what resilience looks like in action, then you’re going to love this conversation. Mike doesn’t lose his stride when things get tough. He knows how to see around corners and anticipate what’s coming. And most importantly, he knows how to keep people going when things feel uncertain. The truth is, the world is ALWAYS changing, and this conversation will help you tap into the power of resilience in a changing world. You’ll also learn: What it’s like to be a CEO on the TV show Undercover Boss Three big-picture market trends that every leader needs to understand The most common blind spot in business (and how to account for it) How to leverage the advantages of being an underdog to a major competitor Three negotiation tricks—including one weird one you’ve probably never heard The #1 factor that derails leaders 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: For leaders trying to scale their business, what should they be focusing on? What are ways leaders can reward their hard-working team in a time that demands more of their employees? What kind of balance do leaders need to have between instructing people on what to do, then setting them loose to go and do it? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

There are few things more frustrating than a leader who sets up a bunch of meetings, presents ideas, and talks strategy… … but then doesn’t know how to motivate everyone to actually get all that stuff done! Fortunately, our guest today is NOT that kind of leader. Liz Elting is the former CEO of TransPerfect, a translation solutions company that she started and built into a billion-dollar business. Today you’re going to hear how she did it. And as you’ll see, a huge part of her success comes from Liz’s strong bias toward action. She is willing to put in the hard work and long hours. She is incredibly goal-oriented. And best of all, she knows how to motivate a team to go out and operate in the same way. If you’re feeling stagnant or weighed down by too much bureaucracy, this episode is going to help you be the kind of leader who’s biased toward action – and whose teams are, too. You’ll also learn: What to focus on early in a startup if you want to get out of the weeds and scale quickly A big personnel mistake Liz made early (and how she fixed it) One big reason you might not be hitting your goals A key characteristic to look for when you’re hiring for a sales role Practical sources of new ideas that you’re probably overlooking Three critical safeguards EVERY business partnership needs 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: Was there a time in your career you resisted the urge to dispense advice and instead, asked more questions to your team to pull out their insights? What practices have you used to celebrate others' ideas? What are some practical ways to shift from “boss” to “coach”? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Picture this: Someone on your team comes to you with a question about how to approach a problem theyr’e facing. What do you do? If you’re like most leaders, your first instinct is to dispense some advice. And that’s understandable! You’re sitting in that leadership role precisely because you’ve got all kinds of great wisdom and insight to share. But according to today’s guest, that approach can backfire. Michael Bungay Stanier is a bestselling author and the founder of a company called Box of Crayons that equips leaders to become better coaches. He’s on a mission to help leaders move away from giving advice and instead leverage the power of curiosity to draw out their team. For Michael, curiosity is a leadership superpower that helps you find better ideas, pinpoint the right problems, and get more from your teammates. And this conversation is jam-packed with practical ways to help you do ALL that. You’ll also learn: One three-word question that will change the way you coach your team The three different kinds of “Advice Monsters” (and how to tame yours!) How to use the power of silence The one thing you need to do in a difficult working relationship A practical framework to navigate a big company leadership transition One specific question that will help you dig deeper in any relationship Three principles to improve your communication skills 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can leaders eliminate the layers that build up between them and the people who work on the front lines of their organization? What do you do when you've lost the passion for your job? How can leaders convey the big-picture mission of their company to the employees so they don’t get distracted by temporary challenges? ——— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

We all have those days where we hop from meeting to meeting, only to look back on the day and wonder what we really accomplished. If that sounds familiar, then you’re going to find a lot of value in this conversation with Bill George, the former Chairman & CEO of Medtronic. He’s also an executive fellow at Harvard Business School and, like all of us here at How Leaders Lead, he is passionate about developing great leaders. But he sees so many leaders spending more and more time in meetings, and less and less time with customers and front-line employees. How can you eliminate the layers that tend to build up between you and the people who work on the front lines of your organization? Hit play if you want to see how to do it and why it matters so much. Plus, you’ll hear great wisdom about leading with authenticity, finding your purpose, and so much more. You’ll also learn: How to calibrate your ambition and drive, especially early in your career Advice for forging a career path that fits who you are and what you want The danger of making your job your identity—and how to avoid it The reason behind great successions (Microsoft) and not-so-great ones (GE) Tips for focusing on long-term goals without ignoring immediate issues 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.

