How Leaders Lead with David Novak

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**How Leaders Lead with 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.

Latest Episodes:

3 More Questions (Scott Boatwright) with David Novak and Koula Callahan May 26, 2025

Show notes

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 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!

#240: Scott Boatwright, CEO of Chipotle – Remove complexity to unlock performance May 22, 2025

Show notes

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:

What you're getting wrong about accountability
Two factors that will boost your confidence
The mindset you need heading into every performance review
Scott’s take on tariffs, consumer confidence – and what it means for leaders right now

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.

3 More Questions (Andy Jassy) with David Novak and Koula Callahan May 19, 2025

Show notes

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 Amazon?

———

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!

#239: Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon – Start with the customer and work backward May 15, 2025

Show notes

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 anything big
What it’s like to shadow Jeff Bezos in every meeting
A simple framework to help you delegate the right decisions
Why Andy thinks AI will reinvent customer experience as we know 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 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.

3 More Questions (Ed Bastian) with David Novak and Koula Callahan May 12, 2025

Show notes

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 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!

#238: Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines – Never stop improving May 08, 2025

Show notes

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 ahead in one of the world’s most competitive industries.

You’ll also learn:

One factor that can always differentiate your business
The surprising way that product quality shapes your culture
An inspiring mindset for anyone who’s in a tough moment
What Tom Brady (yes THAT Tom Brady) is teaching Delta

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.

3 More Questions (Frank Edwards) with David Novak and Koula Callahan May 05, 2025

Show notes

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 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!

#237: Frank Edwards, Managing Partner of Aqueduct Capital Group – Relationships are earned, not assumed May 01, 2025

Show notes

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 in building trust that lasts!

You’ll also learn:

What your top priority should be as you’re scaling
One key element of a strong sales culture
How to follow up after someone opens a door for you
Why you need a support system

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.

3 More Questions (Mark Shapiro) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

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 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!

#236: Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO; President and Managing Partner of WME Group – Set clear expectations Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

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 momentum and results.

It’s a great mix of stories and insights that will have you both laughing and strategizing!

You’ll also learn:

The first thing to do in a new leadership role
One huge factor to consider in making in-person/remote work decisions
What you need to do to win over skeptics
How to set clear expectations and hold your team to 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 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.

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