How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Latest Episodes:

#37: Daniel Lubetzky, KIND Snacks Founder—Embrace the Philosophy of "And" Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Daniel Lubetzky, Founder of KIND Snacks – which is the fastest growing snack brand in the world.

It’s not every day that you can find a snack that’s healthy AND tasty.

But as you’re going to hear in this conversation, Daniel is really good at finding a way to advance two seemingly contradictory goals, and it’s been a game changer for both his business and his life.

He calls it the philosophy of “AND.” With this insight, you can maximize value with every decision you make. Listen to this conversation to see how you can apply it. Oh, and don’t miss the behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to be a shark on Shark Tank!

You’ll also learn:

The #1 trait that levels the playing field for small companies against larger competitors
Indispensable advice for anyone thinking about expanding into a new category
How to build a culture where your team isn’t afraid to disagree with you
What it really means to be kind (and why it’s different than just being nice)

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.

#36: Donna Barton Brothers, NBC Sports Reporter, Former Jockey & Starlight Racing COO—What Motivates Each Team Member Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Donna Barton Brothers, the COO of Starlight Racing. She also just happens to be one of the most decorated female jockeys in the horse industry and the leading on-track television broadcaster for NBC.

If you watch the Kentucky Derby, she’s the reporter at the winner’s circle, riding her horse backward as she talks to the winning jockey in the moments after the race. Now that takes some talent!

But that’s not the only thing that makes Donna remarkable. She is full of insight into what it takes to win. And as you’ll hear in this conversation, there are so many parallels between how jockeys get the most out of their horses and how we as leaders can get the most out of our teams.

You’ll also learn:

The importance of understanding your own unique gifts and niche skills
Why you can be an influential leader even if you don’t have a large team
What elite race horses can teach us about leading teams to victory
An indispensable piece of advice for anyone who speaks to the media

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.

#35: Part 2: Fred Ridley, Augusta National Golf Club Chairman—Preserve Tradition and Drive Innovation Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

Here is part two of my conversation with Fred Ridley, Chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club.

If you haven’t had a chance to listen to part one yet, stop and do that first.

It’s not easy to preserve the incredible tradition of a place like Augusta National while also making sure you’re moving into the future with new ideas.

That tension between tradition and new ideas is something we can probably all relate to.

But Fred is surrounded by an incredible team that he genuinely loves being around and learning from. And that’s at the heart of how he leads: he puts people before processes.

His team members come first, because they’re the ones who are going to make the experience for patrons and players and guests the legendary experience Augusta is known for. They also have the ideas that are going to pave the way forward. Fred shares a lot of strategies for how we, too, can put people before processes.

You’ll also learn:

The key mentality you need to preserve an organization’s tradition while also blazing new trails
Practical tips to speak to the press (or anyone who asks you tough questions)
A surprising way to develop your organization’s core values – and why it’s so much more effective than the traditional method
One small thing you can do at the start of every meeting that will boost team morale

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.

#34: Part 1: Fred Ridley, Augusta National Golf Club Chairman—Preserve Tradition and Drive Innovation Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, and the man behind the Masters.

Fred has so much love and respect for the game of golf, and he’s quite a player himself – he won the 1975 US Amateur and competed in a few Masters tournaments.

But after a successful career as a commercial lawyer and overseeing the Masters Championship Committee for ten years, Fred took over as Chairman in 2017. It’s never easy to step into a high-profile role, especially when it comes with the responsibility of a legendary brand and event like the Masters.

But he’s up for the challenge, leading with a smart eye for detail and a big heart for people. And he’s shaping an incredible vision for the future of Augusta National while upholding the history and tradition that makes it so special.

You’re going to learn so much about how he balances those two things – and how every decision he makes is really all about the people around him, not just the processes of the organization.

In part one of this two-part conversation, you’ll learn:

The mentality that helped Fred become the surprise champion of the 1975 US Amateur
What Fred learned about leadership after a controversial ruling involving Tiger Woods
The inspiring story behind launching the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (and how it can inspire you to launch a new initiative)
One key trait of any worthwhile community involvement effort

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.

#33: Kara Goldin, Hint Water Founder & CEO—Tackle Your Fears Head On Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Kara Goldin, the CEO and Founder of Hint Water, which is the leading brand for unsweetened flavored water.

It may surprise you to learn that Kara founded this company having no experience at all in the beverage industry.

It all started when she wanted to swap her diet soda for water, but she found drinking plain water too boring. So she created a whole new product category that’s disrupted the beverage industry and helped a lot of people live healthier lives.

For Kara, her lack of experience in the industry was just an obstacle she needed to tackle, nothing more. If there’s something she’s afraid of or unfamiliar with, she just takes it head on.

She sees fears and obstacles as opportunities to grow – and sure enough, that’s just what they become.

It’s the kind of perspective all leaders need, and you are going to get a ton out of this conversation – including the inside scoop on how Kara got a KILLER deal on SuperBowl airtime!

You’ll also learn:

What to do if you have a great idea – but not much experience in a certain space
One important thing to keep in mind if you want to motivate your team around a mission
What to remember the next time a door slams in your face
How to get a bargain on a SuperBowl ad (and whether or not the ad worked!)

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.

