How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Today’s guest is Johnny Taylor, President & CEO of SHRM, the Society of Human Resource Management, which is the association for over 300,000 human resource officers in 165 countries.The formula for success in any business is to get your people capability right. That’s how you’re going to satisfy more customers. That’s how you make more money. And more importantly, that’s how you make a bigger difference in the world.When it comes to getting your people right, Johnny Taylor has figured out a huge piece of the puzzle. And it’s something a lot of us overlook: empathy. Not sympathy! But empathy – the ability to see a situation from someone else’s perspective and respond with compassion. He says empathy isn’t just a mushy feeling or moral idea. It’s a business skill – something we actively need to be working toward in our organizations and developing in our leaders. If you’re not sure how to do that, don’t miss this episode!You’ll also learn: Three benefits of remote work (and one huge danger)  The paradigm shift every HR department needs in order to shake the bad rap The #1 reason you’re overlooking great talent How to keep your best people Specific ideas to drive diversity and inclusion 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.

Today’s guest is Jimmy Dunne. He’s the Vice Chairman and Senior Managing Principal at Piper Sandler. He was one of the founders of Sandler O'Neill + Partners which was acquired by Piper Jaffray in 2020.He is renowned for how he led his firm in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Sixty-six of his associates tragically died that day, including the firm’s founder Herman Sandler and Jimmy’s best friend Chris Quackenbush. Jimmy made the incredible decision early on in the wake of the attacks that the firm needed to provide for the families of fallen associates, including a college education for every child who lost a parent. Jimmy’s ability to anticipate the needs of others not only helped him lead through the crisis, but also helped him prepare for that awful day before it even arrived. And it’s a wonderful reminder for all of us to look out for the people we serve by thinking about what they need even before they do.It’s such a privilege to talk to Jimmy today and I know you are going to be so inspired by his incredible empathy and humility.  You’ll also learn: An honest reflection on what it was like to lead after the devastating losses his firm suffered in the 9/11 attacks What to rely on when you’re not feeling confident or at your best  The importance of responsibility, especially in tough situations What you should never do when you make a mistake – and what to do instead 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.

One of your most important jobs as a leader is to define reality. You have to figure out what is really happening in your organization if you want to make it better.And today’s guest is Alberto Carvalho, the Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and someone who knows exactly how to define reality.He leads the fourth largest school district in the nation, and it’s quite the success story today. But it sure wasn’t when Alberto took charge. Schools were failing. The finances were an absolute mess. And there was a real lack of conviction in leadership positions.Alberto had to define a tough reality at Miami-Dade. But once he understood what wasn’t working, he used it as the foundation for their turnaround – and you’ll hear exactly how he’s done it. This conversation is going to give you the inspiration and courage you need to tackle whatever tough reality you may be facing right now.You’ll also learn: One breakthrough idea to help you build unity in your top leadership team What to do when a major disruption hits your space (instead of panicking or giving up) Practical ways to bust through bureaucracy and eliminate roadblocks Why it’s so crucial for kids to learn about leadership while they’re young 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.

Today’s guest is hall of fame and former world #1 tennis player, Andy Roddick. You may remember him destroying opponents with his serve, or winning the 2003 US Open, or even hosting Saturday Night Live! But these days, he’s doing all kinds of other fun stuff. He’s the CEO of the Andy Roddick Foundation, which supports kids in low-income communities. He’s co-founded two companies, one in healthcare and another in commercial real estate. And if all that weren’t enough, he has also launched Sweetens Cove Spirits and is out there making Tennessee bourbon!Can you imagine pivoting from what you’ve known your whole life and jumping headfirst into one new situation after the other? Andy knows what it’s like to feel out of place and uncomfortable doing something new. But he also knows what it takes to get comfortable. He asks lots of questions. He prepares diligently. And he knows how to develop the right relationships. Every leader finds themselves in new situations, where we don’t know the lay of the land. This conversation will show you exactly how to navigate those situations.You’ll also learn: How to overcome the resistance of getting into a new venture you don’t understand A mindset shift that will change the way you think about preparation The power of a simple ritual to stay mentally resilient The surprising benefits of productive conflict and how to lean into it 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.

Today’s guest is Becky Frankiewicz, President of ManpowerGroup North America, which is the leading workforce solutions company in the world.Now when she took the job, she was stepping into a whole new world. Why? Because Becky actually made a name for herself in various marketing, sales, and finance roles at PepsiCo. And not every leader can go from finding breakthrough marketing ideas for snacks to leading a workforce solutions company! But Becky is one of the most creative problem solvers around. She has a really clear grasp of what she’s good at. And with that, she’s confidently taking all those skills she developed in the consumer world and using them to help connect workers to jobs.This conversation will help you understand the trends and big ideas in today’s workforce – including artificial intelligence, and career training, and managing multiple generations.Plus, it will inspire you to learn what makes you truly unique in the workforce – so you can thrive in any career you pursue, too.You’ll also learn: 3 major workforce insights you need to know to be prepared for the future One trick to get to the heart of an issue so you truly solve the problem The #1 thing you need to do as a company to truly attract great talent The big danger we risk if we don’t give or ask for feedback 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.

