How Leaders Lead with David Novak
David Novak
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 1min
#257: Klaus Kleinfeld, Former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa – Purpose channels your energy
Klaus Kleinfeld, the former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa, shares his insights as an author and advisor on purpose-driven leadership. He discusses how to channel energy towards meaningful objectives rather than just pushing harder. Klaus reveals a simple way to assess one's sense of purpose and offers a two-pronged approach for effective decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of kindness, transforming challenges into opportunities, and managing energy across various facets of life. His personal anecdotes enrich the conversation, highlighting leadership principles in both business and family.
Sep 15, 2025 • 9min
3 More Questions (Hayden Brown) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Discover how leaders can cultivate courage and a visionary mindset that fosters innovation. Explore the balance between core teams and freelancers to enhance organizational effectiveness. Delve into the importance of creating a culture that encourages swift conflict resolution, ensuring a harmonious work environment. Hear insights on how inclusivity can enhance workforce dynamics and learn practical techniques to tackle workplace conflicts with confidence.
10 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 57min
#256: Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork – Create clarity for your team
Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork, shares her insights on leading remote teams and embracing clarity in communication. She emphasizes the importance of defining vision and priorities, especially in a fast-changing world. Hayden discusses building strong remote teams and integrating AI into workflows. Drawing from personal experiences, she highlights the challenges female leaders face and stresses the need for self-advocacy. With practical strategies for team agility and innovation, her perspective is invaluable for today’s leaders navigating the complexities of modern work.
Sep 8, 2025 • 14min
3 More Questions (Clark Hunt) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Dive into the excitement of football as the NFL expands globally, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs' upcoming game in Brazil. Explore how leaders can sustain high performance amidst constant change, with insights from the Chiefs' journey. Discover the importance of cultivating a strong team culture and nurturing ambitious goals. Effective communication and humility take center stage, revealing how clear visions and feedback shape inclusive leadership. Finally, learn the delicate balance between confidence and humility that every great leader must master.
21 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 57min
#255: Clark Hunt, Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs – Be quick to give others credit
Clark Hunt, Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs and son of founder Lamar Hunt, shares invaluable insights on building and sustaining a winning culture in the NFL. He discusses the five key elements required for a successful sports dynasty and emphasizes the importance of humility in leadership. Listeners will learn about ensuring cultural continuity amid turnover, the power of listening, and surprising dynamics at NFL owners' meetings. Hunt also recounts his family's legacy and the emotional journey of the Chiefs' Super Bowl victory.
Sep 1, 2025 • 12min
3 More Questions (Tom Hale) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
The discussion kicks off with a fascinating look at the Aura Ring, emphasizing its health benefits and unique market position. They delve into the vital role of leaders as stabilizers for their teams, balancing clarity and hope amid challenges. Strategies for maintaining alignment between mission and profitability are explored, including effective communication and project assessments. Finally, the conversation highlights customer retention tactics, stressing the importance of understanding user segments to sustain market leadership.
21 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 2min
#254: Tom Hale, CEO of Oura – Be a balancing force
Tom Hale, CEO of Oura, leads a pioneering health tech company known for the innovative Oura Ring. He discusses balancing growth with mindful leadership, emphasizing self-awareness and the ring's personalized health insights. Tom shares a game-changing approach for subscription businesses and the importance of customer feedback. He reflects on effective communication and the need for empathy in leadership, as well as how to differentiate in the competitive wearable market. Listeners gain valuable insights into leadership and product development from his unique experiences.
5 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 10min
3 More Questions (Roger Crandall) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Discover how leaders can combat bureaucracy by fostering collaboration and dismantling rigid hierarchies. Learn the art of simplification in decision-making while embracing diverse perspectives for a healthier discussion. The conversation delves into the necessity of continuous growth, adaptability, and reinvention, particularly in the face of new trends like AI. With insights from a notable CEO, this deep dive encourages ongoing personal development as essential to effective leadership.
7 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 54min
#253: Roger Crandall, Chairman, President and CEO of MassMutual – Make the numbers mean something
Roger Crandall, the Chairman, President, and CEO of MassMutual, emphasizes the importance of transforming data into compelling stories to engage teams. He shares insights on dismantling bureaucracy and fostering collaboration in workplace culture. Crandall discusses life insurance's value, integrates noble causes into leadership, and reflects on his journey from early investment lessons to the finance industry. He also addresses the role of AI in insurance, highlighting adaptation and momentum as key leadership strategies in a rapidly changing landscape.
Aug 18, 2025 • 13min
3 More Questions (David Levy) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Discover how pivotal leadership hinges on creating successors and embracing replaceability for career growth. The discussions emphasize the significance of hiring for potential rather than just skills, blending confidence with humility. Learn how fostering an enterprise mindset enhances collaboration across departments. Trusting your gut feeling while balancing intuition with analysis is highlighted as essential for effective decision-making. Tune in for insights on developing both personal and team dynamics in the workplace!
