
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

Mar 31, 2025 • 10min
3 More Questions (Pat Battle) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Discover how to prepare for pushback when pioneering new initiatives as a leader. Learn what to consider for integrating and retaining employees post-acquisition. Dive into the most common reasons teams and businesses fail, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and community ties. Explore the transition challenges faced by Yum! Brands and the vital role of effective leadership in fostering confidence and talent retention in organizations.

24 snips
Mar 27, 2025 • 59min
#232: Pat Battle, Executive Chairman of Diamond Baseball Holdings – Optimism is a competitive advantage
Pat Battle, Executive Chairman of Diamond Baseball Holdings, champions optimism as a crucial asset in business. He discusses how a positive mindset can transform minor league baseball through community engagement and innovation. Listeners will learn about revitalizing customer experiences, effective negotiation tips, and the importance of trust in teamwork. Battle also shares insights on strategic growth in the baseball industry, emphasizing collaboration with local leaders and the value of underutilized assets. It's a blend of sports passion and practical leadership wisdom!

Mar 24, 2025 • 10min
3 More Questions (Chrissy Taylor) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Discover insights on successful franchising and the importance of treating franchisees as partners. Learn how stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to significant career growth. Explore the unique leadership journey of a third-generation CEO navigating her family business. Understand the power of a people-first culture in fostering team commitment and customer satisfaction. The hosts share personal anecdotes that bring these leadership lessons to life, making the conversation both relatable and engaging.

Mar 20, 2025 • 58min
#231: Chrissy Taylor, President and CEO of Enterprise Mobility – Your people are your secret sauce
What if I told you your biggest competitive advantage is something you’ve already got?For Chrissy Taylor, the President and CEO of Enterprise Mobility, the 90,000 people who work at her company are what she calls “her secret sauce.”And in today’s episode, you’ll learn how to support your team and build a culture that drives growth, delights customers, and finds new ideas. Plus, Chrissy’s positive energy is guaranteed to (sorry for the pun, but) pick you up! You’ll also learn:
What many companies overlook when they reposition their brand
One tip for being a better communicator (and anyone can do it)
An idea to build mentorship into your culture
What Chrissy learned in the 17 Enterprise jobs she had before becoming CEO
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each dayWhichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.Connect with David:Keep Up with David on LinkedInFollow David on TwitterThe How Leaders Lead InstagramView insightful clips on TikTokWatch full interviews on YouTubeGet the USA Today Bestselling Book "How Leaders Learn"

Mar 17, 2025 • 10min
3 More Questions (Hayes Barnard) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What do you think about Hayes' belief that adversity is his advantage?
What’s a story from your career where you had to lean on the company’s purpose to get the business back on track?
What is it that you love so much about being from the Midwest?
———GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Mar 13, 2025 • 53min
#230: Hayes Barnard, Founder & CEO of GoodLeap – Purpose creates connection
If you think “purpose” is just a bland little word for your mission statement, don’t miss this episode with Hayes Barnard, the founder, Chairman, and CEO of GoodLeap, which helps homeowners finance upgrades that make their homes more sustainable.Listen and see how purpose is a powerful force that helps you make connections, build teams, and drive more innovation.You’ll also learn:
What he learned about marketing from Elon Musk
Why feeling like an underdog might be your biggest advantage
The mindset you need to keep pushing, even after success
The AI lifehack that’s like having “a genius in your pocket”
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each dayWhichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.Connect with David:Keep Up with David on LinkedInFollow David on TwitterThe How Leaders Lead InstagramView insightful clips on TikTokWatch full interviews on YouTubeGet the USA Today Bestselling Book "How Leaders Learn"

Mar 10, 2025 • 12min
3 More Questions (Glenn Fogel) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What is your favorite travel story?
What’s your stance on finding the balance between being centralized versus decentralized when you have multiple brands under the same roof? Which is better?
What do you think about Glenn's quote, "In god we trust … everyone else bring data”?
———GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

Mar 6, 2025 • 1h 7min
#229: Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking Holdings (Booking.com, Kayak, Priceline, OpenTable) – Know what you don’t know
Great companies aren’t built by ego. They’re built by leaders who ask questions, listen, and rely on the smart people around them.And this episode’s guest is one of those leaders! Glenn Fogel is the CEO of Booking Holdings, the company behind big travel brands like Booking dot com, Kayak, Priceline, and OpenTable. Having been at the company for 25 years, Glenn’s got a lot of experience to draw on. Yet he’s the first to admit when something isn’t his area of expertise. And instead of guessing, he trusts the experts on his team to guide the way.If you want to know the secret to staying humble and building an engaged team, hit play and discover the power of knowing what you don’t know!You’ll also learn:
The importance of data (with one big caveat)
How to push for innovation in a successful, established company
The #1 mistake companies make after an international acquisition
The mindset you need for painful decisions
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each dayWhichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.Connect with David:Keep Up with David on LinkedInFollow David on TwitterThe How Leaders Lead InstagramView insightful clips on TikTokWatch full interviews on YouTubeGet the USA Today Bestselling Book "How Leaders Learn"

Mar 3, 2025 • 15min
3 More Questions (Lynsi Snyder) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Discover the concept of 'customer mania' and its transformative impact on business culture. Explore how emotional connections can elevate team dynamics and enhance customer loyalty. Dive into In-N-Out Burger's intriguing decision to forgo mobile ordering in favor of personal interactions, emphasizing brand identity. Learn about the balance between maintaining heritage and fostering innovation within a company, revealing how core values drive success in the restaurant industry.

15 snips
Feb 27, 2025 • 51min
#228: Lynsi Snyder, Owner and President of In-N-Out Burger – Loyalty is a two-way street
Lynsi Snyder, Owner and President of In-N-Out Burger, shares her journey in leading a family-owned business known for exceptional customer loyalty. She highlights the importance of genuine care and quality service, revealing insights on balancing growth with product excellence. Listeners will learn why In-N-Out resists mobile ordering, emphasizing face-to-face interactions. Additionally, Lynsi discusses how family influences shaped her leadership style and the significance of vulnerability and communication in fostering a strong company culture.