

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

Mar 16, 2023 • 60min
#126: Jay Bilas, ESPN basketball analyst – Put substance before style
David Novak talks with Jay Bilas, ESPN basketball analyst, about putting substance before style in basketball and leadership. They discuss the tactics Jay learned playing for Coach K, his self-coaching techniques, and the evolving landscape of college basketball. Jay also shares a hilarious court case involving Barney the purple dinosaur and his transition from lawyer to basketball commentator. Qualities of a good leader are also explored.

Mar 13, 2023 • 13min
3 More Questions (Ray Scott) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Ray Scott, President & CEO of the Lear Corporation, to learn even more about why you should never lose sight of what’s next....BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/

Mar 9, 2023 • 44min
#125: Ray Scott, CEO of Lear Corporation – Never lose sight of what’s next
Today’s guest is Ray Scott, President & CEO of the Lear Corporation.If you’re thinking of jets, think again. This Lear Corporation works in the automotive industry, providing seating and electronic systems to major companies like GM, Ford, BMW and Mercedes. They were also just named one of Fortune’s most admired companies.Since he took over in 2018, Ray has led through COVID, supply chain issues, inflation, and rising fuel prices. It’s really been one challenge after another – maybe you can relate!But Ray hasn’t let those short-term pressures keep him from focusing on long-term strategy. He knows how critical is it to keep innovating and planning so they can be successful when they *do* get out of those tough short-term situations.He’s got some really practical advice for you, too, so hit play on this episode and see the kind of successful culture you can build when you never lose sight of what’s next.You’ll also learn:• The kind of opportunities to look for if you’re ready to grow as a leader• A practical way to structure teams so you balance short-term and long-term thinking• The kind of answer you need to watch out for (and confront) in your next meeting• Why you need to STOP hiring people who think like you• The jaw-dropping innovations coming soon to the seats in your carTake 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.

Mar 6, 2023 • 12min
3 More Questions (Dr. John Noseworthy) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Dr. John Noseworthy, CEO Emeritus of Mayo Clinic to learn even more about improving what’s already working....BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/

Mar 2, 2023 • 51min
#124: Dr. John Noseworthy, CEO Emeritus of Mayo Clinic – Improve what’s already working
Today’s guest is Dr. John Noseworthy, CEO Emeritus of Mayo Clinic.People come from all over the world to get treatment at the Mayo Clinic. It’s always ranked at or near the top of the best hospitals in the country. And it takes a special leader to step into an established organization with a sterling reputation – and make it even better.And Dr. Noseworthy is a special leader!He knew it was critical not only to keep that level of excellence but also to build on it. In his ten years at the helm, he relentlessly drove out inefficiency and waste. That freed up resources they could reinvest in even more of the research and care they’re known for. Now, it wasn’t easy. Change never is! And that’s especially true in an organization like Mayo where people already feel like things are working well.But a great leader drives change even in high performing organizations. Listen to learn how John does it, and how you can do it, too.You’ll also learn:
How to spot and eliminate inefficiency, even in a high-performing culture
Advice for young people who want to find a satisfying career
Practical tips for helping subject-matter experts understand business principles
What he would do about the US healthcare system if he had a magic wand
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.

Feb 27, 2023 • 13min
3 More Questions (Junior Bridgeman) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Junior Bridgeman, former NBA player and leading entrepreneur to learn even more about how to go farther together....BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/

Feb 23, 2023 • 1h 2min
#123: Junior Bridgeman, former NBA player and leading entrepreneur – Go farther together
Today’s guest is Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA player who’s now one of the greatest entrepreneurs in our country.When he retired from the NBA after twelve years, he jumped headfirst into the restaurant business. He eventually owned 450 Wendy’s locations all over the country. And now he's doing it all again, becoming one of the leading Coke bottlers in the U.S. and all of Canada. And if all that weren’t enough, in 2020, he surprised a lot of people when he bought Jet and Ebony after they went into bankruptcy. But as you’ll hear him talk about, Junior sees the opportunity to preserve and amplify the stories those magazines have told over the years – something that’s so important year round but is especially top of mind right now during Black History Month. In fact, Junior was recently honored with Louisville’s prestigious Keepers of the Dream Freedom Award for all the ways he exemplifies the ideals of Martin Luther King, Jr.So, it’s easy to see why Junior Bridgeman is the real deal!And at every step along the way – from playing basketball, to serving his community, to building these incredibly successful businesses – he is ALL about the power of teamwork. As leaders, we use the word “team” a lot, but when you listen to Junior, you realize that true teamwork doesn’t just happen because you’ve assembled a group of people together. It has to be nurtured and led.You’ll hear exactly what Junior does to create that kind of teamwork-driven culture where people feel cared for, and where they’re motivated to go farther, together, than they ever could have by themselves.You’ll also learn:
The practical strategy he used to turn around low-performing stores
Advice for leaders who are naturally quiet or introverted
How to build a culture where people are truly cared for
The key mindset shift every entrepreneur needs to be successful
Behind-the-scenes stories of playing with some NBA legends of the 70s and 80s
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.

Feb 20, 2023 • 14min
3 More Questions (Bill Rhodes) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Bill Rhodes, the CEO of AutoZone, to learn even more about how to value those you lead.If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, sign up here and I'll send a weekly email right to your inbox. By reading these emails each and every week and applying the simple lessons, you'll build the confidence you need to lead well! https://howleaderslead.com/plan

7 snips
Feb 16, 2023 • 1h 2min
#122: Bill Rhodes, CEO of AutoZone – Value those you lead
Today’s guest is Bill Rhodes, the CEO and Executive Chairman of AutoZone.Get this: AutoZone is one of the only companies around who has grown both their earnings per share AND their revenue EVERY year for the past TWENTY years.That kind of consistency is just remarkable.But you won’t hear Bill take the credit for it. For him, it is all about his team and what they can do together. He’s got this deep and genuine admiration for his people, whom he calls AutoZoners. That respect drives how he makes decisions, implements, finds and trains talent, and more.When we truly respect those we lead, we see leadership for the privilege it really is. It’s the secret to getting big things done – and to getting the kind of growth we all want to have. You’ll also learn:
The surprising benefit of a company culture that’s not for everybody
How to grow both a retail and wholesale business
A practical idea to help you find great team members (even in a tough labor market)
What “executive courage” means and how it can change your approach to decisions
How golf helped Bill get his foot in the door at a top accounting firm
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.

Feb 13, 2023 • 18min
3 More Questions (Condoleezza Rice) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, to learn even more about how to play to your strengths.If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan


