

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

Jul 23, 2021 • 52min
#46: Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali Center Director & Vice Chair—Give Without Expecting Something in Return
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.

Jul 22, 2021 • 48min
#45: Bob Greifeld, NASDAQ former CEO—Focus Relentlessly on High Leverage Tasks
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.

Jul 8, 2021 • 1h 1min
#44: Jeff Lawson, Twilio Cofounder & CEO—Dig for Problems and Then Solve Them
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.

Jun 24, 2021 • 59min
#43: Wendy Clark, Dentsu International Global CEO—Embrace an Underdog Mindset
Today’s guest is Wendy Clark, Global CEO of Dentsu International, and the first female CEO of a big six global advertising agency. Before that, she did incredible work as a marketing executive at Coca-Cola and AT&T.She’s a giant of the advertising world. She is literally in the hall of fame. But despite all her success, Wendy is the absolute master of embracing the underdog mentality. It’s how she stays motivated, both personally and professionally, and how she continues to over-deliver and outperform.She really is the master of mindset, and she will show you how to lean into the underdog mentality and use it as fuel to work for you.If you’ve ever felt underestimated at work or like the underdog in your industry, then you are going to love this conversation.You’ll also learn:
How to use marketing savvy in a leadership setting so your big ideas connect
Three questions you can ask to evaluate a creative idea
Key insights about social media that every leader should know
A better approach to work and life than “balance”
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.

Jun 10, 2021 • 57min
#42: Mickey Drexler, The Gap, J. Crew & Banana Republic Former CEO—Break the Rules (Sometimes)
Today’s guest is Mickey Drexler, the former CEO of The Gap, J. Crew, and Banana Republic. He’s the legendary king of retail who put all those stores (and several others) on the map. These days he and his son have teamed up to build a new clothing brand called Alex Mill.Mickey is a hard-charging guy with plenty of conviction. When you listen to him, you remember just how compelling it is when a leader has a unique vision and really believes in it. But visionaries like Mickey usually don’t reach the heights they do unless they’re willing to break some rules along the way. You’ll be so inspired by all the stories he tells of times he had to go against the grain in order to see his vision through – including how he helped Steve Jobs shape the timeless clean aesthetic of the very first Apple store.If you’re a rule breaker yourself, you’re going to love this. And if you’re not, you may just want to become one after you listen! You’ll also learn:
Tips for eliciting great creative marketing and advertising work
How to go through the firing process with decency and integrity
Why you need to develop an inner circle of trusted partners
The most important person you need to talk to if you work in retail
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.

Jun 3, 2021 • 52min
#41: Stephen MR Covey, Covey Leadership Center CEO & Bestselling Author—Extend Trust the Smart Way
Today’s guest is Stephen MR Covey. As the CEO of Covey Leadership Center, he built the largest leadership development company in the world, and orchestrated the successful merger of Franklin Covey. He’s also the New York Times bestselling author of the excellent book, Speed of Trust.If you’ve ever felt like your business just doesn’t move fast enough, you’re going to love this conversation.Stephen believes there’s one secret ingredient in a business that can help a team move faster and be more successful.That secret ingredient is trust. And it makes sense, right? If our team members feel like they’re always jumping through hoops and being micromanaged, they’re never going to do their best work. And they’re certainly not going to work quickly.As leaders, it’s up to us to extend that trust to our teams so they can go out and do amazing things. That’s easier said than done, though! How can we trust our teams more while still minimizing risk and keeping people accountable? Stephen is going to help us learn to extend trust the right way. You’ll also learn:
Three ingredients that can build trust on a team – starting in a single day
Why a team with stark differences can be an advantage instead of a liability
Tips to navigate the risks associated with extending trust
The surprising risks of not trusting people (and how you can avoid them)
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.

May 27, 2021 • 54min
#40: Milind Pant, Amway CEO—Build Trust by Building Community
Today’s guest is Milind Pant, CEO of Amway. Amway is the largest direct selling company in the world, with over ONE MILLION independent business owners – a.k.a. entrepreneurs.Milind has tapped into something that’s helping him grow as a leader AND helping his entrepreneurs at Amway grow their businesses.That secret ingredient is community.We all want to do business with people we know and trust.But the big question is … as leaders, how do we build those relationships in today’s digital landscape? How can we develop that sense of community with our customers?If you’re not sure, listen to this episode. There is a wealth of wisdom and inspiration here to help you build trust by building community.You’ll also learn:
A proven blueprint to set yourself up for success in any new role
The opportunity awaiting when social media and e-commerce intersect
The most dangerous thing to avoid in leadership, especially in seasons of big change
How to differentiate your business from a huge competitive force like Amazon
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.

May 13, 2021 • 60min
#39: Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner—Do Small Things With Big Significance
Today’s guest is Cathy Engelbert, the first Commissioner of the WNBA. She is a trailblazer, having also served as the first-ever female CEO of Deloitte. But the WNBA is a whole new challenge. She is leading with an incredible drive, using her “players first” philosophy to take women’s sports to the next level.Cathy knows how to get big things done – and as you’ll hear, it’s often the small things that matter more than we realize. Plus: don’t miss the story of the incredible two-hour conversation Cathy got to have with the late Kobe Bryant.You’ll also learn:
How to build consensus by building relationships
One practical strategy you can use in a new role to create trust with your team
Hard-won advice for aspiring young leaders, especially women
What it’s like behind the scenes of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement
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.

May 4, 2021 • 36min
#38: John “Spider” Miller, Previous Walker Cup Captain—Trust Others With Responsibility
Today’s guest is John “Spider” Miller, a legendary amateur golfer who captained the US team in the 2015 and 2017 Walker Cup.If you have never seen the Walker Cup, it’s a biennial competition where leading amateur golfers of the US go head to head with the best amateurs from Great Britain and Ireland.In both his golf game and his career as a beer distributor, Spider is living proof of the power of responsibility. When we diligently focus on our own duties – and then trust others with theirs – we can accomplish amazing things.Listen to this episode for timeless leadership wisdom, plus some great stories about golf legends like Fuzzy Zoeller, Arnold Palmer, and more.You’ll also learn:
The #1 mindset you need to succeed as a franchisee
What to look for when you hire if you want to build a trustworthy team
The small but powerful trait that speaks volumes about someone’s character
Why giving your team responsibility is one of your key roles as a leader
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.

Apr 29, 2021 • 52min
#37: Daniel Lubetzky, KIND Snacks Founder—Embrace the Philosophy of "And"
Today’s guest is Daniel Lubetzky, Founder of KIND Snacks – which is the fastest growing snack brand in the world.It’s not every day that you can find a snack that’s healthy AND tasty. But as you’re going to hear in this conversation, Daniel is really good at finding a way to advance two seemingly contradictory goals, and it’s been a game changer for both his business and his life.He calls it the philosophy of “AND.” With this insight, you can maximize value with every decision you make. Listen to this conversation to see how you can apply it. Oh, and don’t miss the behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to be a shark on Shark Tank! You’ll also learn:
The #1 trait that levels the playing field for small companies against larger competitors
Indispensable advice for anyone thinking about expanding into a new category
How to build a culture where your team isn’t afraid to disagree with you
What it really means to be kind (and why it’s different than just being nice)
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.


