How Leaders Lead with David Novak: Recent Episodes
David Novak
David Novak hosts real leadership conversations with the best CEOs, Founders & Entrepreneurs in business, sports and entertainment to talk about how they get such incredibly good things done and how they are making a difference in their communities. David, a former co-founder and CEO himself, has been asking great questions and learning from top leaders his whole life. Now he breaks down the key learnings so that by the end of each episode, you’ll have something simple you can apply as you develop into a better leader.
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do you handle letting people go even when they are talented or really good team players?
How have you bounced back from a loss you've experienced in your life?
When leaders face traumatic situations with their teams, how do they take care of them in the midst of it?
ALSO...
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! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/
Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642
“Grit” is one of those buzzwords people throw around a lot. And it can be hard to define! But you know it when you see it – and you can certainly see it in Mike McCoy. This upcoming weekend, Mike has the honor of captaining the U.S. team at the Walker Cup as our top amateurs compete against Great Britain and Ireland at St. Andrews’ legendary Old Course. Mike is one of the world’s top amateur golfers, and he has been for decades. He even earned a coveted amateur spot at the 2014 Masters. And he’s done it all while also building a successful career as an insurance executive! That level of achievement in BOTH areas doesn’t just happen. It takes an elite mentality, a big commitment, and a willingness to do the hard stuff. In other words, it takes grit. In this conversation, you’ll see what grit really looks like and why there is just no substitute for it when it comes to your success. You’ll also learn:
Why to prioritize training and preparation for your team
The competitive advantage a lot of people shy away from
One practical way to help your team deal with setbacks
What it’s like playing the Masters as an amateur
ALSO...
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! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/
Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
Are leaders born with natural, God-given talent or can anyone get good at anything with deliberate practice?
Will humans be replaced by tech and AI?
How would you advise a leader to enhance human capital within their organization?
ALSO...
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! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/
Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642
Have you ever wondered what it really takes to be excellent at something? If so, you’re going to love this episode with Geoff Colvin. He’s the Senior Editor-at-Large for Fortune magazine and one of the most curious and articulate people I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the years. Geoff is also fascinated by excellence in human performance, especially as it pertains to business leaders. He’s spent decades talking to experts, analyzing research, and asking big questions. Today, you get to benefit from his know-how. If there’s ANYTHING you want to get better at – whether it’s at work or at home – this conversation basically gives you a playbook for it. Plus, we get into some bigger questions around AI and the skills leaders really need to be focusing on right now. Your mind is going to be spinning with big insights – listen now! You’ll also learn:
Why talent is overrated (and why that’s good news for you!)
The key to improving performance at practically anything
The 4 characteristics of practice that actually help you improve
Three qualities of a top-notch coach
The most important trait for us to develop as AI takes off
ALSO...
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! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/
Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What’s a story from your upbringing that shaped the way you lead today?
What would you say to people that argue compensation is the most important retention factor?
When a company is doing well and growing, how can a leader create that sense of urgency that continues to drive performance?
ALSO...
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! https://howleaderslead.com/plan/
Become a better leader in 5 days with our free, 5-Day Leadership Tune Up. This five-minute-a-day program is designed for the busy leader – it cuts right to the chase and gives you the practical know-how you’ll need to boost your confidence as a leader. https://howleaderslead.com/5-day-leadership-tuneup/
Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-lead-with-david-novak/id1223803642
Okay, imagine this… Your alarm goes off at 1 a.m. In an hour, it’s your job to be on the back of a trash pickup truck. Oh, and by the way? You’re one of the top leaders of the company. Believe it or not, that’s exactly what today’s guest did … every week, for seven and a half years! Jim Fish, the CEO of Waste Management, is just that kind of leader – one who spends time on the front lines to be with his team and truly listen to them. Jim is connected to the people he leads, and he’s focused on putting them first when he makes decisions. And he knows that by taking care of his people, they’ll then take care of customers, and that, in turn, provides value to shareholders. It’s a fantastic formula, and it’s inspiring to hear how Jim is putting it to work while also finding new ways to think about sustainability. That includes being the title sponsor of the Waste Management Open on the PGA Tour, which SOMEHOW is a zero waste event despite the 700,000 fans who come for the party. We get into all that and more in this episode, so listen now! You’ll also learn:
Two practical ideas to help you deal with a shrinking trade labor pool
How to use technology to minimize the impact of turnover
How they’ve reduced customer call volume by 25%
What really goes into making the Waste Management Open a zero-waste event
Four traits of a healthy CEO
Tips for assessing risks for your business – and protecting your business from them
The weirdest piece of garbage they’ve ever seen
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do you sniff out conflict as a leader (and why should you do it)?
Which is more important — talent or teamwork?
How do you avoid a crash as a leader?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Today’s guest is Patrick Lencioni, the founder of The Table Group. His books on teams and leadership have sold more than eight million copies around the world! Patrick’s ideas are just that good – and today’s podcast is no exception. Now, it’s no secret that leaders need to show vulnerability and humanity with the people they lead. But what does being vulnerable actually look like? How can it change the way you lead meetings, tackle conflict, or even look at your whole career? Listen to this episode and see for yourself just how much you can grow and succeed when you tap into the power of vulnerability. You’ll also learn:
The first (and most telling) thing Patrick does to evaluate the health of an organization
One surprising aspect of humility you’ve probably never considered before
A powerful way to reframe conflict
A wild story about the day Pat interviewed with Steve Jobs at Pixar
The key to disseminating information to a team so everybody actually gets it
Why you need to understand your unique “working genius” (and how to do it!)
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What are the first steps to transforming a command and control culture?
How can leaders create a customer-centric product development focus?
How can transparency from a leader bring a team together?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Today’s guest is Alan Mulally, who served as the CEO of Ford during their incredible turnaround. And when we say served as the CEO, we mean it! That’s because, in Alan’s words, to serve is to live. And it’s not just a warm-fuzzy philosophy. His service-centered style of leadership really gets results. It’s how he motivates people to actually work together. And it’s how he led Ford through one most extraordinary turnarounds – from operating at a $17 billion loss to making $9 billion in profit … in just two years! So if you want to learn how to get people working together, then you’re going to LOVE all the incredible insights and stories Alan shares in this episode. You’ll also learn:
Alan’s #1 piece of advice for anyone in a turnaround situation
A practical way to stay attuned to the reality of your business
One unexpected question to add to your next employee survey
The surprising shift leaders of the future need to make (and how to do it)
How to reframe issues in your company in a way that unlocks teamwork
The common mistake leaders make when a team member brings up an issue
A paradigm-shifting way to think about “work-life balance”
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
If a business is experiencing explosive growth, what can leaders do to navigate that successfully?
What’s your advice to leaders who are assessing whether or not to partner with other companies?
How do you know when to “give up” and go a different direction and when to stay the course and grind it out in a new business?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Today’s guest is Korie Robertson, one of the stars of the hit reality TV show Duck Dynasty. In fact, it was Korie’s idea to take their small family duck call business and turn it into a TV show about the quirky Robertson family. Duck Dynasty became one of the most successful reality shows in history, and Korie and her husband Willie were the business minds behind it all. But through it all, Korie has been herself, through and through. She’s true to her values. She trusts her gut. And she understands exactly where her boundaries are. That sense of personal integrity – of really being true to yourself – is something practically every respected leader has. People are drawn to that kind of authenticity because they know that’s a leader they can trust. And when you listen to Korie in this episode, you’re going to get an up-close-and-personal look at how to stay true to yourself even in the midst of big changes. Plus, she has some fantastic insights on scaling up, managing brands and partnerships, leading through chaos, and so much more. You’ll also learn:
How they scaled up their business when the TV show brought in new levels of demand
One trait they hired for that helped them succeed even in seasons of rapid change
Practical tips for finding the right partnerships (and avoiding the bad ones)
The role faith can play in your life as a leader
A practical strategy to recalibrate after a busy season
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
Which leaders have been instrumental to your growth and development and what’d they teach you?
Has there been a time when you’ve had so much conviction about a decision only to rethink it?
Have you ever gone public about something controversial? And should you do that as a leader of a business in the first place?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Today’s guest is Kevin Warsh, a brilliant economist who served on the Federal Reserve board of governors during the 2008 financial crisis. In this episode, you’ll get his powerful insights into our current economic climate. These are trends every business leader needs to be aware of right now. But there’s an even bigger insight for you here, too. When you ask Kevin about his success, he is quick to give credit to the other leaders he’s worked for. That’s how he’s grown his own leadership skills. That’s a must-have mindset for any leader. We’ve got to actively pay attention to the leaders around us and learn from them. Whether you’ve got a boss who’s fantastic … or whether you don’t … you’ve still got a huge opportunity either to adopt or avoid the strategies you see other leaders using. And this episode will help you do just that! You’ll also learn:
How to deal with doubters – especially if you’re younger than those you lead
What we can learn from the 2008 economic crisis (and why it matters right now)
The strength of a team that (respectfully) disagrees with each other
A powerful framework to analyze big trends in order to make sound decisions
What it’s like to walk into the Oval Office and interview to be Fed Chair
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What’s one thing leaders can take away from the idea of storytelling?
When have you created value for your company where it didn't already exist?
How can leaders balance recognizing their teams’ accomplishments with the drive to always grow and achieve more?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Our guest today is Ben Weprin, the CEO of AJ Capital, which includes the iconic line of Graduate Hotels. He’s also developed partnerships with Field and Stream and Chip and Joanna Gaines. Oh, and get this: he’s even got a hotel right on the eighteenth green at Saint Andrews! But no matter what he’s working on, Ben always taps into the power of storytelling to connect with people and create brands they love. Stories are at the heart of every hotel and space his company creates. And it’s a big factor in how he’s building and inspiring his team, too. When you listen to Ben, it’s clear: if you want to connect with people, you need to understand how to use storytelling. Listen to this episode for lots of insights on how YOU can leverage the power of story to make stronger connections with your customers and your team. You’ll also learn:
The secret ingredient you need to execute big ideas
How to create a team culture that loves to learn
The mindset you need to celebrate accomplishments without losing your edge
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do you build a department of excellence in an overall environment that’s on the decline?
How do you get the courage and conviction to do the thing you know is right when you know it might be met with resistance?
How did you encourage cross-functional collaboration among teams?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Today’s guest is Dr. Bob Grossman, the CEO of NYU Langone Health. When he took over in 2007, the hospital had a structural deficit, run-down facilities, and a team that wasn’t really tuned into a bigger vision. Today, they’re ranked as the number three hospital in the U.S. He’s grown their revenue from $2 billion to $11 billion. And they’re studied as THE model of how to run a patient-centered, successful health organization. You’ll hear how it happened in this conversation. And as you might expect, Bob shares a lot of wisdom about culture and vision and all that good stuff. But you need more than that to make big things happen. You need accountability – because that’s how you make sure those big ideals are actually showing up in the work day to day. If you want your team performing at the highest level… If you want them to really own their actions and decisions … Then listen to this episode and see how to create more accountability for your organization. You’ll also discover:
How to turn a lack of experience into a massive leadership advantage
The importance of early, swift action in a new position
The #1 ingredient that’s missing in a dysfunctional workplace
How to lead through a crisis
How Bob communicates with his team – and the surprising response it’s gotten
The 50-year-old problem Bob addressed that changed everyone’s daily workflow
In this episode, we take all the great wisdom from the last three months and highlight the most impactful takeaways for you. ... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do you get your mind right for the big moments?
What are best practices for those transitioning from individual contributor to leader?
