How Leaders Lead with David Novak #262: Lew Frankfort, Chairman Emeritus and former CEO of Coach – Combine magic and logic
Oct 23, 2025
Lew Frankfort, the visionary former CEO of Coach, transformed a modest leather goods brand into a global fashion leader. He shares insightful experiences from his Bronx upbringing and public service that shaped his career. His unique 'Magic + Logic' philosophy interweaves creativity with analytical rigor, a perspective that drove Coach's 'accessible luxury' concept. Lew also discusses the importance of self-reflection and evolving leadership styles, emphasizing vulnerability and continuous learning as keys to successful leadership.
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Guidance Counselor Moment That Changed Everything
- Lou's guidance counselor told his mother he should go to vocational school, not college.
- His mother insisted he go to college and that belief changed his path.
Cleaning Up A Toxic Public Agency
- Lou ran daycare and Head Start during NYC's fiscal crisis and cleaned up a center plagued by scandal.
- He built a coalition, used metrics, and kept eligible children in care while making necessary cuts.
Investigative Curiosity Framework
- Investigative curiosity means breaking a situation into product, brand, consumer, and marketplace.
- Lou used that frame to study why customers loved Coach and to spot growth opportunities.