#32: Jesse Cole, Savannah Bananas Owner & Founder Fans First Entertainment—What Makes You Stand Out? Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Jesse Cole, the Founder of Fans First Entertainment & Owner of Savannah Bananas. He’s the one-of-a-kind innovator behind the incredible (and unlikely) popularity of this small Coastal Plain League baseball team.

That’s because the sell-out crowds at a Savannah Bananas game aren’t really there for the baseball. They’re there for the dancing grandmas and conga lines and – get this – the underwear salute! Now, there’s a phrase you never saw coming on a leadership podcast!

But this is all a part of Jesse’s plan. He knows how to stand out and get attention – and even better, he does it all because he truly loves fans and customers. If you want your business to stand out, this conversation is going to be an absolute game changer for you.

You’ll also learn:

One simple exercise to help you disrupt a category
A question you can ask to get more attention for your product or service
How to get inside the head of your customer so you can serve them better
Two ways you can bring your core values to life for your staff and 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.

#31: Joey Zwillinger, Allbirds Cofounder—Have a Healthy Sense of Urgency Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Joey Zwillinger, Co-Founder of Allbirds, the world’s most comfortable shoe according to Time Magazine. His company is growing by leaps and bounds, and they’ve pioneered a truly sustainable shoe that people really love.

But all of it almost never happened. Fortunately, a few years ago, Joey had the courage to ask himself one really powerful question. And when he did, he got a healthy sense of urgency that NOW was the time to start a company that could make a significant impact on the problems surrounding climate change.

That healthy sense of urgency is something we can all use, even in our day-to-day lives, to help us figure out what we really want to focus on. In this conversation, you’ll hear how Joey tapped into it for himself, his team, and his company. Plus, you’ll get great insights on making business more sustainable, marketing your products’ differentiators, and lots more.

You’ll also learn:

How to leverage the power of mentorship, both for corporate leaders and entrepreneurs
Tips for navigating business decisions while still upholding your most important values
A practical strategy you can use the next time you face a sticky problem
A dangerous mindset you have to weed out, especially in successful companies

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.

#30: Niren Chaudhary, Panera CEO—Begin With the End in Mind Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Niren Chaudhary, CEO of Panera.

Have you ever been absolutely overwhelmed by a challenge? Maybe it was a crisis … or a huge turnaround effort … or just a really complex problem you had to fix?

Those are the moments that define us as leaders.

And Niren Chaudhary can teach us so much about how to turn those challenging moments into defining wins.

When he took over at Panera in 2019, Niren had an uphill challenge to revitalize a fading brand. He made some big shifts and got the company back on track … And then – wham – the COVID crisis hit and they lost 50% of their business in a week.

Talk about big challenges! In those moments, Niren says, we have “begin with the end in mind.” What does reality look once we get through that challenge? That big vision gives our teams the hope, optimism, and clarity they need to move through it.

When it comes to tough situations, few people have more wisdom than Niren. This episode will inspire you to tackle your next big challenge.

You’ll also learn:

A priceless blueprint for any leader tasked with a big revamp
Four key insights for building a business in a post-COVID world
The game-changing mindset you can use when you feel overwhelmed
How to communicate a big idea so people actually remember 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.

#29: Mikaila Ulmer, Me and the Bees Lemonade Founder & CEO—Focus on Opportunities, Not Just Obstacles Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

Today, you’ll see that business wisdom and leadership insight can come from ANY age – because our guest for this episode is 15-year-old Mikaila Ulmer, the Founder and CEO of Me and the Bees Lemonade.

Mikaila turned the lemonade stand she started as a four-year-old into a nationally distributed brand that has sold 2 million bottles of honey lemonade and is backed by Shark Tank investor Daymond John.

She is a fearless leader with a big heart who is wise beyond her years. And you are going to see your big ideas and dreams in a whole new way after you listen to this conversation.

You’ll also learn:

One incredible idea you can use to inspire your team at the start of each meeting
Why telling the story of your product or service is so vital
Two big takeaways from Shark Tank investor Daymond John
The #1 ingredient (no pun intended) to succeeding in sales
Advice for parents whose kids have an entrepreneurial idea

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.

#28: Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s CEO—Tackle the Tough Assignments Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is Marvin Ellison, CEO of Lowe’s.

Have you ever taken over in a position after the previous person left under bad circumstances?

If you have, then you know – those are some of the toughest situations to walk into.

Marvin is amazing for a lot of reasons … but check this out: in EVERY new role during his 25-year career, he has taken over for someone who’s been fired or forced out.

Now, that is a man who is not afraid of a tough assignment!

Marvin was born as the son of sharecroppers and got his start as an hourly retail worker. He has risen through the ranks over the years with a ton of courage, taking the jobs other people didn’t want because he knew it was how he could prove his abilities.

Marvin is also one of the few Black Fortune 500 CEOs in our country, and it’s an honor to have him here to teach us that incredible things can happen when we are brave enough to tackle the tough assignments.

You’ll also learn:

A valuable point of view if you ever find yourself working for a competitor
One practical way you can avoid the leadership bubble and ensure you actually hear directly from your front line team members
A priceless piece of wisdom for what to do when you don’t feel like you fit into your work culture
One surprising element of work-life balance that doesn’t get talked about a lot

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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