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. 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.
Episodes
#298: Joe Manchin, Former Governor and Senator, West Virginia – How to find common ground
Happy 250th birthday to the United States of America! It’s a great moment to reflect on everything that makes this country so special. And maybe have a hot dog or two.
But this milestone also comes at a moment where our country feels more divided than ever. So today, David sits down with Joe Manchin, the former Governor and Senator of West Virginia. His independent political stance gave him a uni
#297: Dave Ritterbush, CEO, Califia Farms – Build for what’s next
Dave Ritterbush has helped lead some of the most successful consumer brands in America, including Califia Farms, Dreyer’s, and Quest, which sold for a billion dollars in 2019.
And he’s learned something that most leaders never figure out: you have to build your current systems for what’s next. Make sure you have the right infrastructure, processes, and organizational capabilities before you need
#296: Landon Donovan, US Soccer Legend – Separate who you are from what you do
The World Cup is in full swing, and if you’re watching, you know – the intensity and stakes are unlike anything else in sports.
So it’s the perfect time to sit down with Landon Donovan, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all time.
But after a disappointing performance in the 2006 World Cup, he nearly walked away from the sport entirely.
That crisis taught
#295: Shawn Johnson & Andrew East, Olympic Gold Medalist, Former NFL Pro – Experiment and learn by doing
Shawn Johnson won America’s hearts as a gold medal gymnast at the 2008 Olympics. And her husband, Andrew East, is a former NFL player.But after their athletic careers, they stepped into the world of content creation – and quickly realized they had no idea what they were doing.
They dove in headfirst, experimenting and learning as they went – with plenty of missteps along the way. But it worked: t
#294: Bobby Long, Partner and Co-Founder, Piedmont Capital Partners – See the best in people
As the Partner and Co-Founder of Piedmont Capital Partners, Bobby Long invests in big problems that need big solutions – stuff like Alzheimer’s research and lithium ion technology.
But he does it all in the most relational way: listening with humility, doing deals on a handshake, and looking for ways to truly serve everyone he meets, regardless of their status.
In this episode you're going to fi
#293: David Lafitte – CEO, Tecovas – Serve others with radical hospitality
If you lead a business, you know providing great service is vital.
But what does that actually mean?
For David Lafitte, CEO of the popular Western retailer Tecovas, it means radical hospitality. Stuff like offering shoppers free drinks, personalization, and a space to linger. Treating everyone who walks through the doors like a high-value customer. Encouraging staff to create relationships, not
#292: Kecia Steelman, CEO, Ulta Beauty – Progress over perfection
Today, she is the CEO of Ulta Beauty, leading over 1500 stores worldwide, striking partnerships with Chanel and Beyonce, and creating record growth since she took over in early 2025.
That kind of career momentum doesn’t happen by accident. And in this conversation, you’ll see the “progress over perfection” mentality that’s helped Kecia do it – all while building a strong team culture that’s lase
#291: Mark Smucker, Chair and CEO, The J.M. Smucker Company – Understand the soul of your brand
What’s the soul of your brand? And why might it be the secret to unlocking a new chapter of growth for your company?
Today, David sits down with Mark Smucker. He’s the CEO and Chair of The J.M. Smucker Company, which is home to iconic brands like Smucker’s, Folgers, Uncrustables, Hostess, and Milk Bone.
And he’s obsessed with understanding the soul of a brand. By knowing what his brands truly st
#290: Mariam Naficy, Founder and Chairman, Minted – See the possibilities in people
Minted Founder Mariam Naficy was ready to shut it all down. She’d spent nearly all the capital from her angel round, but nothing was selling.
Then, she experimented with crowdsourcing stationery and card designs from independent artists, and everything changed.
Sales exploded. And 18 years later, Minted is in 75 million homes worldwide, empowering tens of thousands of independent artists and de
#289: Kurt Kane, CEO, TruGreen – Fall in love with customer retention
You’re hustling to land new customers … but what if the ones you already have are quietly slipping away?
