Leading From "We," Not "I" -- David Novak (Yum! Brands)
May 15, 2024
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David Novak, co-founder of YUM! Brands Inc., shares insights on inclusive leadership, empowering employees, recognizing contributions, and the rise and fall of Crystal Pepsi. He discusses transforming company culture, leadership training, and his philanthropic endeavors.
Leading by bringing everyone along creates successful teams.
Personal challenges highlight the importance of resilience and family.
Self-coaching and self-awareness are essential in leadership for personal growth.
Deep dives
David Novak's Leadership Journey
David Novak, the co-founder and former CEO of Yum Brands, shares his leadership journey encompassing pivotal experiences from working with PepsiCo to transforming KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing employees and promoting a culture of loyalty and motivation among workers.
Family Influence and Resilience
Novak recounts how his upbringing, moving frequently in trailer parks due to his father's work as a government surveyor, shaped his resilience and ability to connect with people. He delves into personal challenges, including his daughter's premature birth and his cancer diagnosis, highlighting the significance of family and overcoming adversity.
Innovative Approach to Leadership Development
Novak stresses the value of self-coaching and self-awareness in leadership by asking probing questions like 'What is getting in the way of my joy?' He outlines daily practices such as gratitude journaling and physical fitness to maintain a positive mindset and drive personal growth.
Leadership Lessons and Team Building
Through anecdotes like the Crystal Pepsi product launch and reshaping KFC's brand image, Novak illustrates the importance of understanding joy blockers and joy builders to motivate and engage employees effectively. He emphasizes the shift from 'me' to 'we' leadership approach for creating successful teams.
Philanthropy and Legacy Building
Novak's commitment to philanthropy through the Lift a Life Foundation, focusing on diabetes care, hunger, education, and veteran support, showcases his dedication to giving back. His daughter's involvement in running the foundation highlights the family's legacy of service and impact on society.
David Novak has been a driving force behind brands like Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, and he co-founded YUM! Brands Inc., one of the biggest players in the quick service restaurant industry. He's written bestsellers including Taking People With You, The Education of an Accidental CEO, and his latest, co-authored with Jason Goldsmith, titled Take Charge of You: How Self Coaching Can Transform Your Life and Career. In this conversation from 2022, Novak shares with Guy how he learned to lead by bringing everybody along with him.