
How Leaders Lead with 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.
Latest episodes

Apr 15, 2024 • 12min
3 More Questions (Jon Rahm) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
David Novak shares his favorite Masters memory, advises leaders on handling criticism after changing their minds, and discusses his mental process for staying focused in business. The podcast also explores the importance of decisiveness, explanation, and commitment in leadership and business.

Apr 11, 2024 • 1h 4min
#182: Jon Rahm, Professional golfer and defending Masters champion — Own your decisions
Listen to professional golfer and defending Masters Champion Jon Rahm as he discusses the power of setting short-term goals, shares surprising insights about happiness, offers practical tips for work-life balance, and reveals stories from the 2023 Masters tournament. Learn why owning decisions is crucial to success in leadership and golf.

Apr 8, 2024 • 12min
3 More Questions (Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, co-founders of Warby Parker, discuss leadership with David Novak. They explore breaking down silos in companies, pricing strategies, and balancing innovation with brand consistency. The podcast provides insights on fostering collaboration, competitive advantage, and customer experience focus.

Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 3min
#181: Warby Parker Cofounders and Co-CEOs, Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa – Information has to travel quickly
Warby Parker's Co-CEOs Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa discuss the importance of fast information flow for smart decision-making and unity in organizations. They highlight strong partnerships, brand identity for creativity, handling disagreements, and success in retail. Explore their journey revolutionizing the glasses industry and maintaining a successful co-CEO dynamic.

4 snips
Mar 28, 2024 • 32min
#180: The Best Of Q1
Leadership insights from a diverse range of guests including CEOs, coaches, and military leaders. Topics cover learning from failures, leadership in sports, nurturing a culture of continual learning, discovering key customer segments, and reflecting on memories and positivity.

Mar 25, 2024 • 15min
3 More Questions (Matt Doherty) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
The podcast discusses advice for leaders recruiting in competitive industries, managing organizational change, and handling relationships with predecessors. It also explores personalized recruiting, creating a burning platform for change, and embracing legacy and learning from predecessors in leadership transitions.

34 snips
Mar 21, 2024 • 1h 1min
#179: Matt Doherty, author and former head basketball coach at North Carolina — Look for the opportunities in adversity
Former head basketball coach at North Carolina, Matt Doherty, shares insights on overcoming adversity and finding opportunities. Learn about accountability in leadership, practical sales tips, winning a national title with Michael Jordan, and dealing with getting fired.

Mar 18, 2024 • 11min
3 More Questions (Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Leadership tips and insights from David Novak including staying consistent after highs/lows, instilling drive in teams, and processing failures. Also, reflections on motivation, turning failure into progress, and wisdom from a football coach on overcoming nerves and setting high standards.

Mar 14, 2024 • 60min
#178: Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, NFL Hall of Famer and Head Football Coach at the University of Colorado – Even if you’re broken, keep moving
Get inside the mind of Deion Sanders, a charismatic and inspirational leader, as he shares insights on communication, defining team wins, leading without authority, and the mentality needed for a turnaround. Learn how to level up your leadership skills and stay motivated from this engaging podcast conversation.

Mar 11, 2024 • 10min
3 More Questions (Michelle Korsmo) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
David Novak discusses the importance of evaluating teams, defining vision, and having a flexible business strategy. He also gives advice on uniting and engaging people across different sectors. The podcast emphasizes the key strategies for fostering a positive work environment and aligning people with strategic goals.