How Leaders Lead with David Novak #271: Childhood moments that shaped the world’s top leaders
Dec 25, 2025
Join Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, as he shares how his mother's strength shaped his curiosity about leadership. Andy Jassy, Amazon's CEO, reflects on valuable lessons from competitive tennis, emphasizing resilience and focus. Pat Kelsey, head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, recounts the integrity instilled by his disciplined parents and influential coaches. Together, these leaders reveal how childhood experiences shaped their leadership styles and the importance of knowing your own story.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Mother's Stand Shaped Curiosity
- Jamie Dimon recalls his mother throwing wine in his father's face after he called her 'hysterical' and standing up to chauvinism.
- That moment taught him to analyze motivations and shaped his interest in psychology and people.
Curiosity About People Fuels EQ
- Jamie credits reading Freud and business books early for helping him understand how people think and what motivates them.
- That blend of curiosity about people and business influenced his EQ-driven leadership approach.
Tennis Taught Focus And Resilience
- Andy Jassy describes competitive tennis teaching laser focus, resilience, and the need to move on quickly from wins and losses.
- His dad's 'do it fully or don't bother' lesson reinforced commitment and excellence.