David Novak

How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Business EN ↓ 465 episodes

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 pers...

Author

David Novak

Category

Business

Podcast website

howleaderslead.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

3 More Questions (Steve Duncker) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 10.06.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What advice would you give to someone in a large firm looking to differentiate themselves while also being a team player?  What would you have done in Steve's situation where he went from an incredibly strong company to one on the brink of bankruptcy? What do you believe has made Steve successful in these different industri...

#190: Steve Duncker, former Chairman of NYRA – One size doesn’t fit all 06.06.2024

Every leader has their own style and their own way of leading. And that’s true – but sometimes, you have to adapt that style, depending on who and where you’re leading. If you want to learn how it’s done, listen to this episode with Steve Duncker. He’s a former partner at Goldman Sachs and the former Chairman of the New York Racing Association, which operates the three largest thoroughbred horse r...

A *Very* Special Edition of 3 More Questions with David Novak and Koula Callahan 03.06.2024

On this very special edition of 3 More Questions, you'll hear some behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of David's brand new book "How Leaders Learn." If you don't already have your copy, head over to Amazon and order yours today: https://www.amazon.com/dp/164782754X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_T2X790FAP8VQ8PQWKPRD ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Lea...

#189: David Novak, Cofounder and former CEO of Yum! Brands – Be an active learner 30.05.2024

Today’s guest isn’t a guest at all. It’s David Novak himself! We’re turning the tables and putting David in the hot seat, so you can hear more about how he leads. This conversation is full of stories and insights into how he’s leveraged the superpower of being an active learner in order to drive success, both as the CEO of Yum! Brands but also now with David Novak Leadership.  If you want to learn...

3 More Questions (Steve Squeri) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 27.05.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What are other ways leaders can show their people that they’re acting on the feedback they receive? What’s your take on Steve wanting the organization to operate more as an enterprise as opposed to individual business units that competed against each other? How should a leader adjust their approach to leading people who hav...

#188: Steve Squeri, Chairman and CEO of AMEX – Make self-reflection a habit 23.05.2024

As leaders, we all want to get better. But we often overlook the level of self-reflection it takes to actually improve. It can be really uncomfortable to ask for feedback and reflect honestly on your shortcomings. If you want to learn to embrace self-reflection and feedback, listen to this episode with Steve Squeri, the CEO and Chairman of American Express. He’s a phenomenal example of how that mi...

3 More Questions (Rory McIlroy) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 20.05.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What is your take on how to handle business relationships with close friends … ? Are there certain boundaries you have to have to maintain the friendship while also working together? What can other leaders learn from Rory's approach to goal setting?  How do leaders find the balance between having conviction in their points...

#187: Rory McIlroy, Professional golfer – Be open-minded 16.05.2024

Is it a sign of weakness to change your mind? Sure, leaders need to have the courage of their convictions. But often, good leadership means hearing others’ perspectives and letting your perspective evolve as you get more information. Nobody understands that better than professional golfer Rory McIlroy, who, like all pro players, has had to navigate the seismic conflict between PGA Tour and the LIV...

3 More Questions (Val Ackerman) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 13.05.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: Can you explain what you mean when you say “involving others” is a key pillar in your leadership framework?  What would you say to leaders who are tasked with recruiting people when their organization might not be performing at its potential? What are the things YOU focus on when assembling a team of great talent? ——— GO DE...

#186: Val Ackerman, Commissioner of the Big East Conference – Respect your team 09.05.2024

If you want to accomplish something big, you won’t get very far without a team.  And Val Ackerman knows a LOT about the power of teamwork. She’s the Commissioner of the Big East Conference and one of the executives behind the iconic “Dream Team” at the ‘96 Olympics. She was also the first-ever President of the WNBA. And as the new WNBA season tips off May 14th, it’s the perfect opportunity to sit...

3 More Questions (Bill Mudd) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 06.05.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How do you lead in rooms where the people you're talking to know more about a subject than you? What kept you up at night when you were running a massive business at Yum! Brands with 1.5 million employees? What do you think of Bill's thoughts about innovation and galvanizing your team around the right kind of ideation? ———...

#185: Bill Mudd, President & COO at Churchill Downs – Operations are key to customer experience 02.05.2024

What does it take to create a memorable customer experience? A lot of leaders think it’s just about branding and customer service, but they’re missing an important piece of the puzzle. In this episode with Churchill Downs COO Bill Mudd, you’ll see how the right operational processes and systems are key to wowing your customers. You’ll also learn: How to put structure around your operational priori...

