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.
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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.
What does it take to build a dynasty … and keep it going?
Clark Hunt, Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs, shares what it takes to deliver results year after year in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
You’ll go point by point through the five things every dynasty needs—plus hear how humility plays a surprising role in long-term success.
Whether you’re an NFL diehard or just love a good leadership playbook, this episode is the perfect way to kick off the new season.
You’ll also learn:
How to ensure turnover doesn’t disrupt the culture you’re building
Two foundational keys to success many people overlook
Why your org chart might be hurting your ability to land top talent
How Clark’s dad Lamar Hunt coined the term “Super Bowl”
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What habits or practices do you use to stay grounded so you can show up as a counterbalance for your team?
How do great leaders balance mission and performance so they don't lose sight or purpose and profitability?
What levers should leaders be paying attention to in order to keep customers loyal?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
What does it take to grow a breakthrough product … without losing your balance as a leader?
Tom Hale, CEO of Oura, shares how he’s scaling one of the most innovative wellness companies out there—the one behind the popular (and powerful) Oura Ring.
See how he’s constantly calibrating to offer the right blend of support and challenge, value and pricing, innovation and trust. You’re going to love this one, especially if you’re developing a product or running a subscription-based business.
You’ll also learn:
A simple (but game-changing) formula for running a subscription-based business
The management move you need to make if your tech team is lagging
How to think about product value in a fresh (and profitable) way
The #1 skill to develop if you want to be better at everything else
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What can leaders do to ensure bureaucracy doesn’t creep in and take over their company?
What’s your process of evaluating the input of others and how does that ultimately play into the decision you make?
What do you do to reinvent yourself and while staying current?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
As a leader, you’ve got to know your numbers. But you can’t maximize your impact as a leader unless you know how to make those numbers mean something to your team.
In this episode, David talks with Roger Crandall, President and CEO of MassMutual, a leader who blends sharp analytics with powerful storytelling.
You’ll learn how to turn data and revenue goals into human-centered stories that actually move people to act. Plus, Roger shares a thoughtful perspective on AI and leadership that you probably haven’t heard yet.
If you want to lead with more clarity, connection, and purpose (even in a data-driven world), this episode is for you.
You’ll also learn:
Why bureaucracy always tries to sneak back in — and how to stop it
The question you’re probably asking wrong in your one-on-ones
How uncertainty can actually drive your best growth
The trick to keeping your team hungry after a big win
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What's your take on leaders making sure they are replaceable in order to move up the ladder?
What can emerging leaders do to have an impact not only on their team but on people in any division of their organization?
How can leaders learn to trust their gut intuition?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
Have a big idea, but not sure how to make it happen?
David Levy has been there. As Co-CEO of Horizon Sports & Experiences and the former President of Turner Networks, he’s led some of the boldest moves in sports and media.
He forged the landmark March Madness deal that let fans watch every game across CBS and Turner. And now, he’s betting big on new ventures like The Pickleball Slam and Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 pro women’s basketball league.
In this episode, David shares what it really takes to turn vision into action. Learn how to trust your instincts, back bold ideas with confidence, and lead people toward making them happen.
You’ll also learn:
The mark of a great leader (hint: it has nothing to do with your org chart)
Why 100% agreement might be a huge red flag
How to look beyond the obvious for big-growth opportunities
The #1 leadership lesson he learned from Ted Turner
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What would you tell leaders looking to make an industry shift to do in order to prove they have what it takes to get the job done?
How can leaders in the creative space help develop the skill of creativity in their people?
David, what’s a story from your career where you entered into an alien environment, and how’d you navigate it?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
Every leader faces the unknown. The best ones lean into it.
When Peter Cuneo became CEO of Marvel, the company had just emerged from bankruptcy. But under his leadership, it became one of the most valuable entertainment brands in the world. By the time it was sold to Disney, Marvel’s stock had risen from just 96 cents to over $50 a share.
In this episode, Peter shares the bold, practical leadership moves behind that remarkable turnaround—and how embracing the unfamiliar helped him spark innovation, make big bets, and unlock his team’s full potential.
You’ll also learn:
Why your “outsider” status is a secret weapon
What to protect at all costs if you want a creative culture
The strategic thinking behind hiring Robert Downey, Jr. as Ironman
The two culture shifts every turnaround needs
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
Do you agree with the idea that everything someone needs is already inside of them?
How can leaders incorporate mental skills training into their day-to-day routine?
What other methods or frameworks are helpful in building confidence as a leader?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
Most people think confidence and resilience are just part of your personality. But high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais knows better: they’re skills you can train.
In this inspiring and practical conversation, Dr. Gervais shares the same mental strategies he uses to help Super Bowl champions, Olympic gold medalists, and top Fortune 500 CEOs be at their best.
Hit play now and learn how to train your mind and unlock new levels of performance in your work!
You’ll also learn:
A simple process for finding your personal purpose
A better way to think about teams (especially if you're tired of thinking about teams)
How to hack your confidence
The mindset some people dismiss—and top performers rely on
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What’s the most interesting thing you learned about F1 racing from your interview with Zak?
What do you think about clarity beating the consensus in high pressure moments?
How does a leader ensure that every person on the team is tied to the overall performance of the organization?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
You can hire great people and set bold goals … yet still fall short. Why?
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, knows the answer. And it has less to do with talent, and more to do with something most leaders overlook.
This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a high-performance team—and why clarity might be your most powerful tool.
You’ll also learn:
Why exclusivity was hurting the brand—and what fixed it
The mindset you need if you want long-term partnerships
How to make split-second decisions (with wisdom straight from the pit!)
What most leaders miss about gathering real input
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What do you think about edginess in branding and reframing edginess as entertainment?
What advice do you have for leaders trying to build momentum for a brand just starting out?
What can leaders of larger companies do to stay agile and move fast in the same way small companies can?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
They sold a $300 coffin. They made a candle with Ozzy Osbourne’s DNA. And built a $1.4B beverage brand doing it.
Mike Cessario, founder and CEO of Liquid Death, has turned irreverent ideas into a marketing juggernaut. But behind the stunts is a seriously disciplined approach to brand, strategy, and execution.
If you're building a challenger brand—or just trying to make people actually notice your product—don’t miss this episode.
You’ll also learn:
How to earn attention, even on a tiny budget
The kind of “unsafe” marketing ideas that break through the noise
What challenger brands can do to beat the big guys
Why you should market to the customers everyone else ignores
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How can leaders define the concept of "emotional brand equity" in their own brand?
How simple is the turnaround strategy SDSS x2 (“stop doing stupid stuff” … and then “start doing smart stuff”)?
How do you know when to listen to data and when to rely on pure willpower to get something done?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
The real product isn’t always what’s on the shelf. It’s the story—and the feeling—that comes with it.
Sharon Price John, CEO of Build‑A‑Bear, reinvented a mall staple by returning the company from a $49 million loss to sustained profits while expanding into digital, adult, and licensing channels.
And here’s the insight that anchored her: Build‑A‑Bear isn’t selling teddy bears. It’s selling meaning. If you want to expand and grow your brand (without losing its heart), hit play on this episode!
You’ll also learn:
A turnaround formula so simple, it fits in four letters
An analogy to honor your company’s past—without getting stuck in it
The math (and magic) behind a viral “Pay Your Age” campaign
What decisive leaders understand that hesitant ones miss
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do YOU think about mission statements?
What are some practical ways a leader can drive the concept of "psychological safety" throughout their organization?
What’s your perspective on encouraging emerging leaders to chase what they are good at?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
What’s the real purpose of business growth?
According to Jimmy Kirchdorfer, CEO of ISCO Industries, it’s not just revenue or market share. It’s about creating opportunity—for your team, your customers, and your culture.
In this episode, he shares how a golf irrigation supplier grew into a global pipe distributor. It’s a powerful blueprint that shows you how reinvesting in growth (and people) can power your success and scale your business.
You’ll also learn:
Why “do what you love” might be terrible career advice
What psychological safety looks like in a team (and how to preserve it)
The one sales skill leaders often overlook
Jimmy’s first-hand story of bailing Scottie Scheffler out of jail at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla
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 day
Whichever 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.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do you handle criticism when you make a public statement and then change your mind?
What are your thoughts on the perspective that someone should try and avoid making an impact on day one of their new role?
What’s the best advice you’d give a leader on how to handle high stress?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store
Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week!
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!
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.