How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Latest Episodes:

#262: Lew Frankfort, Chairman Emeritus and former CEO of Coach – Combine magic and logic Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

He built Coach from a small leather goods brand into a $5 billion global fashion powerhouse.

But Lew Frankfort’s rise to the top isn’t what you’d expect.

He started out in public service and even got passed over for a promotion for being “too principled.” But when he came to Coach, he brought relentless drive, strong investigative instincts, and a unique leadership philosophy he calls “Magic + Logic.”

He’s got wisdom to help any leader who wants to build something that lasts – with both quality execution and inspired creativity.

In this episode, he shares:

What a guidance counselor told him in 9th grade that almost changed everything
What to do when you spot a gap in the marketplace
One unusual trait to develop if you want to excel at product development and marketing
A helpful analogy to help you manage conflict

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.

#261: Nathan Smith, Walker Cup Captain – Know what your people need to excel Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

He’s one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in the game – a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion and four-time Masters competitor. Just last month, he captained the 2025 Walker Cup team to victory over Great Britain and Ireland.

Nathan Smith knows how to get the most out of himself and his team, especially when the pressure is on and the stakes are high.

In this episode, he shares the leadership mentality and coaching habits that have helped him build trust, navigate adversity, and bring out the best in his team. If you lead a team or coach others, don’t miss this one!

You’ll also learn:

How to set your people up for success
The weird reason he doesn’t regret missing the cut by one stroke at the Masters
Tips for building camaraderie, even when people aren’t in the same place
What it was like playing Augusta with Arnold Palmer

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.

#260: Nick Green, Cofounder and CEO of Thrive Market – The business model matters Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

At age 25, he walked away from a successful seven-figure business, and took a big swing on a risky idea.

Thrive Market Cofounder and CEO Nick Green knew he wanted to make healthy food more accessible. But at a time when everyone was chasing speed and scale, he made a big bet on the membership model. 1.7 million members later, it’s safe to say it worked.

In this episode, he shares:

His early career failures and what they taught him
The power of the right business model
The weird way he uses ChatGPT
Why you should take big swings

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.

#259: Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Founder and CEO of Olive & June – Work on yourself Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

As a kid, she had to hide her favorite red nail polish from her parents. Today, she’s the founder and CEO of Olive & June, a $100 million nail polish brand.

But in between, Sarah Gibson Tuttle had to navigate a career she wasn’t really passionate about … and find the courage to chase a big idea.

In this episode, she shares:

The untold stories behind the brand’s rise
How she turned frustration into innovation
Why her ability to work on herself has helped her build a more collaborative, company

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 (Paul Brown) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:

How should leaders apply the concept, "sell what you sell", into their marketing strategy?
How can leaders maintain brand consistency while being flexible on the product offerings in different markets?
How can leaders running multiple teams and business units find the right balance between alignment and autonomy?

———

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!

#258: Paul Brown, Cofounder and CEO of Inspire Brands – Sell what you sell Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

GUEST: Paul Brown, Cofounder and CEO of Inspire Brands, which includes Arby’s, Sonic, Dunkin’, and more.

LISTEN FOR: Insights on clear messaging, leading multiple brands, the changing media landscape, and sharing best practices

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 (Klaus Kleinfeld) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:

How can you measure motivation and what can leaders do to drive that in their organization?
How can leaders sustain high performance while managing their energy?
How can leaders who are great a dreaming big make visions practical and real?

———

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!

#257: Klaus Kleinfeld, Former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa – Purpose channels your energy Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Every leader wants to bring more energy to the table—but it’s not about pushing harder or working longer. It’s about channeling your energy toward what truly matters.

In this episode, David talks with Klaus Kleinfeld, the former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa, and the author of the book Leading to Thrive. You’ll see how to use purpose as a guiding force to manage your energy, inspire your team, and create meaningful, lasting impact.

You’ll also learn:

A simple way to test your sense of purpose in life
A two-pronged approach to making better decisions
An unforgettable story about the power of kindness and empathy
The mindset shift that turns a “no market” into endless opportunity

Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:

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 (Hayden Brown) with David Novak and Koula Callahan Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:

How can leaders build the courage and the conviction to pursue a vision that others might not see right away?
How should leaders think about what belongs with the core team versus what can be outsourced to freelancers?
What can leaders do to build a ‘resolve it now’ culture on their teams when it comes to resolving conflict quickly?

———

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!

#256: Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork – Create clarity for your team Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

GUEST: Hayden Brown, CEO of the global freelance marketplace Upwork

LISTEN FOR: Insights on AI, remote work, and what it really takes to lead with clarity (and why it’s not what you think)

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.