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How Leaders Lead with David Novak: Daily Summaries Delivered
by David Novak
How Leaders Lead gives you a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the world’s most iconic leaders across business, sports, and entertainment. Hosted by David Novak, Co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, this podcast pulls back the curtain on how top CEOs, founders, and game-changers make things happen. When you tune in, you’ll learn from legends like Tom Brady, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Dimon, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Indra Nooyi, Stanley Druckenmiller, and more. Other guests include: CEO of Starbucks CEO of Target Co-founder of Home Depot and many others... David’s unique perspective and thought-provoking questions distill the wisdom of these leaders into actionable insights you can use to elevate your own leadership game. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or already leading teams, this show helps you build the confidence you need to lead well.
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- 1 weeks ago1h 9m
#311: Mark Pincus, Founder & Former CEO, Zynga – Trust your instincts, but vet your ideas
Back in 2007, Mark Pincus had a gut feeling that adults would play games on their phones if they were just woven into their daily lives. On that instinct, he founded Zynga and built the biggest games of the early social internet — including FarmVille, Words With Friends, and Zynga Poker. Four years later, they had over a billion users. Safe to say, Mark’s instincts were right. But according to Mark, that’s where a lot of leaders lose the plot. They have the right instincts but then put the wrong ideas around those instincts. They try to change too much. They don’t iterate quickly. Or worst of all, their culture doesn’t let people be intellectually honest about what’s not working. In this conversation, you’ll see how to avoid those mistakes with Mark’s “Proven-Better-New” framework for designing products. Plus, he opens up about his (very public) fall from Silicon Valley’s graces and the surprising freedom that came with it. It’s a must-listen conversation for anyone who’s building something – whether that’s a company, a product, or a team. This episode is for you if: You want to develop products people love You want to have more fun at work (or hey, just in general) You’re trying to build a culture that’s intellectually honest You’re navigating a low point in your career or company Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
- 2 weeks ago56 min
#310: Demond Martin, Cofounder and CEO, WellWithAll – Recognize how others shape you
A lot of leaders brag that they’re “self made.” Demond Martin says he’s “community built.” He recognizes all the people who helped him move out of a violent environment as a preteen and go on to work at the White House, graduate from Harvard Business School, and become a successful hedge fund manager. Now, as the Cofounder and CEO of the wellness brand WellWithAll, he’s trying to do the same for others – putting a portion of profits toward ending health inequity. In this conversation, you’ll get an inspiring look at Demond’s philosophy of being a “friend of the good” – someone who sees the humanity in other people and builds relationships on respect, not transactions. When you learn how to surround yourself with those people (while striving to be one yourself!), you’ll find a whole new level of meaning and purpose in leadership. This episode is for you if: You’re wondering if you can scale a business while keeping people at the center You want to either find a mentor – or become one You want to develop more ways to give back through your business You could use a big jolt of inspiration Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
- 3 weeks ago1h 7m
#309: Ben Zobrist, 2x World Series Champion – Prepare for pressure
Game 7 of the 2016 World Series had gone to extra innings. The Cubs were trying to break a 108-year championship drought that some called a curse. If you’re a baseball fan, you already know what happened next: With two runners on base, Ben Zobrist stepped up to the plate. Despite being 0-4 in the game so far, he pinged a double to left field that brought in the winning run and made him a Chicago legend. So yeah, Ben Zobrist knows about pressure. And you do, too: pressure is a part of every leader’s reality. How you understand it, prepare for it, and handle it in the moment can make or break your career – not to mention your overall sense of well-being. This conversation is a candid look at how to navigate all the pressure you face – from success, from failure, from life in general – plus the habits and routines that keep you ready and regulated when you’re feeling it. This episode is for you if: You struggle to deal with pressure, especially after a big success You’re trying to find better self-care habits and routines You want to get better at understanding and managing your emotions You’re a coach or parent of a child athlete You just love all things baseball Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
- 4 weeks ago51 min
#308: Zac Taylor, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals – Consistency creates results
Imagine being Zac Taylor in 2019. He was 0-11 in his first season as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He knew they were doing a lot of things right, but the results just weren’t coming. Eventually, they did: just over two years later, Zac led his team to the Super Bowl. But for a while, there was a big, painful gap. And you may be in a similar place right now – where you believe you’re on the right track, but the results aren’t showing up yet. In this conversation, you’ll see what great leadership looks like in those seasons when you’re building, grinding, and learning – but not necessarily seeing results. It’s a powerful reminder of the power of consistency … and a fun way to get ready for another exciting year of NFL football! This episode is for you if: You’re in a season where progress feels invisible You need solid advice on managing elite talent You’re trying to connect more meaningfully with your team You want to know what weirdly simple habit Zac attributes his success toTake your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