In this episode, we take all the great wisdom from the last three months and highlight the most impactful takeaways for you. The Best Of Q3 features leadership insights from these incredible leaders: Alan Mulally, Former CEO of Ford Brandon Beane, GM of Buffalo Bills Kevin Warsh, Former Member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors Diana Murphy, Former President of the USGA Geoff Colvin, Fortune Magazine Senior Editor at Large Ben Weprin, CEO of AJ Capital and Graduate Hotels Jim Fish, CEO of Waste Management Mike McCoy, Walker Cup captain Dr. Bob Grossman, CEO of NYU Langone Health Scott Redler, Cofounder of Freddy’s and Chairman of the National Restaurant Association Korie Robertson, Television star on Duck Dynasty Patrick Lencioni, Bestselling author and Founder of the Table Group ALSO... Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What characteristics would you look for if you were on the search committee for a new CEO? What advice would you give to a leader trying to keep a sales team motivated? How would you suggest people navigate working for a boss they don't like? ALSO... Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Today’s guest is Diana Murphy, the former President of the USGA. She also serves on the boards of AIG, Landstar, Synovus, and the Atlanta Braves – and it’s no surprise, because she’s a phenomenal leader who really knows how to get people working together. Everybody talks about collaboration these days, but Diana has always had it in her DNA. Teams who can collaborate well tend to do better work in less time … and they have more fun doing it, too! If you want to tap into the power of collaboration for your own team and career, you are going to get a ton of insight from Diana in this episode. And if you’re a golfer, don’t miss the story about Arnold Palmer playing golf with her husband on their wedding day! You’ll also learn: The mindset you need when you’re facing a new challenge The “secret sauce” to motivate a sales force How to handle internal dissent in a healthy way The most important traits to have if your goal is the C-suite 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: Why is a mindset of "helping others be successful" as a leader so critical to the longevity and growth of an organization? What happens when your team members function like entrepreneurs? How do you keep your own opinion out of the way (and just stick to the facts) as a leader? ALSO... Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/ Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/ Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that quality matters in your organization. But a lot of leaders struggle to take that ideal of quality and actually turn it into a day-to-day reality for their team. In other words, how do you operationalize quality? This conversation with Scott Redler will help you answer that question. Scott is the Cofounder of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers and the Chairman of the National Restaurant Association. He’s passionate about doing things the right way, with quality and attention to detail. But he doesn’t just leave it to chance. In this conversation, you’ll see how he’s codified those standards. And you’ll discover how, as a leader, he’s creating a clear picture of what quality means by building it into the culture. You’ll also learn: Why you need a long-term approach to delivering value Advice for anyone who works in a franchise model A helpful process for balancing short-term and long-term decisions A fun (and productive!) way to boost innovation Why you should incentive long-term thinking in 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How do you handle letting people go even when they are talented or really good team players? How have you bounced back from a loss you've experienced in your life? When leaders face traumatic situations with their teams, how do they take care of them in the midst of it? ALSO... Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/ Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/ Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642

The 2023-2024 NFL season kicks off tonight! And behind all the big plays and personalities, there are a LOT of leadership lessons to learn. Starting with today’s guest, Brandon Beane, who’s the General Manager of the Buffalo Bills. His job is to head up all the operations, including trades, drafts, contract negotiation, salary cap management, and – of course – collaborating with the coaches on the roster. THAT is a LOT of things to be good at! And when you hear this conversation with Brandon, you’ll see it doesn’t just happen. He’s very intentional about the way he builds his know-how in all these areas. He’s got the humility to spot what he doesn’t know. And he’s got the confidence to go out and learn it. To grow as a leader and build the career you want, you’ve got to understand where the gaps are in your knowledge and be willing to fill them. Listen to this conversation to see how it’s done! You’ll also learn: Tips for a successful collaborative relationship One key piece of wisdom to help you communicate big “shock-the-system” changes What it’s like behind the scenes of the NFL draft (including the year they got Josh Allen) Practical advice for personnel decisions—even when it means making tough cuts How to recover from a big loss The powerful leadership lessons from Damar Hamlin’s life-and-death situation last season 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What have you learned on the golf course that translates into the business and leadership space? What are some tactics you use to quickly get back on track and regain confidence and self-belief after a setback? When you’re preparing for an important performance on a big stage, what are some of the things you do to get your mind and emotions right? ALSO... Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/ Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/ Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642

