How Leaders Lead with David Novak

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can leaders empower their people to own decisions while still ensuring they deliver on what matters most? How can leaders avoid over-indexing on data and still keep people at the heart of decision making? What are the most important ways a leader can set the right tone? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2...

If your smartest people aren’t stepping up, maybe it’s time to look in the mirror. In this episode, David sits down with Greg Johnson, the Chairman of Franklin Templeton and principal owner of the San Francisco Giants. Greg shares why ownership—not control—is the key to building high-performing teams and retaining top talent. Whether you lead in finance, sports, or anywhere in between, you’ll walk...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: Why might it be smart to lean into a leadership role before it's officially yours? How do developmental initiatives help newly promoted leaders transition into their new roles while maintaining strong relationships with former peers? Why are simple team member exercises like listing out responsibilities so powerful? ——— GO...

Why do good teams sometimes fall short? Too often, leaders blame the people — when the real problem is the system they’re working in. In this episode, Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright shares how operational clarity can unlock performance across your organization.  This conversation is packed with practical insights to help you eliminate friction and elevate your team’s performance. You’ll also learn:...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How does someone deal with the pressures of figuring out their path early in their career? How does a "shadow role" help prepare both the individual and the company for a smooth leadership transition? How does the paradigm of having either a one-way door or a two-way door decision empower employees within a big company like...

It’s easy to say you care about customers. But how do you actually make decisions with them in mind? In this episode, David sits down with Amazon CEO Andy Jassy for a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s biggest companies keeps customer focus at the heart of everything, from product launches to leadership culture. You’ll also learn:  The two documents you need before you launch anythin...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: Do leaders need to be readily available, or is there a line? What can other leaders learn from how Ed navigated the reinvention of the company? What would you say to leaders facing unimaginable personal or professional hardship about how to keep going when it all feels like too much? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership s...

Ever catch yourself coasting after a big win? That’s the moment today’s guest would tell you to push even harder. In this episode of How Leaders Lead, Delta CEO Ed Bastian shares how he keeps one of the world’s most awarded airlines moving forward—without getting complacent. You’ll see how his mindset of continuous improvement shapes Delta’s culture, sharpens performance, and helps his team stay a...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What happens when a leader’s reputation is attacked for something they may not have even done? If you were Frank's mentor, what would you have told him when he had a major setback in starting his new company? Is there a point where involving the team in too many decisions can actually slow down momentum? ——— GO DEEPER Scale...

Want to build the working relationships that open doors—and keep them open? In this episode of How Leaders Lead, David talks with Frank Edwards, Managing Partner of Aqueduct Capital Group. You’ll see how Frank has built a stellar reputation—not through flashy networking, but by showing up consistently, giving credit freely, and treating every relationship with long-term respect. It’s a masterclass...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What would you say to leaders who are trying to fight for eyeballs?   In your experience, what should a leader do to drive a results driven culture? As a leader, how do you handle a situation where you didn’t have anything to do with a mistake? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Le...

If your team isn’t delivering, it might not be a lack of effort or strategy. It might be a lack of clarity. In this episode, David sits down with media and entertainment legend Mark Shapiro. He’s the President and COO of TKO and the President and Managing Partner of WME Group, and prior to that helped lead ESPN and Six Flags.  He shares how clear expectations and feedback are key to creating momen...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What’s your take on Dave’s advice to take on three roles at once to move up, and how do you think about moving up in a company? Why do you like Dave's method of evaluating leaders on a 2 dimensional axis? How can leaders make sure that they’re getting the whole story and that they have all the information they need to make...

Feel like you’ve hit a ceiling in your career? Your boldest ideas might be the thing that breaks through—but only if you say them out loud. In this episode, Dave McKay, President and CEO of RBC, shares why going public with big goals isn’t just bold. It’s strategic. Learn how clarity and ambition can rally your team, attract top talent, and accelerate your growth. Oh and yes, there’s a Taylor Swif...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What advice do you have for leaders looking to successfully integrate younger talent with a long-standing legacy workforce? How do you rally an organization to move faster—without pushing people to the point of burnout? What does it take to effectively balance the short-term demands with the long-term vision when leading a...

Ever made a decision based on limited info, internal spin, or wishful thinking? You’re not alone—but there’s a better way. In this episode, David sits down with General Motors Chair and CEO, Mary Barra. She shares how a relentless commitment to the truth leads to better decisions, stronger teams, and a culture built on trust. If you want to lead with more clarity and less guesswork, don’t miss thi...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about how to handle failure? What tools do you use to maintain a positive mindset when things are hard? How does Danny's "pressure is a privilege" concept apply to leadership? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app...

Feeling stuck in a rut? Not sure how to improve your performance? You might be missing one powerful habit—tracking your own progress!  In this episode, David sits down with professional golfer and 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett. He shares how taking notes on his golf game (and his life!) has helped him grow through wins, setbacks, and everything in between. You’ll also learn: Where confidence...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: As a leader, when you do something that’s never been done before…how do you prepare for the potential pushback? What should leaders consider when deciding how to integrate and retain employees after an acquisition? Based on all the teams and businesses you’ve studied throughout your life, what would you say is the single mo...

Optimism isn’t just a fluffy feel-good feeling. It’s a real asset in business. Learn how to make it your competitive advantage in this conversation with Pat Battle, Executive Chairman of Diamond Baseball Holdings, a company that owns 45 of the 120 minor league baseball teams. You’ll also learn: Why a job change between industries might not be as hard as you think Two questions that will revitalize...

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What did you teach Chrissy's team about how to franchise well? What would be your advice to someone who’s wanting to take on new roles in a company? What do you think it is about Enterprise and Chrissy’s leadership that has allowed them to continue to see success?  ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes...

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 positi...

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 th...

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 learne...

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...