What can leaders do to protect and continue to nourish their culture?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Today’s guest is Brad Richards, two-time Stanley Cup champion and MVP of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. In the world of hockey, he is also Mister Clutch! He has a perfect 8-0 record in Game Seven play—something NO other hockey player in history can claim. He also set a record for the most game-winning goals in a single playoff season. In his career, Brad consistently came through in clutch situations. That’s a quality EVERY leader needs, whether you’re on the ice or in the office. When you listen to this conversation, you’re going to see why. Brad is an even-keeled guy who knows how to put his head down and work hard. And all that effort and preparation gives him confidence that he’s ready to step up and deliver in big moments. You may not be skating out on the ice with a Stanley Cup on the line … but if you lead, you’re going to face high-pressure situations. Listen to this conversation and learn how to walk into them with confidence, because you know how to trust the hard work you’ve put in. You’ll also learn:
The key to keeping your competitive drive in check
The surprising thing every great hockey team had in common (which actually had nothing to do with hockey)
An inspiring story that shows what effective mentorship looks like
The hard reality you need to accept if you want to truly improve
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
Should every leader be in the details of their business?
Is it important for leaders to know the history of their company?
Is "quality" alone a legitimate business plan?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Today’s guest is Gil Hanse, one of the world’s most sought-after golf course architects. As the U.S. Open tees off this weekend, his beautiful renovation at the North course of the Los Angeles Country Club will be front and center. But even if you’re not a golf fan, you can learn a lot when you dig into the creative process behind these golf course designs. To turn those designs into a reality, it doesn’t just take a big, bold vision. It also takes an incredible attention to detail. And whether you’re trying to build a golf course or build a business … the details matter. Listen to this conversation with Gil and learn how to prioritize details and quality execution, so you can see YOUR big plans turn into reality, too. You’ll also learn:
Two ways to get others on board with your creative vision
A practical tip so people will actually listen to your next presentation
How execution impacts your strategy – and why you can’t overlook it
The attitude you need when you don’t have the proper resources for your job
The incredible story of winning the bid for the Olympics golf course in Brazil (hint: he almost didn’t)
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How can leaders balance being performance-driven and also not lose sight of the personal nature of leadership?
How do you figure out what to do first in a turnaround situation?
How have you used vulnerability to build trust with your team?
... BONUS RESOURCE: To gain confidence as a leader, you need a plan for tackling common leadership challenges. My new online course "Taking People With You" will give you practical ways you can resolve issues and keep your team moving forward toward your biggest goals. Get free access here — https://howleaderslead.com/courses/
Today’s guest is Oscar Munoz, the former CEO and Chairman of United Airlines. Oscar led United through a massive turnaround. And this conversation is a fascinating, story-filled look at how it happened. It’s also a great reminder for every leader: You’ve got to do more than just create smart strategies and solve technical problems. The real challenge is how you do all that while also reaching the hearts of the people you lead. That was the driving force of the turnaround at United, and it’s true for whatever challenges you’re facing, too. To make big things happen, you’ve got to appeal to both minds AND hearts. Listen to this conversation and see how it’s done. You’ll also learn: • Why he went “off script” after a high-profile social media disaster • One reason to have tough performance conversations OUTSIDE of traditional reviews • Why Oscar was always the last person to board a flight • What you need to successfully navigate career transitions • The #1 thing to do when you’re in a turnaround situation • The one situation in which growth is NOT the right mindset
Today’s guest is David Gibbs, the CEO of Yum! Brands. That’s Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC and The Habit Burger Grill. And yes, it’s also my former job! David is doing some incredible things to continue to drive big growth at Yum! Brands. And as you’re about to hear, he has a unique mentality that helps him do it. You see, David stepped into the role as CEO back in January of 2020 and was immediately faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. But throughout his career, when David has found himself in challenging situations, he looks for the opportunities. For the upside. For what’s positive. And if you’ve got that ability to reframe a situation, well, you’ve got the key to unlocking growth – for your business, for your team members, and for yourself too! When you listen to David, you can’t help but learn that you can inspire others and drive big growth when you flip the script in a tough situation. So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – David Gibbs.
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 Edward Lee — celebrity chef, author, and restaurateur — to learn even more about how to show others they matter. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Well, it’s Thanksgiving, and since we’re gathering together this week for quality time and quality food, it’s the perfect chance for us to learn some leadership lessons from my favorite chef, Edward Lee. You know, when people come to visit us here in Louisville and they ask where they should eat, I always recommend Edward Lee’s restaurant 620 Magnolia. His food is incredible and I gotta say, his carrot cake is absolutely out of this world. On top of being a successful restaurateur, he’s also competed on Top Chef, written two wonderful books, and has even been nominated for an Emmy! Really, he’s built a thriving career in an industry that can be pretty cutthroat – and he’s done it by showing people how much they matter. When he prepares a dish, when he’s talking to his staff, he treats every single person as an individual. People matter, and when you can show YOUR people that they matter to you, well, that’s the hallmark of a great leader. Keep listening to see how it’s done. So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Edward Lee.
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 Gayle Troberman, President and CMO of iHeartMedia, about how to fight to bring big ideas to life in your company. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
You know, for us leaders, there’s just nothing quite as exciting as a good idea. But for a lot of leaders, what comes next is a real struggle. They’ve got a good idea, but they don’t know how to build traction for it and give it the buy-in it deserves. That’s why I’m excited for you to hear from Gayle Troberman today. She’s the President and Chief Marketing Officer of iHeartMedia. They’ve got eight hundred and fifty broadcast stations putting music, news, and podcasts in the ears of 90% of Americans. For Gayle, that means a whole lotta opportunities to find great ideas. And boy, she’s doing just that. She is a vibrant, creative leader – but she doesn’t just have good ideas. She knows how to elicit those ideas from her team. And she knows how to make sure they actually get traction and become reality. If you want to see how to fight for big ideas, then keep listening, because here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Gayle Troberman.
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 Lt Col Dan Rooney, Founder and CEO of Folds of Honor to learn even more about how to embrace challenges in order to ascend. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Today’s guest is Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, a highly decorated Air Force fighter pilot, and the founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. Now, Folds of Honor is an amazing nonprofit that gives scholarships to family members whose loved ones have died or become disabled while serving in the Armed Forces. And – get this – they just expanded their mission to include first responders as well. You know, Dan is just the perfect person to talk to this week as we’re reflecting on Veterans’ Day and all the incredible sacrifices our military servicemen and women have made for our freedom. Dan’s got the kind of leadership wisdom you can only earn when you’re flying through a dust storm in Iraq going a thousand miles an hour with the wing of your aircraft literally six inches away from your buddy’s. I mean, the stakes are high and the challenges are nonstop – but hey, that’s where great leaders shine. We’re defined by how we respond when we face tough moments. In this conversation, Dan shares how we can actually be ready for those difficult times, embrace them, and come through them even stronger. So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Dan Rooney.
If you want a plan to help you improve as a leader each week, you can get a free one here at https://howleaderslead.com/plan/
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 Oz Pearlman, the nation's top professional mentalist, to learn even more about how to create memorable moments for your customers and improve as a communicator and leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Well, buckle up, everybody, because today I’m talking with the country’s top mentalist, Oz Pearlman. He entertains NFL teams and big corporations with astounding tricks that make it seem like he’s actually reading minds. And you know what, he even does one of his tricks with me during this episode, and it’s honestly going to blow your mind. Let’s be honest – it’s one thing to have this incredible skill that Oz has. But it’s a whole other thing to turn that skill into an incredible business. Oz has done just that, and he’s done it by taking risks, honing his craft, and being incredibly strategic about his brand. Most of all, though, he makes sure that every performance is about his audience, NOT about him. He doesn’t want to show off. He wants to give every person in his audience a memorable moment – and that’s why he’s one of the most in-demand performers around. Oz is gonna inspire you to create more memorable moments for your customers … PLUS he’s gonna make you think more about who you are, what your brand is, and how you can be an even better leader. So without further ado here is my conversation with my good friend and soon to be yours, Oz Pearlman.
If you want a plan to help you improve as a leader each week, you can get a free one here at https://howleaderslead.com/plan/
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 Jim Weber, the CEO of Brooks Running, to learn even more about mastering the power of focus. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Let me ask you, have you felt stuck not knowing how to prioritize areas of your business? It’s hard to figure out what’s worth focusing on and what isn’t. And hey, let’s face it, it’s tempting to chase every shiny new opportunity that comes along! But when you listen to today’s episode, you’ll see that some pretty incredible things can happen in your business when you understand the power of focus. My guest today is Jim Weber, the CEO of Brooks Running. When he took over 20 years ago, they were trying to compete in every athletic category – and they were losing 4 or 5 million bucks a year doing it. Jim said, "Hey, let’s focus on ONE category – running – and let’s master it." And at first, the business shrank. But the very next year, the strategy was working. Now, they’ve crossed over the 1 billion dollar milestone in revenue. And they’ve got an extremely loyal customer base of runners, including my daughter Ashley, who ran a half marathon in Brooks! It all started with the power of focusing on a single type of customer. If you want to learn how it happened – and how to use the power of focus in your business – well, keep listening! Here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Jim Weber.
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 Maritza Montiel, former Deputy CEO and Vice Chairman of Deloitte, to learn how to summon the courage to take on big challenges. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
I hate to break it to you, but you won’t make it very far as a leader unless you know how to summon courage. See, leaders have to speak their minds. They gotta get out of their comfort zone. They gotta take risks and dream big. All of that takes courage, and lots of it! That’s why I’m so excited for you to hear from today’s guest, Maritza Montiel, who has GOT to be one of the most courageous leaders I know. She’s the former Deputy CEO and Vice Chairman of Deloitte and has blazed a trail as one of the most accomplished and admired women in corporate leadership. She believes we all have courage, and when you can tap into it, you can dream bigger, learn more from failure, take charge of your own career, and so much more. So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Maritza Montiel.
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 Peyton Manning, the legendary NFL quarterback, to learn even more about how to be guided by authenticity as a leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Today’s guest hardly needs an introduction because joining me is legendary quarterback Peyton Manning. After his extraordinary career in the NFL, Peyton is now succeeding in the business world – leading his own production house, bourbon brand, charitable foundation … I mean, is there anything this guy can’t do!? But here’s what I really love about Peyton: no matter what he does, he leads with authenticity. He doesn’t feel like he has to know all the answers in these new ventures. He’s comfortable asking questions and getting his team on board to figure out solutions. That authenticity also helps him know when to say yes to an opportunity – and when to pass when it doesn’t work for him and his family. In fact, he decided against a traditional broadcast career for that very reason. Instead, he and his brother Eli host the “Manningcast,” which is an alternate live broadcast of Monday Night Football with famous guests and lots of candid conversations. It’s creating a TON of buzz and even took home a Sports Emmy. People are drawn to the authenticity in the Manningcast and in Peyton’s leadership style. That’s why it’s so darn important for us to learn from leaders who aren’t afraid to be themselves. So here is my conversation with my good friend…and soon to be yours…Peyton Manning.
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 Geoff Yang, the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Redpoint Ventures, to learn even more about how to assess people for the skills and traits your team needs. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Today’s guest is my friend Geoff Yang, the founding partner and managing director of Redpoint Ventures. He’s a legendary venture capitalist who’s backed companies like Stripe, Netflix, Sonos, and DraftKings … just to name a few. I gotta say, Geoff really knows how to spot what ideas are gonna catch on. And in this conversation, we go into detail about what he looks for in a new idea and the big trends he’s excited about. But Geoff doesn’t just assess the ideas. He assesses the people behind them. He has to decide whether an entrepreneur has what it takes to turn that idea into a thriving company. So he’s become an expert at knowing exactly what traits great entrepreneurs have. And he’s gotten really good at assessing whether or not someone has them. That’s a skill EVERY leader needs because the consequences of making a poor assessment of talent and character can be pretty darn painful. But Geoff is proof positive that amazing things happen when we get it right. So if you want to know how to assess people, then you will love this conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Geoff Yang.
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 Brian Cornell, the Chairman and CEO of Target, to learn even more about how to manage your energy for peak performance as a leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
As a leader, you face long days, tough decisions, and constant pressure. And you want to navigate it all with courage and creativity and all the other great qualities we talk about here on the podcast. But to do ALL that, day in and day out, you need one thing: energy! And lots of it. Without it, you just won’t have the strength and stamina it takes to inspire others. If you want to become a great leader, you have to know how to manage your mental and physical energy. Fortunately, today’s guest is the perfect person to help you learn how. I’m talking with Brian Cornell, who has served as the Chairman and CEO of Target for the last eight years. I gotta tell ya, he is so upbeat and positive. He is ALWAYS dialed in. And it’s that unrelenting energy that has helped him lead Target as they’ve navigated massive retail challenges and come out even stronger. He’s going to inspire you with his energy – and he’s also going to tell you exactly what changed 15 years ago when he started to manage it differently. So here is my conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Brian Cornell.
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 Stan Druckenmiller, the #1 investor in the world. Listen in to hear even more about how to see the future differently and make more strategic investments in business, philanthropy, and life. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Welcome to How Leaders Lead where every week, you get to listen in while I interview some of the VERY best leaders in the world. I break down the key learnings so that by the end of the episode, you’ll have something simple you can apply as you develop into a better leader. That’s what this podcast is all about! Today’s guest is Stanley Druckenmiller, the #1 investor in the world. I know, that’s a big claim! But get this: during his 30 years managing money for investors, he had an average annual return of 31%. And he NEVER had a down year. So if you’re even a little interested in finance, you’re going to learn a lot from Stan – including some really practical investment advice and his take on the future of our economy. But more importantly, there’s a huge leadership lesson to learn. Stan isn’t afraid to envision the future differently than other people. He can see trends and patterns others can’t – and then he has the courage to act on them. That’s a skill EVERY leader needs to develop. Seeing the future differently allows us to spot opportunities and prepare for what’s coming. If we just go with the flow of what’s current, we’ll always just be a part of the trend, not ahead of it. You’re about to see for yourself how great leaders aren’t afraid to see the future differently. So here is my conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Stanley Druckenmiller.
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 Mark Erwin, the President and CEO of Bardstown Bourbon. Listen in to hear even more about how to achieve high performing success by equipping your team properly. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
If you want a high performing company, you need to build a high performing team. And we all want to get the most from our teams, but what do they need from us as leaders in order to succeed? Fortunately for us, I’m talking with Mark Erwin today. Now, this is a guy who has spent decades building and leading strong teams. He’s currently the President and CEO of Bardstown Bourbon, where he and his team are doing incredible things to stand out in a really crowded category. And he spent 25 years serving the Army, where he led the super elite Delta Force on countless top-secret missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact … I’m just gonna go ahead and say it … if you live in America, you’re safer today because of the way Mark Erwin built and commanded his teams. And as we mark the anniversary of 9/11 this week, I sure as heck am grateful for it. Some really incredible things are possible when we as leaders build strong teams – and Mark says that starts by equipping them properly. If you’re ready to see how that’s done, keep listening, because here is my conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Mark Erwin.
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 Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to fight complacency when your organization is doing well. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Well I couldn’t be more excited, because the new NFL season kicks off this week! Yeah, that’s right … football is back, baby! And it’s the perfect time to sit down and talk with my friend Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the National Football League. He is starting his sixteenth year as NFL Commissioner, and if you follow the news at all, you know Roger has had to make some tough decisions and deal with his fair share of challenges. And of COURSE we’re gonna dig into that during this conversation because there’s a lot we can learn about how he leads. But on the other hand, he’s the chief executive of the most popular pro sports league in the U.S. That kind of success comes with its OWN challenges. What does great leadership look like when your product is so dang popular? How do you fight against the complacency that often comes when you’re succeeding? Keep listening so you can learn exactly how to keep pushing the status quo, no matter what level of success you’ve achieved.
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 Kelly Coffey, CEO of City National Bank. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to embrace feedback and create new channels for getting it. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Ask any decent leader if it’s important to get feedback, and you’ll get the same answer. Of COURSE it is. We have to listen to what our teams and customers are saying if we want to improve our businesses. But getting good feedback is harder than it sounds. You can’t just put a comment box in the break room and call it a day! If you truly want to embrace feedback, you need a plan to get it and a genuine desire to listen to it. And nobody embraces feedback better than today’s guest, Kelly Coffey. She’s the CEO of City National Bank, where she oversees 5,000 associates in 70 offices, PLUS over 56 billion dollars in assets. And she’s building something really special because she is SO open to her team’s ideas, and her team knows exactly how to share those ideas with her. You’re about to learn so much about how great leaders embrace feedback. You’ll also discover:
How to get more feedback and collaboration from your team
A critical reminder for ALL leaders, no matter how fast-paced your world is
One practical idea to boost your confidence and quell those internal doubts
A key insight for anyone who works in a job where you need to be highly responsive
Advice for women who work in a male-dominated industries
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 Cyrus Freidheim, Management Consultant and Former CEO of Chiquita and Chicago Sun-Times. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to get an outside perspective. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Today’s guest is Cyrus Freidheim, the former CEO of both Chiquita and the Chicago Sun-Times and an absolutely legendary management consultant. Consultants often get a bad rap for over-charging and under-delivering. (And let’s be honest – sometimes, they deserve it!) But the RIGHT consultant delivers something that’s vital for your business: an outside perspective. It’s often the only way you can diagnose and fix your blind spots. And if you don’t, those blind spots will come back to haunt you! In this conversation, Cyrus will show you how to use that outside perspective to grow your businesses. As a consultant, he’s turned around countless organizations. He’s served on dozens of boards, and of course, he’s faced his own leadership challenges as CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times. He really has seen it all, and there is so much we can learn from him about the power of an outside perspective. You’ll also learn:
The first question you need to ask if you want to turn a business around
What to do when you face a major disagreement you just can’t resolve
Two vital ingredients in a successful consultant-leader relationship
Why having (and becoming) a mentor is crucial to your success
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 Jesse Cole, the owner of the Savannah Bananas. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to get people's attention. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
You can have the very best product, service, or cause in the world, but in order for it to really succeed, you need to be able to get people’s eyes and ears on it. You need their attention. But it’s harder than ever to get it. Fortunately for us, this episode features Jesse Cole, the Owner of the Savannah Bananas baseball team. He is an absolute genius at getting attention. And even better, he knows how to turn it into lasting loyalty. The Bananas are not your everyday baseball team! They are out to make baseball fun – they’re putting pitchers on stilts and lighting bats on fire and doing all kinds of wacky stuff. And it’s working. They sell out every game … they have over 2 million followers on TikTok … and they’re attracting serious attention from MLB teams who want to know how they do it. Jesse is gonna help you apply his strategies, so your organization can get the attention it really deserves. You’ll also learn:
What to say to your team when big ideas don’t work
One strategy you can use this week to inject fresh ideas into your organization
Why it’s okay to be misunderstood (and how to cope when it’s hard)
How to shift your focus from getting customers to getting fans
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 Marisa Thalberg, the chief brand and marketing officer of Lowe's. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to embrace big changes with curiosity. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
There’s that old saying that the only constant is change. Isn’t that the truth? And it’s especially true for leaders. We’ve always got to be scanning the horizon for the next disruption or big idea. Some leaders see those shifts coming and feel threatened. But great leaders know how to embrace those big changes with curiosity – and they’re the ones who find the new opportunities that big changes always bring. This conversation is going to help you become that kind of leader. Our guest is Marisa Thalberg, the Chief Brand and Marketing Officer of Lowe's – and an absolute legend in the marketing world. She was out ahead of digital and social at Estee Lauder. Her keen instincts at Taco Bell redefined the brand at a crucial time. And now, she’s at Lowe’s, looking ahead to how data and loyalty are once again changing the game. If you want to learn how to leverage big changes for your business, this is the conversation for you. We’re going to see exactly how great leaders embrace big changes with curiosity. You’ll also learn:
The trick to connecting dots that others might miss in order to differentiate a brand
How to lead a creative process – and the #1 thing to avoid when you start
Practical ways you can maximize sponsorships
Three things every business leader should know about working moms
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 Guy Raz, the host and creator of two wildly popular podcasts "How I Built This" and "Wisdom from the Top." Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to act in the service of others.
If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Guy is a remarkable leader who not only has the most soothing voice you’ll ever hear, but the motivation behind all that he does is something we can all learn from and be inspired by. And it’s this: he wants to serve his listeners and add value to their lives. I’ll tell ya’ ... I can’t think of a better quality of leadership than that—doing all that you do in service of others.
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 Bill Harrison, the former Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to prepare the next leader.
If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Have you ever worked for somebody who’s taken you under their wing and believed in you enough to pave the way for you to take his or her job? Let me tell you, throughout my career, I’ve had the great fortune of this happening to me multiple times. But here’s the sad thing, I don’t think this is all too common of a story. Too many leaders have a “you work for me” mentality and the last thing they want is for you to take their job. So they actually hold you back. So what do we do about this? Well, we can learn to be the kind of leader who can identify top talent and do whatever is required to help them succeed in their careers, so that they’re prepared to take your job or another another job like it. On this week’s episode, you’re going to learn how to do this from one of the all-time greats. Bill Harrison is an example to follow in how he prepared the next leader of JPMorganChase (Jamie Dimon).
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 Dawn Sweeney, former President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Listen in to hear even more about why speaking up when something can be better is a quality of great leaders.
If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Today’s guest is Dawn Sweeney, the former President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Steve Jobs used to say of Apple: “Excellence is the price of admission.” What he meant by that was that excellence was standard operating procedure. It’s what was expected. In an environment like this, colleagues push each other to make things better. They push the boundary of what’s possible, and if someone feels like a project or an idea can be better, they speak up! Dawn Sweeney, and the great leaders I know, do this very same thing. They speak up when something can be better. They don’t accept the status quo, but instead have the courage to push for making everything the best it can be. This, my friends, is what it looks like to strive for excellence. And doing things with excellence is the mark of a great company. If you haven't already, sign up for my weekly leadership development plan and get the tips you need to get prepare for a busy week straight in your inbox on Sunday evenings. Go to https://howleaderslead.com/plan and sign up today.
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 Rob Manfred, Commissioner of MLB. Listen in to hear even more about how finding common ground is a quality of every great leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan
Have you ever been in one of those situations where you have to make a tough call and you know that no matter what you choose, someone won’t be happy? What are you supposed to do in those moments? Well, Rob Manfred is no stranger to this dilemma. Each and every day, he has to manage relationships with the 30 team owners, the players, the fans, and the union. What you’ll hear in this conversion is how Rob finds common ground to keep moving forward. Finding common ground is not always easy, but it’s a skill that I’ve found in so many of the leaders I respect. Baseball fan or not, I know there’s a lot for you to learn about leadership from today’s conversation. If you haven't already, sign up for my weekly leadership development plan and get the tips you need to get prepare for a busy week straight in your inbox on Sunday evenings. Go to https://howleaderslead.com/plan and sign up today.
Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our guests. This week, we're talking about Jason Kelly, Cofounder and CEO of Ginkgo BioWorks. Today my co-host Koula Callahan asks me about learning from companies in other industries, communicating vision to get employee buy-in, and explaining the complexities of Yum! Brands with clear and compelling stories. If you haven't already, sign up for my weekly leadership development plan and get the tips you need to get prepare for a busy week straight in your inbox on Sunday evenings. Go to https://howleaderslead.com/plan and sign up today.
Today’s guest is Jason Kelly, the cofounder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, the largest designer of synthetic DNA in the world. Think back to the last time someone asked you what you did for a living. For as simple of a question this is, it can actually be really hard to answer. The reason is, in the back of your mind you might be thinking “where do I even start?!” Running a business is complex! But until you learn to simplify all of the complexity and learn to talk about what you do in a simple way, you’ll be limiting the kind of impact you could be making as a leader. And this is something that Jason Kelly has mastered. I mean, tell me a more complex business to have to explain than a synthetic biology platform company. And yet, Jason has learned to simplify the complex. I’m no bioengineering buff but when I hear Jason talk about Ginkgo and what’s possible with the technology they’re pioneering and scaling, he has me leaning in! So whether you’re leading a billion-dollar brand or a small business, how you communicate as a leader matters. The great leaders I know have learned to simplify the complex.
Today is the first edition of 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our guests. This week, we're talking about Ken Langone, Cofounder of The Home Depot. To co-host the show, I’m bringing in someone from my team so we can dive deeper into my conversation with Ken and learn a little more about leadership. Koula Callahan leads our content and marketing, and today she gets to turn the tables and ask ME three questions based on last week's episode. Let's get started! If you haven't already, sign up for my weekly leadership development plan and get the tips you need to get prepare for a busy week straight in your inbox on Sunday evenings. Go to https://howleaderslead.com/plan/ and sign up today.
Today's guest is really special. He’s a person I love with all my heart and who's been a mentor of mine for several years. He's Ken Langone, the Cofounder of The Home Depot and Chairman of NYU Langone Health. Now, here's a guy who's had more success than you could ever imagine in almost every way you could think about it. He's the most popular guest host of Squawk Box. He’s sought out on every major issue by the media. He's even been featured on 60 Minutes for his breakthrough thinking at NYU Langone Health. He's an incredible business leader and a renowned philanthropist. And one thing will be absolutely clear when you listen to this conversation. The reason why he's had so much success is his deep down belief in the power of people. There's no doubt Ken believes that you have to recognize people, recognize talent, believe in them and show up for the people you have the privilege to lead.
Today’s guest is Carol Loomis, Former Senior Editor-at-large at Fortune magazine. There’s so much I admire about how Carol has navigated her career. She’s blazed her own trail and done things no women had ever done before in the journalism field, which has paved the way for women in other industries too. Not only did she create what is known today as the Fortune 500 list, she was an advisor, editor, and friend to Warren Buffet, who she’d talk to almost daily for decades. She even wrote a book about him called “Tap Dancing to Work.” But what stands out to me about how Carol leads is that she’s taken one step at a time. She pushed through barriers and made a name for herself by doing excellent work until she retired from Fortune after working there for 60 years. There’s a lot to learn about her tenacity and drive, and her one step at a time approach.
There's so much to admire about Jon Rahm. He's obviously super talented, absolutely the real deal, and an extraordinary competitor. But I think you'll be surprised to learn that one of his most distinguishing characteristics is his love for the history of the game. Not only does it help him to appreciate those who’ve come before him, but he uses what he’s learned to give him a competitive edge and help him in the heat of battle. Knowing your history can be your advantage too. Because here's the thing: the best leaders I know use history to learn from and inspire them about what’s possible.
Today’s guest is Bill Acquavella, one of the most renowned art dealers in the world and Head of Acquavella Galleries. In the art business, reputation is everything. Bill has sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of art and his customers, people like Mick Jagger and Steve Wynn and Henry Ford II, have absolute trust in what they’re buying from him. They’re confident spending money with Bill like they do because of the confidence they have in him. So the question for us is: how do we build up our reputations as leaders where people will trust us in the big moments? Well, this is an episode chock full of stories from some of Bill’s biggest deals. We can learn to build up trust by hearing how he’s built up his. It’s true for Bill and it’s true for leaders … reputation is everything.
Today’s guest is Juliet Funt, the CEO of the Juliet Funt group where she’s a tough-love advisor to Fortune 500 companies like Google, Costco, Nike, and Spotify. She’s also an author and we’re going to be talking about her book A Minute to Think throughout the conversation. Now when was the last time you had a minute to think? Because if you’re like a lot of leaders, your calendar is jam packed and when you’re not in meetings, you can hardly keep up with constant emails and a task list that seems to have no end. So what are we supposed to do about the kind of work where we need to stop and think before we respond? Or when we need to strategize about a crisis that’s imminent? There just doesn’t seem to be time! And it’s costing us in more ways than we even realize. Juliet is about to teach us how we can get rid of the busyness in our lives so that we can show up as better leaders. There are so many practical takeaways in this episode and I can’t wait for you to listen in.
Today’s guest is Ryan Serhant, star of Bravo’s television series Million Dollar Listing: New York and Sell it Like Serhant. He also runs a wildly successful real estate firm. We all know that a leader casts a shadow in their organization, meaning the people in the company mirror what they see in their leader. The truth is, some leaders aren’t fully committed. While they may be clocking in everyday, their teams can see them going through the motions, and so what they get in return is a disengaged team that’s mirroring their lack of commitment. But then there are leaders like Ryan who go ALL IN! They are the leaders who are excited to go to work, and their excitement and energy spill over to their teams, and as a result, they have engaged teams who bring their best each and every day. My guess is that you probably want to be a leader—and have a team—more like Ryan. How can you make that happen? Well, what you’re about to learn from Ryan Serhant is what it looks like to go all in and the impact that approach will have on the team you lead. And boy, does Ryan have some crazy stories! I’ll let him tell the full version, but there was a time he flew to Europe in an attempt to close an $8 million deal for an apartment in New York. Talk about going all in!
Today’s guest is Paul Varga, the former Chairman and CEO of Brown-Forman, the largest distilling company in the world with brands like Jack Daniels and Woodford Reserve. They have a saying at Brown-Forman, “Build Forever.” The company started in 1890, and the way Paul sees it, it was his responsibility to steward two key parts of the business. He wanted to continue to build their iconic brands, but he also made it a top priority to build their people up as well. Because what a tragedy it would be if the brands grew and their people didn’t grow with it! What you’re about to hear is why Paul cared so deeply about developing his people and ultimately, how that drove success in their business. The great leaders I know build forever, stewarding both their brands and their people.
Today's guest is Molly Fletcher, who CNN hailed as the female Jerry Maguire, for her work negotiating over $500 million in contracts as a sports agent. If I were to ask you what you do for a living, my guess is you likely wouldn't respond with “I'm a negotiator.” But when you think about it, you're in negotiations multiple times a day: as you collaborate with your team about a project deadline, as your leadership team debates what the company should focus on, and even something as simple as which restaurant you should go to for a client meeting. You constantly have to work through a variety of priorities to settle on a satisfactory decision. The great leaders I know understand that they are constantly negotiating and have learned to navigate these situations extremely well. And you're about to learn negotiation from someone who has done a lot of it.
Today's guest is Patrick Spence, the CEO of Sonos. So many tech companies that build consumer products are set up in a way where they make their products obsolete every time they launch a new product. The idea is that the minute the new device is available, their customers will abandon the old product and buy the newest model. But what's interesting is that Sonos has a very different strategy. They set out to build their products to last. They want their customers to have their products for a long, long time. It's a unique approach in their industry. But there's something about it, that core principle that ties in well with the mark of a great leader. You see, the great leaders, I know, they build the last, they make decisions to keep the brand strong beyond just the present moment. They develop leaders in their organization. So there's always a pipeline of strong talent when new opportunities arise. They treat their customers with dignity and respect, which breeds long term brand loyalty. I could go on and on and what you're about to hear from Patrick Spence, and how he leads Sonos as their CEO, is that he's leading with this build the last approach in all aspects of the business. I can't wait for you to listen in.
Today's guest is Terry McGurk, the Chairman of the Atlanta Braves. In 2016, right after the Braves went 68-93 (a pretty rough season), Terry told me that it would take five years to turn the franchise around. Well guess what? He had a turnaround plan that worked. And in 2021, the Braves won the World Series, which is exactly what he predicted. In this episode, you'll hear him talk about how they did this. But the lesson for us here as leaders is that Terry had extreme clarity about where he and the organization needed to go. Many leaders don't have a clear vision for their teams. Instead, they get caught in a vicious cycle of responding to emails and attending meetings without doing the necessary work to pause and zoom out and get clear about where the company needs to go. The goal of the leader is to take their team to victory. And we can't do that if we haven't first identified exactly where we need to go. You're about to hear how a great leader like Terry McGuirk had a clear view of success and how he assembled a team around him to execute that vision.
Today’s guest is Larry Bossidy … the former chairman and CEO of Honeywell International and author of the book Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done. Have you ever put together a business strategy that didn’t work? Or perhaps the plans to execute that strategy weren’t effective and ultimately, you failed? Building a strategy is one thing and executing it successfully is another. But Larry knows what it takes to get things done and in this conversation, you’re going to hear how he leverages three things, just three things to make big things happen: people, strategy, and operations. It was the process and discipline he put around those parts of the business that made his teams successful and it’s what you can focus on as a leader if you too want to be successful.
Today’s guest is Elane Stock, the CEO of ServiceMaster Brands. There’s an adage I’m sure you’ve heard: the only way to gain control is to give up control. If you’ve ever run a business or led a team, you know how true this statement is. I’m sure you also know how hard it can be to give up control. But if we want our companies to grow, we have to learn to trust our partners and team members and allow them to do their part to build the business. What you’re going to hear in this episode is how Elane has learned to give up control while running a franchise system where her company owns the brands and the franchisees own their independent businesses. Whether you’re struggling to give up control running a large business with franchisees or running a small business, there’s a lot here for you on today’s episode. And here’s what I want you to learn today: the great leaders I know have learned to give up control.
Today’s guest is James Gorman, the Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley. In Australia, there’s something known as the Tall Poppy Syndrome. In a field of poppies, there are always one or two that stand out from the rest and it disrupts the beauty of the field. And so for that reason, they’ll snip off those poppies … they trim them down so they don’t stand out amongst the others. What’s interesting is that as a culture, Australians do this with one another. If someone starts to succeed and think too highly of themselves, they help to keep each other grounded. And it’s important for all of us, as leaders, to know who keeps us grounded. Humility is vital if we want our success to be sustainable.
Today’s guest is Jim Nantz, an Emmy Award winning sports commentator, and in my opinion, the top sports commentator in the world! He’s the voice of the NFL on CBS, the NCAA’s March Madness, and golf—in particular, the Masters. As you well know, Jim is an incredible storyteller and communicator. He is able to pull stories and statistics seemingly from nowhere that really capture the moment. What you may not realize is just how much work he puts in to prepare for every broadcast. Regardless of how much time you spend in front of a camera, showing up prepared is a quality of great leaders. And I’ll tell you, Jim is an exceptional leader who’s at the top of his game. I think you’re going to learn a lot from Jim and be inspired by how he does his work.
Today, we're going to talk about a book that I coauthored with my friend Jason Goldsmith, a sports performance coach for world class athletes. The book is available now wherever you buy books, and is titled Take Charge of You: How Self-Coaching Can Transform Your Life and Career. Now, what makes this book different is you can obviously read this book from front to back, and I know you'll enjoy the stories that Jason and I tell. But the big differentiator is that we have great exercises and tools that you can use in this book to help you coach yourself to reach your full potential in your life and career. This is a book you can not only read, it's a book you can use again and again to take yourself to new heights. Now, you know, I usually do these podcasts myself and ask all the questions, but I thought it'd be a lot of fun to let you hear from both Jason and I and have someone else interview us. So I asked my friend Donna Barton Brothers to sit in and guide our conversation. Donna is a former jockey and world renowned broadcaster for NBC. She's the one you see at the Kentucky Derby interviewing the winner on horseback (while riding backwards). So we're off to the races! Let's not wait any longer. Here's a very fun conversation with two of my good friends, Donna Barton Brothers and Jason Goldsmith.
In this BONUS episode of How Leaders Lead, David shares the introduction to his new book, Take Charge of You: How Self-Coaching can Transform your Life and Career. Find out how to take the methods and metrics of coaching into your own hands and find the success you want in life.