- Sep 3, 20261h 15m
#307: Clark Lea, Head Football Coach, Vanderbilt – Belief is a practice
We’ve all got big goals and dreams, both for ourselves and our people. But often, there’s a gap between what we say we want and what we’re actually willing to do to get it. Vanderbilt head football coach Clark Lea is obsessed with closing that gap. For him, the ultimate measure of your beliefs isn’t how you feel or what you say. It’s the actions you take. And that alignment is at the heart of the incredible turnaround he’s leading. Under his leadership, Vanderbilt’s football program has gone from being the punching bags of the SEC to one of the NCAA’s most exciting teams, notching their first 10-win season in 2025. This conversation gives you an inside look at what’s driving their success … and an inspiring reminder that your true beliefs show up in what you practice, not what you preach. This episode is for you if: You feel disconnected from your goals or your core values You want to disrupt a culture that’s gotten used to losing You’re feeling discouraged after a setback You just love all things college football Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
- Aug 27, 20261h 4m
#306: Tony Spring, Chairman & CEO, Macy’s, Inc. – Hit the ground listening
Everyone says to “hit the ground running.” Tony Spring thinks that’s terrible advice. Tony is the Chairman and CEO of Macy’s, Inc. an iconic retail institution with over 150 years of history. He took charge in 2024 after a 35-year career moving through the ranks at sister company Bloomingdale’s. But despite knowing the organization well, he didn’t come right out with a shiny reinvention strategy. Instead, he hit the ground listening – to customers, colleagues, data, and the culture at large. For Tony, listening isn’t passive. It’s something you do with your whole heart and mind. And it’s the foundation of any big change, including a turnaround. If you want to see how he does it (with plenty of memorable stories and metaphors along the way!) don’t miss this episode. This episode is for you if: You work in the retail or hospitality industry You’re leading a big change or turnaround You want to be more intentional in meetings You’re not sure whether to kill an initiative or keep developing it Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
- Aug 20, 20261h 8m
#305: Harry Arnett, Cofounder & CEO, MUNICIPAL – Bet on yourself
As a leader, you take chances all the time. On big ideas. On new hires. On financial investments. But when was the last time you bet on yourself? That’s what Harry Arnett did when he co-founded the golf sportswear brand MUNICIPAL along with Mark Wahlberg. After years of success running marketing at Callaway, Harry realized it was time to find a new challenge – something that would help him grow into the person he knew he could be. In this candid conversation, Harry breaks down what it really means to bet on yourself: the fear, the risk, and ultimately, what it takes to choose growth over comfort. This is episode is for you if you: Have ever thought about leaving a comfortable job to start something new Want to know the trick to good marketing (hint: it doesn’t involve marketing) Are asking big questions about work, life, and integration Don’t want your functional expertise to limit your next career move Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
- Aug 13, 20261h 10m
#304: Ron Johnson, Creator of the Apple Store – A great customer experience is an act of love
You’ve probably been inside an Apple Store. And if you have, you know: it’s a totally different kind of retail experience. That’s because of Ron Johnson. He was Steve Job’s handpicked hire to launch the Apple Store, after Steve saw how Ron revitalized Target with an emphasis on design. He and Steve Jobs worked closely to launch what has to be one of the greatest retail experiences ever built. In this episode, you’ll see exactly how they did it – and how it all stemmed from Ron’s belief that you should love your customers. He also talks (with refreshing vulnerability!) about what he learned from his failed turnaround attempt at JCPenney. This episode is for you if: You need to improve the customer experience at your company You’re trying to get buy-in on a big idea You want to build more excellence into your culture You admire Steve Jobs and the Apple brand Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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About How Leaders Lead with David Novak
How Leaders Lead gives you a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the world’s most iconic leaders across business, sports, and entertainment. Hosted by David Novak, Co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, this podcast pulls back the curtain on how top CEOs, founders, and game-changers make things happen. When you tune in, you’ll learn from legends like Tom Brady, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Dimon, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Indra Nooyi, Stanley Druckenmiller, and more. Other guests include: CEO of Starbucks CEO of Target Co-founder of Home Depot and many others... David’s unique perspective and thought-provoking questions distill the wisdom of these leaders into actionable insights you can use to elevate your own leadership game. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or already leading teams, this show helps you build the confidence you need to lead well.
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