“Grit” is one of those buzzwords people throw around a lot. And it can be hard to define! But you know it when you see it – and you can certainly see it in Mike McCoy. This upcoming weekend, Mike has the honor of captaining the U.S. team at the Walker Cup as our top amateurs compete against Great Britain and Ireland at St. Andrews’ legendary Old Course. Mike is one of the world’s top amateur golfers, and he has been for decades. He even earned a coveted amateur spot at the 2014 Masters. And he’s done it all while also building a successful career as an insurance executive! That level of achievement in BOTH areas doesn’t just happen. It takes an elite mentality, a big commitment, and a willingness to do the hard stuff. In other words, it takes grit. In this conversation, you’ll see what grit really looks like and why there is just no substitute for it when it comes to your success. You’ll also learn: Why to prioritize training and preparation for your team The competitive advantage a lot of people shy away from One practical way to help your team deal with setbacks What it’s like playing the Masters as an amateur 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: Are leaders born with natural, God-given talent or can anyone get good at anything with deliberate practice? Will humans be replaced by tech and AI? How would you advise a leader to enhance human capital within their organization? ALSO... Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/ Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/ Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to be excellent at something? If so, you’re going to love this episode with Geoff Colvin. He’s the Senior Editor-at-Large for Fortune magazine and one of the most curious and articulate people I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the years. Geoff is also fascinated by excellence in human performance, especially as it pertains to business leaders. He’s spent decades talking to experts, analyzing research, and asking big questions. Today, you get to benefit from his know-how. If there’s ANYTHING you want to get better at – whether it’s at work or at home – this conversation basically gives you a playbook for it. Plus, we get into some bigger questions around AI and the skills leaders really need to be focusing on right now. Your mind is going to be spinning with big insights – listen now! You’ll also learn: Why talent is overrated (and why that’s good news for you!) The key to improving performance at practically anything The 4 characteristics of practice that actually help you improve Three qualities of a top-notch coach The most important trait for us to develop as AI takes off 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.

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What’s a story from your upbringing that shaped the way you lead today? What would you say to people that argue compensation is the most important retention factor? When a company is doing well and growing, how can a leader create that sense of urgency that continues to drive performance? ALSO... Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/ Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/ Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642

Okay, imagine this… Your alarm goes off at 1 a.m. In an hour, it’s your job to be on the back of a trash pickup truck. Oh, and by the way? You’re one of the top leaders of the company. Believe it or not, that’s exactly what today’s guest did … every week, for seven and a half years! Jim Fish, the CEO of Waste Management, is just that kind of leader – one who spends time on the front lines to be with his team and truly listen to them. Jim is connected to the people he leads, and he’s focused on putting them first when he makes decisions. And he knows that by taking care of his people, they’ll then take care of customers, and that, in turn, provides value to shareholders. It’s a fantastic formula, and it’s inspiring to hear how Jim is putting it to work while also finding new ways to think about sustainability. That includes being the title sponsor of the Waste Management Open on the PGA Tour, which SOMEHOW is a zero waste event despite the 700,000 fans who come for the party. We get into all that and more in this episode, so listen now! You’ll also learn: Two practical ideas to help you deal with a shrinking trade labor pool How to use technology to minimize the impact of turnover How they’ve reduced customer call volume by 25% What really goes into making the Waste Management Open a zero-waste event Four traits of a healthy CEO Tips for assessing risks for your business – and protecting your business from them The weirdest piece of garbage they’ve ever seen 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.