This week’s guest is Dr. Tom House, a world-renowned expert in the biomechanics of throwing who's coached elite athletes like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Nolan Ryan, and Greg Maddux. He's been called a quarterback whisperer and a pitching guru, but if you ask him, he prefers to simply be called “coach.” Tom is the preeminent pioneer who brought science into the coaching equation. For decades, Tom has used elite athletes to create models that others can replicate. For example, if you're a little league pitcher or high school quarterback, Tom has developed technology that will compare your mechanics and timing to Nolan Ryan or Tom Brady. Now just think about the coaching that provides young up-and-coming athletes! The leadership lesson for us here is that we should do the same in business. We should look to those who’ve come before us that have been wildly successful and mirror our approach to what they do to build healthy, high-performing businesses. The great leaders learn from the best and then apply those learnings to be even more successful themselves. You're going to learn:
How to learn from the best and democratize that information
How to make a habit of continuous improvement
How to embrace failure as a more valuable learning experience than success
What Tom learned when he slowed down Sandy Kofax’s pitch, and how that information transformed coaching
How to turn broken players into top-performers
Why preparation is more valuable than talent
How Tom Brady became one of the fastest quarterbacks in NFL history
How Drew Brees went from a busted, career-ending shoulder injury back to top-performance
The story behind Disney’s movie Million Dollar Arm
How to bring out the best in your team members
PLUS, Tom’s advice the parents of student athlete (hint: the struggle is worth it).
Today's guest is Stephanie Stuckey, the CEO of Stuckey’s. This company started in 1937 by Stephanie's grandfather who opened a single store in eastern Georgia. It was one of the country's first roadside retail shops. At its peak in the 1970s, Stuckey’s had grown to 368 stores in 40 states, along pretty much every major interstate. From humble beginnings to a roadside empire. But then, things turned for the worst due to external threats and internal weaknesses. When Stephanie took over the business in 2019, she was faced with challenges in every aspect of the business. How do you reimagine a brand and get the train back on the track? Well, you can't live in the past. You can't be thinking about how it used to be. You have to think about how it has to be TODAY. So she went to work thinking about new possibilities, new ways to make money, and new ways to satisfy customers. The result? A company that was losing money is now profitable again and the brand legacy has been restored. So whether you're leading a turnaround like Stephanie is or simply need to reimagine the way you get things done in your company or with your team, there's a lot you can learn from this week’s episode, like:
How to revive a brand
How to generate new revenue streams
The benefits of an entrepreneurial mindset
How to build rapport with customers and partners
How to cultivate employee involvement
PLUS, how a has-been company is making a comeback in 21st century style.
Today’s guest is Shantanu Narayen, the Chairman and CEO of Adobe. It’s the leader’s job to communicate the vision of the company in a way that ignites the hearts and minds of the people they lead and plant the flag of a big idea. Our teams don’t show up simply for the paycheck. They want something bigger to be a part of, a compelling vision to get behind that infuses all kinds of meaning and passion into their day to day. Since 2018, Adobe’s valuation has tripled and is now at 300 billion dollars. That type of growth is possible because of the work Shantanu has done to lead his team toward a compelling vision. Adobe is a team of innovators and they’re chasing a vision they believe in, one their team is pursuing together, and with passion. There’s a lot we can learn from Shantanu and how he’s igniting the hearts and minds of the people he leads. In this episode, you’ll learn:
How a software engineer becomes a CEO, and what roads and flags have to do with it
How to prioritize long-term innovation AND short-term execution
How to disrupt your own company in order to stay ahead of competitors
Why having data AND a narrative matters in an Adobe performance review
Why this year’s stock price is not a good indicator of current performance
PLUS, Why your vision may not yet be aspirational ENOUGH
Today's guest is Larry Senn, who's actually the father of corporate culture, and the Chairman and Senn Delaney. Larry and his business partner were hired by Sam Walton in the early days of Walmart. And it was there that Larry began to understand the intangible part of an organization that really makes a difference. Today, we call this company culture, which is simply defined as the way people behave and the way they work together. Believe it or not, Larry published the world's first research on corporate culture, and has spent his entire career helping organizations be at their best, when you think about it, helping others be at their best. That is what being a great leader, and a great coach is all about. And I'll tell you, Larry has made quite an impact in my life as my coach over the years.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
How Larry built a flower business and bought a Jaguar K 120 sports car at age 18
How Larry learned that he was in the wrong career after college, and what he did to make a change
What Larry learned as a consultant for Sam Walton before Walmart went big
How to build exercises that inspire employees to embrace change
What jigsaw puzzles reveal about teamwork
How to build actionable work values and principles
Why it’s hard to get company cultures to change
How to develop the mindset of a leader
The best and worst things leaders can do for (and to) their companies
PLUS How to thrive at work and home without making compromises
Today's guest is Brittany Fuisz, the Founder and CEO of Malibu Mylk. Building something from scratch is not easy. In fact, the majority of businesses that launched don't make it past five years. So what is it that allows some companies to thrive while others fail? Whoever leads the business in the mindset they approach their work with is a key ingredient in the success of a company. And in my conversation with Brittany, you're about to see a unique mindset on full display as she tells a story of launching Malibu Mylk. Brittany has what I call a startup mindset, and what I mean by that is incredible passion to make something big happen and truly change the world. They're not willing for someone to tell them what to do. They think outside the box, they give themselves the permission to charge forward and they attack every unknown and challenge with optimism. In this episode you’ll learn:
What’s going on in the milk category
How to build a brand from scratch as an outsider
How a celebrity’s advice sent Brittany down an unexpected career path
How Brittany scaled the success of her blender to something that could be mass-produced
How to respond to setbacks in quality
What it really takes to be ready for a meeting with Whole Foods
How the Malibu Mylk subscription model works
The formula for a great culture
How to embrace pushback that improves the brand
PLUS, Brittany shares a promo code for getting your own batch of Malibu Mylk!
Find the tools you need to become a better leader at https://howleaderslead.com. Get your first order of Malibu Mylk 20% off when you use the promo code LEAD20 at checkout.
Today's guest is Scott Hamilton, an Olympic gold medalist and founder of the Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation, an organization that is working to eliminate cancer. Now, Scott obviously doesn't need much of an introduction. You already know about his gold medal and figure skating. You probably have seen his incredible backflips on the ice. And you have likely watched him as a commentator on the Olympics over the years. And while you may know him for his successes, you may not know about the challenges that he's had to overcome to win. His childhood illness, cancer, multiple brain tumors, the times he's fallen on the ice in critical situations. Scott says any goal will always have obstacles, difficulties and setbacks. You will be defined not by those setbacks, but by how you respond to them. There's so much that we can learn from Scott about how to get up after we all fall and let me tell you something, we all do. I'm so excited to have you listen in. Here's my conversation with my new friend – and soon to be yours – Scott Hamilton.
Today's guest is Ken Chenault, the Former Chairman and CEO of American Express, and the current Chairman and Managing Partner of General Catalyst, a dynamic private equity firm. Now, if you run a business or lead a team, there are moments when you need to lean into confrontation. And I don't mean dance around the confrontation, I'm talking about facing it head on. For a lot of people, this can be really hard to do, really intimidating. But the great leaders I know, like Ken, have learned how to engage in constructive confrontation. In this episode, you'll also learn:
Today's guest is Aneel Bhusri, the Co-Founder, Co-CEO and Chairman of Workday, an American on‑demand financial management and human capital management software vendor. When Aneel started Workday with David Duffield, they defined a handful of core values for their company. Now this is pretty common practice for business leaders, but here's the problem. A lot of leaders write down the company values and never think about them again. They even laminate them, put them up on the wall, but I’ve got to tell you, all they do is collect dust. But that wasn't the case with Aneel and his Co-Founder Dave Duffield, they decided that investing in their people was going to be the number one value at their company. So how did they live out that value? Well, believe it or not, they personally interviewed the first 500 team members they hired. Now that's something that says they value people over anything else. The key lesson here is that they aligned their schedules and their priorities with the company's number one value. You see, the great leaders I know walk the talk of their core values. They just don't write them down and forget them. They actually use their core values to dictate how they spend their time, and how they focus their energy. We have a lot to learn from today's conversation, including:
Why Aneel shifted from applying for a job at Apple to join an HR software startup instead
How a hostile takeover led to a new venture
What value system Aneel and Dave built the company around
Why the Co-Founders interviewed the first 500 employees together, regardless of other work and time priorities
Why Aneel looks for “shiny new penny folks” when hiring talent
Why the tech team goes off-site every few years to talk about the future
How to get customers involved in innovation
How to build partnerships between humans and machines that don’t compromise the work value of either
Why Aneel prefers having a Co-CEO
Why Phil Mickelson does Workday advertising
PLUS Aneel’s advice for aspiring leaders
Find the leadership tools and resources you need to up your game at https://howleaderslead.com
Today’s guest is Ginni Rometty, the Former Chairman, President and CEO of IBM and current Co-Chairman of the OneTen Initiative. Rising through the ranks from systems engineer to CEO, Ginni has learned to be comfortable with situations outside her comfort zone, because that’s where she grew the most in her journey as a leader. While leading IBM, Ginni learned what was essential about IBM that must endure before making changes that set the company up for future growth in new industries. And so what you're about to hear from Ginni, and what you'll learn from her journey to become CEO of IBM, is that great leaders are comfortable being uncomfortable.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to mentally process a promotion to the top job - especially as a woman
How Ginni’s mother modelled the courage and leadership Ginni needed to succeed
Why propensity to learn is more important than a college degree in a job candidate
Why women don’t put themselves forward for new assignments and how to help them go the distance
Why preparing for the next job might actually a bad idea
How to make the leap from being an individual contributor to a leader who coordinates other people effectively
How to focus on the long-term with conviction and a thick skin
Why Ginni’s favorite IBM achievement is employee engagement
How the hybrid cloud works and the future of artificial intelligence at IBM and around the world
How the OneTen Initiative intends to tap hidden pools of talent by changing priorities in hiring
PLUS, Ginni’s single biggest piece of advice for reinventing yourself and your company
Check out videos from this episode and other great interviews at https://howleaderslead.com
Today's guest is Dave Calhoun, the President and CEO of Boeing, the largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners Defense, Space and security systems. Dave joined Boeing as CEO in January of 2020, and little did he know the challenges that he’d be up against only a couple months later, when COVID hit. But what Dave has shown is the great leaders restore stability in the midst of a crisis. When we are thrown a right hook that we don't expect when things are a bit chaotic, we look to great leaders to show us how we should think and behave. Now what you're going to hear in this interview is how Dave helped Boeing navigate not only COVID and the massive impact that it had on the airline industry, but also how Boeing has handled the situation of their 737 Max, which was banned from flying passengers due to two plane crashes in 2018 and 19. Now it takes a strong leader to navigate those situations and restore stability on the other side.
Today's guest is Will Ahmed, the Founder and CEO of WHOOP, a wearable fitness tracker that measures a few key metrics to help top athletes and everyday consumers achieve peak performance. You're going to learn that Will is an incredibly sharp young leader. Believe it or not, he's in his early 30s, running a company that was recently valued at $3.6 billion. Running a company at that level requires a whole other level of discipline, when it comes to focusing in on what truly matters. If you want to keep your business healthy, no matter what size a company you lead, it's imperative that you measure and keep your eyes on a few vital metrics at all times. You're going to learn:
How problems with athletic overtraining led to a company that helps monitor sleep
The hidden side of sleep and the WHOOP tracker
How WHOOP can compete with the Apple Watch
How simple metrics lead to better decision-making
How Will went from student athlete to company builder
How Will maintains steady focus through delegation and meditation
Why the WHOOP business model emulates Peloton instead of FitBit
How to “Growtain” your customers
How to be excellent in multiple complication industries at once
How WHOOP built promotion partnerships with top athletes and sports networks
How to find and develop people who are high intensity AND high humility
Why WHOOP pays its employees to sleep
PLUS Will’s best advice for entrepreneurs
To round off 2021, today’s episode features six of David’s favorite insights from the year from leaders like Marvin Ellison, Indra Nooyi, and Tom Brady. You’re going to learn about how to react to overwhelming and scary situations with focus, confidence, planning, and communication. Plus, David will teach you his number one exercise for taking stock of where you are now in order to work towards where you want to go. In this episode, you’ll learn:
David’s 3x5 exercise for self-evaluation going into a new year
Tom Brady’s model for clear, current communication with teammates
Niren Chaudhary’s process for bringing clarity and purpose to overwhelming situations
Indra Nooyi’s advice for balancing work and home life
Kara Goldin’s conviction about how to escape the bondage of fear in business
Andy Roddick’s ritual for staying focused to play point after point in tennis without losing it
Marvin Ellison’s story about learning to stand out as himself rather than blend in as someone else
Check out https://howleaderslead.com/best-of-2021/ for more great leadership insights, and go to https://howleaderslead.com/survey to share your great insights about the podcast!
Today's guest is Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. Earlier in his career as a player, Steve won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls alongside the one and only Michael Jordan. He then went on to win two more titles playing for the San Antonio Spurs, and then he became a coach and won three more titles for the Warriors. Needless to say, this guy knows how to win, and he knows how to build teams that win. What you may be surprised to learn, though, is how he does it. The way Steve leads is by understanding the power of the team, from superstars to bench and everything in between. You're going to hear all about this on today's episode, as well as how you too can apply Steve's insights to whatever team you happen to be leading. In this episode you'll learn:
Who Steve Kerr learned from in order to coach
Why joy matters in casting the vision for a team
What a great team player looks like
How to coach superstars and the bench
What it takes to rack up 300 passes a game
How to work past mental barriers to perform with excellence
How to motivate the team
How to delegate areas of weakness with strength
What Steve learned from playing with Lute Olson, Phil Jackson, and Gregg Popovich
Why Steve wanted to let the Warriors coach themselves one game
Who Steve would pick if Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant all came out in the draft in the same year
What Steve thinks about The Last Dance documentary
How Steve balances priorities at home and on the court
Find the tools you need to become a better leader at https://howleaderslead.com.
From the United States Marine Corps to Wall Street, Eric Gleacher believes the world belongs to the aggressive. After one round of golf with the right person, the trajectory of his career changed as he pursued his dream of working in finance. After only four years at Lehman Brothers, Eric became a partner and was a large part of establishing the merger and acquisition department. Against the advice of many around him, Gleacher left Lehman Brothers to start his own firm. These risks and experiences have culminated in Gleacher’s book, Risk, Reward, Repeat. Listen as David and Eric discuss the indelible impact of the Marines, working with flawless integrity, and how to take the right risks. in this conversation, you're going to learn:
The story behind Eric’s new book, Risk. Reward. Repeat
How golf helped Eric get to Wall Street
Where mergers and acquisitions all started
What the Marines taught Eric about confidence, integrity, and leadership
How to take risks in your career
How the My Nickel argument can transform your meetings with potential clients
A force of positivity and pioneer of Financial Technology, Alexa von Tobel felt so strongly about democratizing financial advice for Americans that she dropped out of Harvard business school to build her first business, LearnVest, in 2008. After revolutionizing digital financial services, she sold LearnVest the very same week that she gave birth to her first child. Now, Alexa von Tobel is the Managing Partner of Inspired Capital, a venture capital firm which she founded in 2019. You'll also learn:
How growing up in a medical family and losing her Dad in high school prepared Alexa for life and leadership.
How studying the psychology of happiness prepared Alexa to quit business school during a Recession and start a finance education company.
What leaders can do to lead through uncertainty and stay sane, healthy, and fulfilled.
Why Alexa sold LearnVest to Northwestern Mutual and started a venture capital firm in New York City.
The fastest way to get “no” and “yes” when fundraising.
The importance of having people around you who believe in you, encourage you, and keep you accountable.
The one thing you need to do in order to succeed.
Scott Mahoney, the Chairman and CEO of Peter Millar, goes the distance to for quality in how he shapes the brand and develops his people. Coming up in business, it wasn’t until Scott worked at Polo that he found his love for golf and apparel sales married in an exciting career. He was inspired to buy Peter Millar during the long drive back from a USGA meeting, and moved quickly to scale the brand up. Scott leads with attention to getting things done more efficiently by getting people excited to do them. For example, knowing that Peter Millar product can only be sold once store associates put it on the floor, Scott and his team designed the shipping arrangements to be intuitive for stockroom employees to handle. He even threw a mint in the shipping box to sweeten the deal. Scott was quick to bring nearly everything in house to ensure the quality of product, marketing, promotion, finance, and production, and has taken the apparel world by storm as a result. SHOW NOTES
Peter Millar then and now
How Scott got into fashion and sales at Polo
How the crazy idea to buy Peter Millar became reality
Turning a golf sweater company into a lifestyle brand
Getting into Nordstrom and the trick to getting product from box to shelf
Getting into brick and mortar
Clothing the US President’s Cup golf team
Building an e-commerce business with the same great quality
Getting to the top and staying focused
Building a high-quality culture
Lightning Round
Find the tools you need to become a better leader at https://davidnovakleadership.com and https://howleaderslead.com.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache is a renowned American orthopedic surgeon best known as the Lead Physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Rams — as well as his patents and innovation in sports medicine. As a leader, Neal believes strongly in the three “A’s” — Affability, Availability, and Ability. Listen as David and Neal discuss why chasing passion is a sure way to set yourself up for failure and burnout, and that there’s something better to chase. Show Notes
Intro
Finding joy in performing Tommy Johns surgery
Growing up to become a surgeon
Pursuing purpose over passion in your career
How to think critically and sensitively as a surgeon
What it's like serving as team physician for the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Dodgers
Working with Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Torre, NFL coach Sean McVeigh, golfer Brooks Koepka, and the legendary Tom Brady
How to be mentored and mentor others
Lightning Round
Advice for aspiring leaders
Find the tools you need to become a better leader at https://davidnovakleadership.com and https://howleaderslead.com.
The Creative Artists Agency, or CAA as it’s commonly referred to, is the world’s largest talent and sports agency. CAA represents the top artists in show business — names like Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Ben Platt, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and more. At the helm of the music division is Rob Light, a managing partner and worldwide chief. The trajectory of Rob’s career changed in one night... the night he attended his first Bruce Springsteen concert. Listen as David and Rob discuss starting in the mailroom, revamping the Las Vegas concert scene, and why he turned down an opportunity to be the fourth hire at MTV.
SHOW NOTES
Intro
The scope of Creative Artists Agency and how COVID-19 disrupted music
How Bruce Springsteen jumpstarted Rob’s career in music
How to recognize and develop young talent--including Dua Lipa
How to be a valuable agent and leader
How Rob Light created the music boom in Las Vegas
What Rob learned from turning down the chance to help build MTV
How to close deals decisively and get a win-win.
How Rob coached a young associate to work for Beyoncé
How Rob signed Sting in a single phone call
What it was like working with Prince
How to test for honesty with golf
Lightning Round
3 Bits of Advice
How to balance a fast-paced career with family
How to live in the moment for others.
Farewell
How do leaders navigate conversations about the challenges parents, and especially women, face in the workplace? The first step is to simply have the conversation and get the shared perspectives of men and women. In this special episode from the How Leaders Lead Insight Series, Ashley Novak Butler, the Executive Director of the Lift-a-Life Foundation, interviews her dad, David, and Indra Nooyi about Indra’s new New York Times best-selling book, My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future. Indra shares her story about growing up in India and the support she had to pursue her career while being a devoted mom, and the challenges she faced that she wants to remove for women coming up behind her in business, including problems with HR, childcare, and even cobblestone paths.
0:00 | Show intro
2:16 | The story behind Indra Nooyi’s memoir, and why work-life balance is the wrong goal.
9:48 | Upbringing: What Indra and David learned from their families that equipped them for future success, and how to extend those benefits to others.
16:42 | Coming up next week… Rob Light, Managing Partner of Creative Artists Agency
24:39 | How to set expectations for juggling the priorities of work and family with your spouse in order to have a fulfilling marriage.
35:15 | The surprising link between Mom guilt and the perfection gene.
40:01 | Expanding the presence of women in leadership.
46:26 | Advice for dealing with condescending behavior towards women.
49:47 | How to protect your reputation and health in business.
55:10 | Insights on mentorship and advocating for talent in general and women in particular.
58:51 | How to improve human resources to better serve all talent, and the implications of how two different people viewed the same cobblestone pathway.
1:08:48 | How to help women re-enter the workforce.
1:11:07 | Family lightning round
1:13:01 | How to make work-family life work.
1:14:45 | Farewell
Find the tools you need to become a better leader at https://davidnovakleadership.com and https://howleaderslead.com.
Co-founder and CEO of ianacare, Jessica Kim was thrust into the role of caregiver when her mother fell ill. Both of her parents moved in with her, and through this challenging and isolating time, Kim discovered the need to connect and offer support to those in similar positions. Listen as Jessica and David discuss the realities of caregiving, the power of empathy and launching a new business during a pandemic.
Show Notes 0:00 | Intro and welcome
2:07 | The ianacare origin story
10:06 | Pivoting the business to work through COVID-19
13:11 | Leading with passion and precision
21:05 | How work with co-founders and scale a startup the right way
24:09 | How to lead remote and hybrid teams
31:31 | Jessica’s upbringing and path to becoming an entrepreneur
37:15 | What starting a baked goods company taught Jessica about mentorship, branding, and career trajectory
44:07 | How to work with big companies as an entrepreneur
50:07 | Twitter Insights: What Jessica thinks about reverse pitches, startup hustle, and expanding conversations about diversity
54:41 | Lightning Round
57:41 | Farewell and David’s closing insights
Find the tools you need to become a better leader at https://davidnovakleadership.com and https://howleaderslead.com.
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. Grow yourself as a leader with resources from https://davidnovakleadership.com and https://howleaderslead.com.
As Chairman and CEO of one of the largest family-owned businesses, Chick-Fil-A, Dan Cathy attaches an “in-training” modifier to his name cards as a reminder to continue learning, growing and making mistakes. As a leader, Dan believes that internal service quality will be reflected externally, which informed the decision to remain closed on Sundays. Listen as David and Dan discuss humble beginnings, 75 years of sales increases, and why Chick-Fil-A remains privately owned.
Tom Brady, quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leads with Performance. Coming to Tampa Bay after winning his last Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2019, Tom was excited to learn how to play football with a new team. He learned that no one wanted to hear him say, ‘here’s how the Patriots did this,’ and so he focused on building trust with his teammates, working together to build a new playbook together. Clear, current communication, or CCC as Tom calls it, is essential to getting 11 players on the same page, and Tom had to do that in the context of COVID-19 distance and separation guidelines. After losing his first game with the Bucs to the New Orleans Saints, Tom realized just how much work lay ahead of him and the team he led on the field. Working hard was only part of the challenge, because activity is not the same as achievement. Performance is all about focusing on the goal and steps to get there.
Representing HR professionals from around the world, Johnny Taylor is President and CEO of SHRM, The Society for Human Resource Management. With a background in law and HR across many different industries — the connective thread for Taylor has always been people. Listen as David and Johnny discuss impacting 115 million people through SHRM, what he learned at Blockbuster, and redefining the reputation of HR.
Jimmy Dunne, one of the founders of Sandler O'Neill + Partners which was acquired by Piper Jaffray in January 2020, leads with true tenacity, anticipation and grit. Nearly decimated by the attacks of September, Jimmy led his firm, Sandler O'Neill, to become the largest independent full-service investment banking firm focused on the financial services sector. Listen as David and Jimmy discuss the emotional impacts of 9/11, transitioning in your career, and opening Seminole Golf Courses to a wider population of players. Check out the Global Game Changers & Lead4Change lessons for teaching the children in your life about the heroes who stepped up to serve after the 9/11 attacks at https://911lesson.org.
When Alberto Carvalho took the job as Superintendent of the country’s fourth largest district, Miami-Dade, he was faced with an impossible challenge. To overcome three levels of bankruptcy for the school district, Carvalho reinvented the school system, eliminating poor performers and focusing on results and data-driven decision making. Listen as David and Alberto discuss this successful turnaround, why he fired nine principals his first week, and being knighted in his home country of Portugal.
Formerly the #1 tennis player in the world, Andy Roddick leads with mental strength, preparation and a sense of humor. Since his retirement from professional tennis in 2012, Roddick has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. As a businessman, Roddick has found success with his non-profit, The Andy Roddick Foundation, and his Tennessee Bourbon brand, Sweetens Cove. Listen as David and Andy discuss rituals, staying grounded and transitioning skills from the tennis court to the boardroom.
Becky Frankiewicz, the President of ManpowerGroup North America, leads with a dauntless drive to find and deliver solutions to significant problems. As a marketing and finance executive in various roles at PepsiCo, Becky took on the challenges of turning around Quaker Oats and creating better snack options for working women. When she was invited to take the helm at ManpowerGroup, which is a human resources company, Becky discovered to her great surprise that her ability to serve customers, do sales, and manage finance and marketing gave her a unique skillset to lead a company that exists to connect workers to jobs. In a world that is getting more automated and run by artificial intelligence, Becky is more confident than ever that this is a great time to be human. All that’s required is for leaders to shift from seeing what people have done and put on their resumes to discerning what they can do to grow their skills moving forward.
Timo Boldt, the Founder and CEO of Gousto, leads with the curiosity to set big goals and learn everything he needs to achieve them. Timo is disrupting the grocery and restaurant categories in the United Kingdom with his subscription meal kit company, which he founded at the ripe old age of 27 years old. Now, Gousto is the largest meal kit company in the United Kingdom, a unicorn company valued at well over a billion dollars with close to 2,000 employees. Gousto delivers fresh ingredients for tasty home-cooked dinners with easy-to-follow recipe cards and perfectly measured ingredients. As an entrepreneur, Timo leads with a focus on constant learning. He is a true innovator and big believer that nothing big happens without getting people on board, so culture is his number-one priority. Check out Timo's leadership podcast, Boldt Flavors, at https://boldtflavours.com. Go to https://takechargeofyou.com/ to pre-order David's new book!
In this special episode of the How Leaders Lead podcast, listeners will learn that all top leaders are incredible “AVID LEARNERS” - people who’ve demonstrated a real commitment to continuous learning throughout their careers. They all learn by DOING. They all ASK a lot of QUESTIONS and LISTEN CLOSELY for real insights. And at some stage of their career, each of them has learned from FAILURE. So subscribe, and we’ll deliver more impactful – and actionable – insights as the year continues!
Today’s guest is Lonnie Ali, the wife of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Lonnie is an incredible leader who has devoted her life to making the world a better place. In 1992, Lonnie incorporated and served as Vice President and treasurer of Greatest of All Time, Inc. or (G.O.A.T). Today she is a lifetime director and vice chair of the Muhammad Ali Center, a non-profit museum and cultural center that she and her husband opened in 2005. Lonnie Ali has been active in various charitable causes including advocating for children’s rights and Parkinson ’s disease research. From 2010 to 2013, Lonnie served on the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. She was the 2010 recipient of AARP’s Inspire Award, was named in 2012 as one of Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women, and inducted into The National Consortium for Academics and Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
With a 20-year history in technology, Former CEO of NASDAQ, Bob Greifeld is a relentless leader in every way imaginable. An English major-turned computer specialist, Bob approached his job interview at NASDAQ in a strategic way, laying out his detailed plan for the ailing stock index. He had studied NASDAQ for years and knew what needed to happen. Bob believes that a person’s gut instincts aren’t merely a sixth sense, but rather the convictions that rise from collecting years of mental data on a given issue. Listen as Bob and David discuss sleeping on big decisions, his first encounter with Jeff Bezos, and his book, Market Mover.
Co-Founder and CEO of Twilio, Jeff Lawson is a serial entrepreneur and technologist with a career including both large companies and a series of start-ups. Jeff leads with knowledge, a visceral connection to the customer’s problem, and the understanding of how to connect executives with software developers. Listen as Jeff and David discuss his time at Amazon working for Jeff Bezos, his view on how to define real customer problems, and why he cleverly returned all of his wedding gifts.
Wendy Clark is CEO of Dentsu International, a 120 year-old multinational media and digital marketing communications company headquartered in London. As the first female CEO of a big six global advertising agency, Clark approaches leadership like a marketer and attributes her success as a leader to this strategy. Listen as David and Wendy discuss bringing your full self to work, maintaining challenger mentality, and how to use underestimation as fuel.
Former CEO of The Gap, Banana Republic and J.Crew, Mickey Drexler has always had a keen instinct for merchandising and a philosophical commitment to following his gut in business. Drexler’s impact on pop culture is astounding as his fingerprint can be found on almost every fashion retail success over the last thirty years. Listen as Mickey and David discuss creative energy, landing on the name “Old Navy”, and designing the first Apple store with Steve Jobs.
Former President and CEO of Franklin-Covey Leadership, Stephen M. R. Covey felt compelled to transition his career from business leadership to thought leadership with his book, The Speed of Trust. Listen as NewYorkTimes and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Stephen and David discuss mission-driven business, feeding your strengths and the influence of his father Stephen Covey. Great leaders gather insights, and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the show at https://howleaderslead.com/survey/
As CEO of Amway, the world’s largest direct selling company, Milind Pant attributes his professional success to cultural sensitivity and leading with love and empathy. With a career full of global roles and travel, Pant swears by daily exercise and meditation to promote a balanced life. Listen as Milind and David discuss social commerce, the gig economy, and how Instagram has surprisingly become one of his most important communication tools.
Cathy Engelbert, the first Commissioner of the WNBA, is no stranger to trailblazing. Formerly an executive with Deloitte for 33 years and eventually their first female CEO, Engelbert was thrilled to return to basketball after her own college career and being raised by a former NBA player. Listen as David and Cathy discuss diversity and inclusion in the WNBA, the challenges facing women’s sports, and the incredible support of the late Kobe Bryant.
John “Spider” Miller leads with Dignity. From humble beginnings in Indiana as one of eleven children, Spider learned how to work hard. His work ethic and commitment took him far in amateur golf as Captain of the US team in the 2015 and 2017 Walker Cup. In this conversation, David gets Spider’s story, insights on running a family business the right way, and an inside look at golfers like the late great Arnold Palmer.
Founder and Executive Chairman of KIND Snacks, Daniel Lubetzky understands that living outside of society’s boundaries and traditional definitions is where kindness and creativity is found. The son of a holocaust survivor and raised in Mexico, Daniel attributes his success in leadership to his father whom he thinks of as an original “servant leader.” Listen as Daniel and David discuss ownership culture, the need to be challenged, and his book, “Do the KIND Thing.”
The Kentucky Derby is this Saturday and in this episode you'll get an on-the-track look at the Derby. You'll ride along with David and Donna as they discuss the first time she got bucked on a horse, being a woman in a male-dominated sport, interviewing the winning jockeys at the Derby, and the failures that set up Donna for her success. Donna Barton Brothers was born into the horse racing world. She grew up around horses as the daughter of a successful female jockey. Donna found success as a jockey winning over 1,100 horse races and then became an award-winning sports analyst and commentator for NBC Sports and currently serves as COO of Starlight Racing.
In Part II of this episode, we’re back with the Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, Fred Ridley. Listen as the Chairman and David discuss the impact of the pandemic on the Masters, putting his team members first, and how to honor the past while pushing towards the future.
Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club since 2017, Fred Ridley is the man behind the Masters. As a lawyer and winner of the American U.S. Amateur Golf Championship, Ridley brings a comprehensive understanding of both the sport’s history and its evolution. Listen to Part I as the Chairman and David discuss rubbing shoulders with Jack Nicklaus, starting the first Augusta National Women’s Tournament, and giving back to the community of Augusta, GA.
Founder and CEO of Hint Water, Kara Goldin found success in journalism at Time and at tech startups in Silicon Valley. Her early ambitions changed after discovering her hectic travel schedule led to an unhealthy lifestyle. In her pursuit of health, she discovered an untapped category in flavored water with simple ingredients. The mother of four children under six at the time, Kara put in the time, research, and money necessary to start bottling Hint Water, knowing that if the venture failed she could fall back on her tech background. Listen as Kara and David discuss fear, John Legend and her new book, Undaunted: Overcoming Doubt and Doubters.
In this episode David sits down with Jesse Cole, Founder and CEO of Fans First Entertainment and Owner of the Savannah Bananas baseball team. Jesse leads with Disruption, turning pain points upside-down into crazy awesome features. As the author of Find Your Yellow Tux: How to Be Successful by Standing Out, Jesse disrupts the concepts of authenticity and individuality with his commitment to wearing a yellow tuxedo everywhere he goes. This, along with all-you-can eat meal tickets and calling every fan to thank them for their support, is just a part of Jesse’s conviction that normal marketing will only yield normal results. They way to thrive is to be different in ways that turn people’s pain points into exciting solutions, which Jesse strives to do every day at Grayson Stadium when his team plays.
David gets the story behind Joey Zwillinger, the Co-Founder of Allbirds, who left a promising career in biotechnology driven by the fear of mediocrity. Joey knew that he would be disappointed in himself if he didn’t build his own company, and if he couldn’t make a significant impact on the problems surrounding climate change. A drive for excellence, balanced with a fear of mediocrity, has pushed Joey to solve perplexing problems like how to make a truly all-natural shoe that is more comfortable than what the big competitors are churning out.
Niren Chaudhary, CEO of Panera Bread, believes that a strong leader defines reality while also creating hope and optimism through delivering a clear vision. By articulating the core mission of Panera, Niren restored the company’s former stronghold as leader in the category. Listen as David and Niren discuss Panera through the pandemic, democratizing coffee, and his connection to Netflix's film, “The Sky is Pink.”
Fifteen-year-old founder and CEO, Mikaila Ulmer has made history with her purpose-driven company, Me & The Bees Lemonade. An entrepreneur since age four, Mikaila collaborates with her parents and mentors to continue to grow the company and its sister nonprofit, Healthy Hive Foundation. Listen as David and Mikaila discuss going viral on Shark Tank, the power of purpose-driven brands, and what it really means to “dream like a kid.”
Marvin Ellison, CEO of Lowe's Home Improvement, has made a career of tackling challenges that no one else would, or could, face. He attributes his success to this approach and to embracing the “best you” you can be. Listen as David and Marvin discuss humble beginnings, his first day as CEO, and why assimilating into corporate culture is the wrong strategy.
Lauren Hobart, the newly appointed CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods, is an incredibly well-rounded leader with over 25 years of finance, consumer and retail experience. As one of only 41 female CEOs leading a Fortune 500 Company, Hobart relishes the ability to champion young women to achieve their full potential. Listen as David and Lauren discuss her success in digital and e-commerce, collaborating with Carrie Underwood, and the importance of communicating a clear vision.
Former Chief of Staff of the Army, Ray Odierno is a retired four-star general of the United States Army and current chairman of USA Football. With a background in team sports, General Odierno utilized team dynamics in his leadership style as Commanding General. Listen as David and General Ray discuss diversity and inclusion in the Army, providing options for the commander in chief, and how to avoid toxic leadership.
Kevin Johnson, CEO of Starbucks, has brought the power of vulnerability to his role. After succeeding Starbucks’ founder and CEO Howard Schultz in 2017, Johnson believes strongly in preserving the legacy of the brand while embracing the innovation necessary to push the company into the future. Listen as David and Kevin discuss distributed leadership, people over profit, and how he learned transcendental meditation through Ringo Starr.
Madeline Bell, President and CEO of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), has redefined her title during the global pandemic from CEO to CRO, or “Chief Reassurance Officer”. From bedside to the boardroom, Madeline started her career right out of college as a nurse at the very same organization she now runs. Listen as David and Madeline discuss the progress of the COVID-19 vaccine, believing in yourself first and how to “keep calm, and carry on” amidst a global crisis.
Lindsey Johnson and her co-founder Liz Eicholz were close friends before starting their groundbreaking luxury “bathleisure” brand, Weezie. With a background in finance, Johnson was a natural fit for CEO while her partner excels in creative direction and brand building. Listen as Lindsey and David discuss first-time foundership, what sets Weezie products apart, and how to carve out your own unique success story.
Head coach of the University of Kentucky NCAA men’s basketball team, John Calipari’s approach to leadership (and coaching) is direct and fearless. Affectionately known as “Coach Cap,” he has been named Naismith College Coach of the Year three times, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Listen as David and John discuss communication and trust, eating KFC with Warren Buffet, and how to build a successful team year after year.
Jack Nicklaus, nicknamed the Golden Bear, has dominated the game of golf. Known around the world as one of the best players of all time, Nicklaus won 117 professional tournaments over his 44-year career. Listen as David and Jack talk about the important lessons he learned from his father, the great advice he gave Rory McIlroy, the importance of family and many other incredible stories of leaders he admires including previous presidents and other successful athletes.
A firm believer in the power and rarity of independent thinking, Dave Cote, former Honeywell CEO and current Executive Chairman of Vertiv Holdings, released his first book this year, “Winning Now, Winning Later.” The book, released in June, expresses his knack for individualist thinking by analyzing and challenging the current, accepted trends in leadership. Listen as Dave and David discuss leading amid a pandemic, his tenure at Honeywell, and his goals for the future.
As a lawyer working in mergers and acquisitions for Home Depot, Frank Blake was shocked to be offered the job of CEO in 2007. For the next eight years, he experienced a crash course in leadership at the highest level. Taking cues from his son (a store manager at the time) and “Built From Scratch”, the story of Home Depot, Frank employed the “inverted pyramid” approach to his new role. Listen as David and Frank discuss the power of handwritten notes, avoiding the CEO “bubble”, and why he decided Home Depot should stop opening new stores.
Steve Burke, Chairman of NBCUniversal for the last nine years, landed his dream job. Ignoring his family and mentors’ advice, he followed his intuition to NBCUniversal after working next door to his father’s old office at Capital Cities/ABC. Listen as David and Steve discuss running Euro Disney, what he’s learned from Warren Buffett, and teaching people to think like owners instead of renters.
Founder and CEO of 822 Group, Mory Fontanez is a purpose coach whose mission is to cultivate mindful, EQ-driven leadership in a capitalistic culture. She guides other leaders and CEOs to identify and then employ their intuition, helping them establish authentic values and an actionable mission for their organizations. Listen as David and Mory discuss the everchanging consumer zeitgeist, harnessing chaos, and the role that love can play in corporate America.
After more than thirty years with PwC, Tim Ryan was elected Chair and Senior Partner by his peers in the spring of 2016 for his aggressive growth plan and long history with the company. But when a racially charged shooting took place that summer, listening to his employees’ rousing response motivated Tim to drastically shift his plans. Against the advice of many, Tim immediately pivoted his focus to address racial injustice both at PwC and in society at large. Listen as David and Tim discuss his toughest client experience, the Oscars mixup, and why he wrote a letter to his partners in 2040.
In part two of this interview, Jamie Dimon talks with David about growing up in Queens, the Bear Stearns acquisition, the future of the American dream and what prioritization looks like when you’re leading the world’s largest financial institution.
Jamie Dimon has served as the Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, the largest of the big four American banks, since 2005. Born into a family of stock brokers, Jamie has led through the 2008 financial crisis, a massive emergency heart surgery, and now a global health pandemic — What’s his secret to success? Anticipating every possible outcome, reading constantly and continuing to learn from those around him. Listen as David and Jamie discuss the global economy, battling cancer, and the future of America.
Former Captain of the New York Rangers and NHL legend, Mark Messier attributes his success to building close relationships with his teammates outside of the game. One of the greatest ice hockey players of all time, Messier started his professional career with the Edmonton Oilers alongside his friend and fellow hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky. He is a six-time Stanley Cup champion — and the only player to ever captain two teams to Stanley Cup Championships. His playoff leadership while in New York ended a 54-year Stanley Cup drought in 1994, earning him the nickname "The Messiah.”
Listen as David and Mark talk about his transition from the Oilers to the Rangers, what it felt like to lose Gretzky as a teammate, and how to galvanize individuals to maximize team performance.
Larry Merlo, CEO of CVS Health, started his career as an impassioned pharmacist with no aspirations for the C-suite. Through his passion for pharmacy and level-headed vision, he has led CVS Health to incredible success through streamlining their mission statement, balancing the roles of teacher and student and never losing sight of the consumer and their health— including the historic decision to eliminate the sale of tobacco products. Listen as David and Larry discuss Covid-19 testing, Arnold Palmer, the opioid crisis and healthcare innovation.
David is back with Tom Brady for a deeper dive into what makes him such a compelling leader. This extended interview offers a glimpse into Tom’s early life, why he chose football over baseball, how to display confidence when you don’t feel it, and more.
Six-time Super Bowl Champion, Tom Brady opens up about the “second quarter” of his career as he transitions from a 20-year run with the New England Patriots to a fresh start leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady describes his personal leadership style as “caring,” and places emphasis on listening and learning, diligently preparing every day, and the gratification that comes with helping those around him achieve success. Many of us have seen Tom Brady in action — but what we see on the field is only the tip of the iceberg for this incredibly passionate, hardworking and humble leader. Listen as Tom and David catch up to discuss performing in the clutch, social injustice in the NFL and the importance of daily dedication to your craft.
Check out our October 28, 2021 interview where Ashley Novak Butler interviews Indra and her Dad about the future of work, family, and life. Listen here on Apple: https://apple.co/3jHhPnm. Listen here on our website: https://howleaderslead.com In this episode, David talks with Former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, about her path from childhood in India to leading PepsiCo’s transformation to deliver healthier products with greater purpose. Indra tells how she saw dark clouds on the horizon of PepsiCo’s future when she was established as CEO, and how she carried out her plan to change the product portfolio to reflect the changing consumer, despite strong pushback. Now enjoying retirement, Indra shares her perspective of how COVID is exposing the need for radical societal change to address inequalities. She also talks about the work she is doing on a memoir about how she balances career, marriage, and family.
How does the creator of one of the world’s most well known beauty brands, pivot to the wellness category and find her footing in a place where authenticity, realness and reality are key? David gets the story behind Bobbi Brown, the brand and the woman who turned her lipstick-making hobby into a billion dollar brand, only to sell it in search of a new challenge – the wellness market. He gets to the story behind the story, where from an early age, Bobbi watched her grandfather in his business, building up security and comfort to be “Just Bobbi.”
Always working to make things better, Bobbi left Estée Lauder after 22 years to try her hand at wellness products. This gave her the freedom to solve problems in unexpected ways and lead a creative team who is not content with the norm. Her lack of fear and excitement to jump into new opportunities with a risk of failure, keeps Bobbi from feeling like she missed a moment. Her desire to create something more authentic has driven her through her career. Whether it be more natural toned lipsticks and makeup that bring out the innate beauty in women, or finding that natural product that brings out the best in someone - has naturally guided her devotion to raising up other women, creating role models and to pursue wellness and success in life.
David talks with the CEO of Mastercard about his work to make fairness as important a trait of leadership as empathy. David gets Ajay’s story about growing up in India and learning to create plans B and C for every situation. Ajay shares his vision for creating financial inclusivity that empowers low-income people to access the funds and credit they need to thrive without depending on corrupt government support. Ajay also explains how diversity is closely linked to innovation, and how the responsibility of leaders is not to create unbalanced privilege for a few, but to level the playing field for all and recognize success from wherever it comes.
Hear how Beyond Meat Founder and CEO Ethan Brown pushes his people with intense loyalty to drive success all while delighting his customers with better protein options that don’t change why people enjoy meat.
In this episode, David talks with the CEO of the PGA of America to find out how Seth is leading in light of COVID-19 externally, and improving communication internally. When he left finance on Wall Street and joined the PGA of America, Seth discovered a disconnect between headquarters and the Professional instructors that required him to reshape the culture to have better communication and trust, where no bad attitudes would be allowed to poison the atmosphere. Seth is also working to make the PGA more diverse from headquarters to the golf course.
Tony Xu leads by breaking problems down to the lowest level of detail - almost to the point of applied mathematics. That’s why he worked every step of delivery for the first year and a half that DoorDash existed as a company. Tony is committed to hiring and training employees that have a strong ownership mentality and bias towards action that spurs them to get 1% better every day. Using high-powered data and logistics, Tony wants to help small business owners serve more customers—even during the COVID-19 economic slump. Such a big task requires Tony, and his people, to break problems into smaller pieces, so that by understanding the twenty steps that go into delivery and the many steps required to helping small businesses survive and thrive, they can make good things happen for restaurants, dashers, and consumers.
In this episode, David gets the story behind Evan Spiegel’s creation of SnapChat, and how Evan went from riding a wave of celebrity after SnapChat went public to climbing out of the hole when his app redesign soured the stocks. Evan recognizes that his role as CEO is to create a place where creative people feel comfortable with themselves and their teammates in order to take the risks required to make great innovations happen. That is why he works hard to establish a culture of Kind, Smart, and Creative for himself and his team. Evan shares how he has matured as a leader, embracing accountability from his board, team, and customers, and how he learned to say “no” in order to focus on what matters most. David also gets Evan’s perspective on the COVID crisis and the push for racial justice in America, and how both events should change how decision-makers invest in America’s future. Evan Spiegel loves what he does, and he wants the people who work at Snap to love what they do and be comfortable with who they are. By making kindness one of Snap’s core values, Evan is building a culture where employees are able to be the most creative and innovative designers in social media technology. As a young CEO, Evan has faced many ups and downs—from getting several big-dollar offers to buy him out after going public to facing severe criticism when he redesigned SnapChat. Along the way, Evan has embraced accountability and listened carefully in order to bring the community with him towards exciting innovations in communication.
Larry and David talk less about Larry’s career as a football player and more about Larry’s leadership in the community during divisive times, his philanthropic efforts, what leadership looks like on the field (people follow those who work the hardest, regardless of their position), and how sports bring diverse people together and breaks down walls. David opens by getting Larry’s origin story about going from the son of a sportscaster in Minnesota to being the youngest player in the NFL as a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. David then gets Larry’s stories and insights from the world of pro football, along with his life advice for young leaders about learning, handling criticism, and what sports can teach a divided nation about unity. David then asks Larry about his experience in the world of business and how he has adapted to that world. After the Lightning Round, David asks Larry a series of questions about his work in the community and his family. Larry Fitzgerald works hard. He isn’t concerned about having a title people respect. Instead, Larry wins people over by setting an example worth following, and by investing in the people around him on a personal level. By being the best player and business person he can be in practice, Larry knows he will be ready to perform at the big game on Sunday. Even at the game, Larry sets an example by making precise plays instead of relying on raw athleticism.
Kendra and David talk about entrepreneurship and what it took for Kendra to turn a pain point she experienced as a consumer buying jewelry into a successful business devoted to surprising and delighting customers while empowering employees. They also talk about how Kendra has pivoted her company in light of COVID-19 to not just survive, but create ways to be even more effective and engaged with their customers. David and Kendra talk about how her mom’s work for Mary Kay inspired her own style of entrepreneurship and ways to lead others. They talk about her journey from starting a hat boutique at the age of 19 to running a multi-billion jewelry business far from the elite coasts in Texas, and how hearing so many people tell her “no” spurred her on to find success. David also gets Kendra’s perspective on creating a work culture that is kind, quick to pivot and get creative, and empowers front-line associates to make decisions that best serve the customers. Kendra is making a difference in the world of jewelry by turning the pain point of entering a stuffy jewelry store less scary and more relational by focusing on customer connections rather than transactions.