​​Today’s guest is Timo Boldt, Founder and CEO of Gousto, the largest meal kit company in the United Kingdom, which Timo founded at the ripe old age of 27. In the last seven years, its valuation has grown to over one billion dollars! That is some seriously impressive growth. And you’re going to love hearing how Timo and his team have done it. He is constantly pushing himself and his company to grow and get better. They’ve been through all the standard founder-led challenges and have come through them with a culture that’s obsessed with delivering great value, working collectively, and dreaming big dreams.It takes a lot of intention to push yourself and stretch your beliefs. But it’s worth it. Because to paraphrase Timo, setting mediocre targets is a really good way to get mediocre results!This conversation is basically a blueprint you can follow if you want to find creative ways to stretch yourself and your team and go for big goals.You’ll also learn: The most crucial aspect of leadership that no one will teach you at business school How to push for high performance while still being supportive of your team The #1 mistake every founder should avoid when making their first senior hire  One practical (and fun) strategy any leader can use to stay connected to a fast-growing business Why feedback to your employees isn’t enough – and how to actually apply it 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.

In this special episode of the How Leaders Lead podcast, listeners will learn that all top leaders are incredible “AVID LEARNERS” - people who’ve demonstrated a real commitment to continuous learning throughout their careers. They all learn by DOING. They all ASK a lot of QUESTIONS and LISTEN CLOSELY for real insights. And at some stage of their career, each of them has learned from FAILURE. So subscribe, and we’ll deliver more impactful – and actionable – insights as the year continues!

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with today’s guest, Lonnie Ali.She’s the wife of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and a powerful leader in her own right. She incorporated, built, and sold, Greatest of All Time, Inc. and also founded the Muhammad Ali Center, which is a nonprofit museum and cultural center devoted to inspiring the world through Muhammad Ali’s legacy.Lonnie is an extraordinary leader with a big heart and a clear moral compass. It’s easy to see why she and the GOAT had such a great partnership. If you need a jolt of inspiration in your life, this is the conversation for you. It’s going to remind you that the best things in life and business often happen when we give without expecting something in return. Plus Lonnie shares a few beautiful stories of Muhammad Ali, including the backstory of when he lit the Olympic torch at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.You’ll also learn: The practical things we can do each day to make sure we lead with a moral compass Why self-belief is important – but not enough – for success The hidden power of gratitude for leaders Beautiful and inspiring stories of the GOAT himself, Muhammed Ali 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.

Today’s guest is Bob Greifeld, the former CEO of NASDAQ. These days, the NASDAQ is a powerhouse market. But that was not the case when Bob took over. It was small and struggling. During his time in charge, he grew the market by a whopping 2000%, attracting companies like Apple, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon. In this conversation, we go behind the scenes of that amazing turnaround. You can see for yourself how Bob’s relentless focus and drive helped make it happen.If you’ve ever looked at a big project or even just your day’s to-do list and felt overwhelmed, this conversation is going to help you tap into that power of focus, too. You’ll also learn: What you absolutely have to do in your first 100 days in a new job A specific formula to balance promoting from within versus hiring from outside How to sift through your to-do list to determine what you should actually work on What you’re really trusting when you go with your gut 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.

Today’s guest is Jeff Lawson, the co-founder & CEO of Twilio, one of the world’s fastest growing technology companies. Millions of software developers use their platform to add communications to apps and websites we all use, like airbnb and Lyft.Jeff has a unique point of view as an entrepreneur. He has a foot in both the technical developer world AND the executive world. So if you need to make your business more digital or get more from your technical talent, then his perspective is going to be invaluable to you.But he may also challenge you a bit. So often in business we get wrapped up in our solutions – features, shiny products, sales roll-outs, and all that good stuff.But in all our obsession over the solution, we often overlook the problem. What huge unsolved issue is out there that customers are struggling with every day? Jeff says THAT’S what we should all be looking for. And if you want to find it, this conversation is a great place to start.You’ll also learn: Two things you can take away from any startup experience, even if it doesn’t work out  How to structure teams so even big companies can stay agile and innovative One often-overlooked insight to getting the most out of your technical talent How to inject accountability and leadership at every level of your organization 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.