How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Latest Episodes:

#122: Bill Rhodes, CEO of AutoZone – Value those you lead Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is Bill Rhodes, the CEO and Executive Chairman of AutoZone.

Get this: AutoZone is one of the only companies around who has grown both their earnings per share AND their revenue EVERY year for the past TWENTY years.

That kind of consistency is just remarkable.

But you won’t hear Bill take the credit for it. For him, it is all about his team and what they can do together.

He’s got this deep and genuine admiration for his people, whom he calls AutoZoners. That respect drives how he makes decisions, implements, finds and trains talent, and more.

When we truly respect those we lead, we see leadership for the privilege it really is. It’s the secret to getting big things done – and to getting the kind of growth we all want to have.

You’ll also learn:

The surprising benefit of a company culture that’s not for everybody
How to grow both a retail and wholesale business
A practical idea to help you find great team members (even in a tough labor market)
What “executive courage” means and how it can change your approach to decisions
How golf helped Bill get his foot in the door at a top accounting firm

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 (Condoleezza Rice) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, to learn even more about how to play to your strengths.

If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

#121: Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State – Play to your strengths Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the former U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. She’s undoubtedly one of our nation’s most admired and successful leaders.

These days, she’s the Director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford and recently became a part owner in the Denver Broncos, where she led the hiring effort for their new head coach.

It’s not every day that you get to learn from a leader who’s negotiated with Vladimir Putin and performed a piano concert for the Queen of England!

There is so much we can learn from Condi’s remarkable leadership skills. And while she is incredibly humble, she also knows how to play to her strengths.

She understands her unique skills and contributions.

And she steps into any situation with a firm grasp on how she can apply those strengths and get the right outcome.

Now, that’s something that all great leaders need to understand.

You’ll also learn:

Practical advice for making tough decisions
One key aspect of smart diplomacy every leader can put to use
The three qualities you should look for in a mentor
The mindset you need when you’re the one who’s “different” from everyone else
The leadership traits she looked for in the new coach for the Denver Broncos

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 (Dr. Holly Andersen) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Dr. Holly Andersen, the renowned cardiologist and founder of the Hands Only CPR movement, to learn even more about how to use passion to drive change.

If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

#120: Dr. Holly Andersen, World Renowned Cardiologist – Use passion to drive change Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is Dr. Holly Andersen. She’s a renowned cardiologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital and the founder of the Hands Only CPR movement.

She is on a mission to make sure everybody knows how to help someone in cardiac arrest. Because, as you’ll hear today, we can save a lot of lives if ordinary people like you and me know what to do when that happens.

Unfortunately, most people don’t … and it’s not easy to create the kind of awareness you need to change that. But Holly is an extraordinary leader. She is passionate about this mission. And she knows how to leverage that passion in order to drive change and action.

Now that’s a skill every great leader needs to master – and this episode will help you do it!

You’ll also learn:

One practical way you can naturally teach your team more in your day to day work
What to do when you have to deliver bad news
Tips for motivating stubborn people
How to bring awareness to your big goals

>>> LEARN HANDS ONLY CPR [30 seconds]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsH7l5jkanY

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 (Bernie Marcus) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Bernie Marcus, Co-founder of The Home Depot, to learn even more about how to do what's GREAT for customers.

If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

#119: Bernie Marcus, Cofounder of The Home Depot – Do what’s great for customers Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

Today I’m joined by Bernie Marcus, the cofounder of The Home Depot. At 93 years young, Bernie is an absolute icon. The Home Depot broke the mold for retail and is continuing to succeed where lots of other retailers are struggling. And you can really understand why when you spend time with Bernie. From the very beginning, he made decisions based on what’s great for the customer.

Because for Bernie, customer service isn’t just a transaction. It’s a relationship. If you want to succeed in your work, you’ve got to take care of your customers and do right by them. And this conversation is gonna get your wheels turning with ideas to do just that. And it’s gonna have you laughing, because, I gotta tell ya, Bernie has got some incredible stories!

So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – the one and only Bernie Marcus.

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 (Carol Tomé) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Carol Tomé, the CEO of UPS, to learn even more about how to see people as an investment, not an expense.

If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

#118: Carol Tomé, CEO of UPS – See people as an investment Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

My guest today is Carol Tomé, the CEO of UPS. And let me tell you, there aren’t a lot of leaders out there who have the smarts and empathy and energy that Carol has.

She actually retired in 2019 after nearly two decades as the CFO of The Home Depot. She was already a legend. But then, the opportunity to take the helm at UPS came along. It got her out of retirement and back doing what she loves – which is helping people develop. And boy, does that passion for people come through in this conversation. But that’s not the only thing. You can also hear just how committed Carol is to being financially successful.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to choose between focusing on your people or making money, then keep listening. Carol is proof positive that you can do both. Everything changes when you see your people as an investment – not an expense. It’s such a powerful mindset, and it’s one YOU can learn from Carol right now.

So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Carol Tomé.

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 (Chris Kempczinski) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Chris Kempczinski, the President and CEO of McDonald's to learn even more about how to make your key strategies more memorable.

If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan