How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Latest Episodes:

#55: Jessica Kim, ianacare Cofounder & CEO—Solve Problems at a Human Level Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Jessica Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of ianacare, a digital platform that connects family caregivers with the resources they need to care for their loved ones.

Jessica founded ianacare because she herself was a caregiver in her mother’s last days of life. She saw firsthand how frustrating, exhausting and isolating the experience was, and she knew there had to be a better way.

That’s how great entrepreneurs think. They truly understand their customers’ problems on a human level, and then they set out to solve those problems with excellence.

So if you run a business yourself, or if you want to someday, or if your company simply serves customers in any way…

Listen to this conversation and see how to solve your customers’ problems at a human level.

You’ll also learn:

The perspective you absolutely must have before you launch anything digital
How the hiring process changes through various stages of your business
What to do if you don’t have much expertise for your startup (and why that’s actually okay)
Practical tips for leading hybrid and remote teams

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.

Adventures from the Golf Course | How Leaders Lead Insight Series Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Anyone listening this show knows that I am absolutely passionate about the game of golf, and how blessed I am to have been able to play with some of the top players in the game. So we thought we'd mix things up a little bit and create an episode featuring some of the best stories we've heard from around the golf course - some that I'm sure you've never heard before, and you definitely don't want to 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.

#54: Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A Chairman & CEO—The Method Changes, The Mission Doesn’t Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Dan Cathy, Chairman & CEO of Chick-fil-A. With Dan at the helm, Chick-fil-A has become the envy of the restaurant industry. The average unit volumes in their stores are absolutely unheard-of – even though they’re only open six days a week. And they’ve had sales increases every single year of the 75 years they’ve been in business.

You can’t do that kind of growth for that long without being really good at innovating and adapting. But somehow they’ve done it while also staying true to their founding principles and values.

The secret, Dan says, is to “marry the mission and date the methods.”

That means they’re not afraid to try new ideas or get rid of whatever’s not working – whether that’s a strategy or a process or a menu item. But the core mission never changes.

If you’re the kind of person who wants to chart a bold path forward but you don’t want to lose sight of what got you to where you are, then you’re going to love this conversation.

You’ll also learn:

Two often-overlooked aspects of innovation
How to create margin for unexpected opportunities
One key step you need when you develop your idea – and it’s something most people skip
The most important thing you need to get right in order to delight customers

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.

#53: Tom Brady, 7-time World Champion—Build Strong Relationships With Clear Communication Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Tom Brady, the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and – let’s be honest – the greatest of all time.

Now, we all go into new situations where we're expected to come in, turn the team around, and perform. And that’s exactly what Tom did at the Bucs, winning the Super Bowl in his very first season at Tampa Bay. That’s why we call him the GOAT, right!?

In this conversation, we really dig into what made that transition from the Patriots to the Bucs so darn successful.

Of course, Tom is known for his elite discipline and his grit. And with good reason! But Tom is also incredible at building relationships with his teammates, coaches and management.

For us leaders, so much depends on how we connect and communicate with people. Do we know how to convey our expectations clearly? Do we know how to build consensus? Do we have the courage to tackle the tough conversations right away and not let them fester?

Tom sure does! And this conversation is a goldmine of wisdom for how to build strong relationships through clear communication – especially if you find yourself leading in a new situation.

You’ll also learn:

Specific ways to build trust when you step into a new situation
One critical thing to avoid in your one-on-one relationships at work
How to adjust to a new boss
A key mindset shift you can use when things don’t go as planned

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.

#52: Johnny Taylor, SHRM President & CEO—Treat Empathy as a Business Skill Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Johnny Taylor, President & CEO of SHRM, the Society of Human Resource Management, which is the association for over 300,000 human resource officers in 165 countries.

The formula for success in any business is to get your people capability right. That’s how you’re going to satisfy more customers. That’s how you make more money. And more importantly, that’s how you make a bigger difference in the world.

When it comes to getting your people right, Johnny Taylor has figured out a huge piece of the puzzle. And it’s something a lot of us overlook: empathy. Not sympathy! But empathy – the ability to see a situation from someone else’s perspective and respond with compassion.

He says empathy isn’t just a mushy feeling or moral idea. It’s a business skill – something we actively need to be working toward in our organizations and developing in our leaders.

If you’re not sure how to do that, don’t miss this episode!

You’ll also learn:

Three benefits of remote work (and one huge danger)
The paradigm shift every HR department needs in order to shake the bad rap
The #1 reason you’re overlooking great talent
How to keep your best people
Specific ideas to drive diversity and inclusion

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.

#51: Jimmy Dunne, Piper Sandler Vice Chairman & Senior Managing Principal—Anticipate the Needs of Others Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Jimmy Dunne. He’s the Vice Chairman and Senior Managing Principal at Piper Sandler. He was one of the founders of Sandler O'Neill + Partners which was acquired by Piper Jaffray in 2020.

He is renowned for how he led his firm in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Sixty-six of his associates tragically died that day, including the firm’s founder Herman Sandler and Jimmy’s best friend Chris Quackenbush.

Jimmy made the incredible decision early on in the wake of the attacks that the firm needed to provide for the families of fallen associates, including a college education for every child who lost a parent.

Jimmy’s ability to anticipate the needs of others not only helped him lead through the crisis, but also helped him prepare for that awful day before it even arrived. And it’s a wonderful reminder for all of us to look out for the people we serve by thinking about what they need even before they do.

It’s such a privilege to talk to Jimmy today and I know you are going to be so inspired by his incredible empathy and humility.

You’ll also learn:

An honest reflection on what it was like to lead after the devastating losses his firm suffered in the 9/11 attacks
What to rely on when you’re not feeling confident or at your best
The importance of responsibility, especially in tough situations
What you should never do when you make a mistake – and what to do instead

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.

#50: Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent—Define Reality (Even When It’s Ugly) Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

One of your most important jobs as a leader is to define reality. You have to figure out what is really happening in your organization if you want to make it better.

And today’s guest is Alberto Carvalho, the Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and someone who knows exactly how to define reality.

He leads the fourth largest school district in the nation, and it’s quite the success story today.

But it sure wasn’t when Alberto took charge. Schools were failing. The finances were an absolute mess. And there was a real lack of conviction in leadership positions.

Alberto had to define a tough reality at Miami-Dade. But once he understood what wasn’t working, he used it as the foundation for their turnaround – and you’ll hear exactly how he’s done it.

This conversation is going to give you the inspiration and courage you need to tackle whatever tough reality you may be facing right now.

You’ll also learn:

One breakthrough idea to help you build unity in your top leadership team
What to do when a major disruption hits your space (instead of panicking or giving up)
Practical ways to bust through bureaucracy and eliminate roadblocks
Why it’s so crucial for kids to learn about leadership while they’re young

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.

#49: Andy Roddick, Former #1 World Tennis Player & Andy Roddick Foundation CEO—Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is hall of fame and former world #1 tennis player, Andy Roddick. You may remember him destroying opponents with his serve, or winning the 2003 US Open, or even hosting Saturday Night Live!

But these days, he’s doing all kinds of other fun stuff. He’s the CEO of the Andy Roddick Foundation, which supports kids in low-income communities.

He’s co-founded two companies, one in healthcare and another in commercial real estate. And if all that weren’t enough, he has also launched Sweetens Cove Spirits and is out there making Tennessee bourbon!

Can you imagine pivoting from what you’ve known your whole life and jumping headfirst into one new situation after the other?

Andy knows what it’s like to feel out of place and uncomfortable doing something new. But he also knows what it takes to get comfortable. He asks lots of questions. He prepares diligently. And he knows how to develop the right relationships.

Every leader finds themselves in new situations, where we don’t know the lay of the land. This conversation will show you exactly how to navigate those situations.

You’ll also learn:

How to overcome the resistance of getting into a new venture you don’t understand
A mindset shift that will change the way you think about preparation
The power of a simple ritual to stay mentally resilient
The surprising benefits of productive conflict and how to lean into 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.

#48: Becky Frankiewicz, ManpowerGroup North America President—Know What You Are Uniquely Good At Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Becky Frankiewicz, President of ManpowerGroup North America, which is the leading workforce solutions company in the world.

Now when she took the job, she was stepping into a whole new world. Why? Because Becky actually made a name for herself in various marketing, sales, and finance roles at PepsiCo.

And not every leader can go from finding breakthrough marketing ideas for snacks to leading a workforce solutions company!

But Becky is one of the most creative problem solvers around. She has a really clear grasp of what she’s good at. And with that, she’s confidently taking all those skills she developed in the consumer world and using them to help connect workers to jobs.

This conversation will help you understand the trends and big ideas in today’s workforce – including artificial intelligence, and career training, and managing multiple generations.

Plus, it will inspire you to learn what makes you truly unique in the workforce – so you can thrive in any career you pursue, too.

You’ll also learn:

3 major workforce insights you need to know to be prepared for the future
One trick to get to the heart of an issue so you truly solve the problem
The #1 thing you need to do as a company to truly attract great talent
The big danger we risk if we don’t give or ask for feedback

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.

#47: Timo Boldt, Gousto Founder & CEO—Intentionally Stretch Yourself Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Timo Boldt, Founder and CEO of Gousto, the largest meal kit company in the United Kingdom, which Timo founded at the ripe old age of 27. In the last seven years, its valuation has grown to over one billion dollars!

That is some seriously impressive growth.

And you’re going to love hearing how Timo and his team have done it.

He is constantly pushing himself and his company to grow and get better.

They’ve been through all the standard founder-led challenges and have come through them with a culture that’s obsessed with delivering great value, working collectively, and dreaming big dreams.

It takes a lot of intention to push yourself and stretch your beliefs. But it’s worth it. Because to paraphrase Timo, setting mediocre targets is a really good way to get mediocre results!

This conversation is basically a blueprint you can follow if you want to find creative ways to stretch yourself and your team and go for big goals.

You’ll also learn:

The most crucial aspect of leadership that no one will teach you at business school
How to push for high performance while still being supportive of your team
The #1 mistake every founder should avoid when making their first senior hire
One practical (and fun) strategy any leader can use to stay connected to a fast-growing business
Why feedback to your employees isn’t enough – and how to actually apply 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.

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