3 More Questions (Hal Rosenbluth) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 29.04.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What process did you use when you had 1.5 million employees across the world to ensure your cultural values were implemented globally? How do you know when it’s time for someone to move on … or if they just need a bit of coaching to get back on track? What would you say to leaders who find it hard to implement change or inn...

#184: Hal Rosenbluth, Chairman & CEO of New Ocean Health Solutions — Challenge the status quo 25.04.2024

It’s risky for leaders to be too content with the status quo. If you’re not pushing forward, then you’re probably missing opportunities and failing to spot threats. In this week’s episode, see what it looks like to challenge the status quo by learning from Hal Rosenbluth. He’s currently the Chairman & CEO of New Ocean Health Solutions, and he’s built his career by not being afraid to shake things...

3 More Questions (Kevin Hochman) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 22.04.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How much value should leaders place on making FUN part of their culture? How should leaders evaluate their menu of products as they think about scaling their business? What else would you tell leaders to consider when driving innovation? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders L...

#183: Kevin Hochman, CEO of Brinker International (Chili’s and Maggiano’s) – Strengthen core functions by making tough cuts 18.04.2024

When people talk about cutting and simplifying parts of your business, it can feel scary.  But as you’ll hear in this conversation, that’s what you’ve got to do if you want to free up resources for the BIG things that really drive BIG growth. You’ll also learn: The first thing to do in a new role (especially a turnaround) A powerful insight on pricing strategy Three keys to smarter innovation What...

3 More Questions (Jon Rahm) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 15.04.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What is your favorite Masters memory? How would you advise leaders to tackle criticism after having changed their minds? What’s your mental process for staying focused when coming down the proverbial stretch in business? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Downloa...

#182: Jon Rahm, Professional golfer and defending Masters champion — Own your decisions 11.04.2024

A big part of any leader’s job is to make decisions. But making a decision is just the beginning. You’ve also got to own your decisions. Listen to this episode with professional golfer and defending Masters Champion Jon Rahm to see what that looks like—and why it’s crucial to your success. You’ll also learn: The power of setting short-term goals One surprising insight about happiness  Practical wa...

3 More Questions (Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 08.04.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can leaders eliminate silos and bureaucracy so that the right information gets to each department in the company? What advice can you give leaders about how to price their products competitively? Where should leaders look when they’re trying to innovate while also staying true to their core brand and product? ——— GO DEE...

#181: Warby Parker Cofounders and Co-CEOs, Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa – Information has to travel quickly 04.04.2024

When information doesn’t get to the right people at the right time, it’s a recipe for disaster.  People can’t make smart decisions. It creates unnecessary conflict. And teams end up siloed and not aligned.  If you want to make sure information is moving fast in your organization, listen to this conversation with Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, the co-CEOs of the incredibly successful eyeglass com...

#180: The Best Of Q1 28.03.2024

In this episode, we take all the great wisdom from the last three months and highlight the most impactful takeaways for you. The Best Of Q1 features leadership insights from these incredible leaders: Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle Deion Sanders, University of Colorado Head Football Coach Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Former CEO of Celebrity Cruises Dan Hurley, UConn Men's Basketball Head Coach Tim Schurrer, A...

3 More Questions (Matt Doherty) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 25.03.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What advice do you have for leaders who are recruiting in very competitive industries?   What advice do you have for leaders who are managing change within their organizations? How should a leader handle the relationship with their predecessor when he or she is still very much involved in the organization that they’re runni...

#179: Matt Doherty, author and former head basketball coach at North Carolina — Look for the opportunities in adversity 21.03.2024

If you lead long enough, you’re bound to find yourself in a situation that’s hard, unfair, or even downright painful. In those moments of adversity, how do you respond? And what can you learn from them?  This week’s episode gives you an honest, vulnerable look into those questions and can help you uncover the opportunities waiting in whatever adversity you’re dealing with. You’ll also learn: The b...

3 More Questions (Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders) with David Novak and Koula Callahan 18.03.2024

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can leaders stay steady and consistent after really high highs or really low lows? How does a leader instill that sense of want and drive in their people? How should leaders go about processing what others would see as a failure? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead...

#178: Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, NFL Hall of Famer and Head Football Coach at the University of Colorado – Even if you’re broken, keep moving 14.03.2024

It’s Prime Time, baby! Get inside the mind of one of the most charismatic and inspirational leaders out there—the one and only Deion Sanders. If you’re trying to make big changes, level up your leadership, or get motivated, this conversation is the inspiration you need to do it. You’ll also learn: One habit every great communicator has Why it’s important to define what a “win” is for your team How...

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