Kurt Kane saw this problem on day one as CEO of TruGreen. And after years of driving transactional growth as CMO of Wendy’s, he saw the opportunity to grow TruGreen by leaning into long-term customer satisfaction and retention. Now, he’s revitalizing the brand and getting his team engaged in t
#288: James “JC” Curleigh, CEO, Pelican Products – How to reframe what you sell
Most leaders think they’re in the business of selling their product. JC Curleigh thinks that’s exactly what limits your growth.
And as CEO of Pelican, he’s helping the company make a profound shift: they’re not in the protective case business, they’re in the protection business.
JC understands that great brands sell more than products, and he knows how to position them the right way. In fact, it
#287: Julie Hansen, CEO, Babbel – Don’t fear change
Most leaders say they’re comfortable with change.
But what happens when the change is so big, it threatens your entire business model?
Julie Hansen is no stranger to disruption, having spent her career in online media. Now, as CEO of the language learning app Babbel, she’s facing the biggest one yet. AI is changing the way we learn languages — and raising questions about whether we’ll need to at
#286: John Donahoe, Former CEO of Nike, Director of Athletics at Stanford – Create strategy from the outside in
Most organizations look inward when they build strategy. How did we do last year? Can we do 10% better this year?
But that internal focus makes you miss the big changes happening in your market.
When it comes to disruptive change, John Donahoe has seen it all — as the CEO of Nike, eBay, and ServiceNow. Today, he’s navigating the seismic changes in college sports as Athletic Director at Stanford
#285: Ted Scott, Caddie for Scottie Scheffler, PGA Tour – Great questions demand great answers
In his 29 years as a PGA Tour caddie, Ted Scott has won four Masters and an Olympic gold – not by having all the answers, but by asking the right questions at the right time.
It’s how Ted guides the #1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, without getting in the way of his greatness. It’s his go-to strategy for getting better at anything. And it’s why he’s considered by many to be one of the b
#284: Shea Ralph, Head Coach of Women’s Basketball, Vanderbilt – Ground your team in values, not results
Five years ago, Shea Ralph walked in as head coach of Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team and inherited a broken program. There wasn’t much trust or talent left.
But now, Vandy is flying as a #2 seed in this year’s NCAA tournament, and Shea has just been named National Coach of the Year.
Go behind the scenes of their turnaround, and see how Shea’s unique story and perspective helped drive it –
#283: Roy Williams, Former Men’s Basketball Head Coach, North Carolina – Get better every single day
Roy Williams is without a doubt one of the best college basketball coaches of all time. As the men’s head basketball coach at two storied programs – Kansas and UNC – he won three national championships and made nine Final Four appearances.
And through every moment, Roy had one standard: don’t step off the court until you’ve gotten better. That applied to his players, his staff, and himself.
Most
#282: Peter Wharton-Hood, CEO, LIFE Healthcare Group – Pick team players over individual performers
Peter Wharton-Hood became CEO of LIFE Healthcare in August 2020 – right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic – with no healthcare experience.
He was an accomplished banking executive, but he had zero context for what it takes to run a hospital. And it was his job to lead 16,000 healthcare workers through a generational crisis.
But Peter stepped into the role with a team-first philosophy that’s
#281: Tom Wilson, Chair, President and CEO, Allstate – Be brutal with your time
“You have to be brutal with your time.”
As the Chair, President and CEO of Allstate, Tom Wilson knows that time is the one resource you can’t get more of. And he is the master of every hour on his calendar.
But Tom’s discipline with time isn’t about shutting people out. It’s about being present for what matters – and knowing exactly what that is.
In this episode, Tom shares how to be ruthlessly
#280: Blake Mycoskie, Founder, TOMS Shoes and ENOUGH – Stay connected to your why
Content Warning: This episode includes a candid conversation about depression and suicide.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. You’re not alone.
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Blake Mycoskie built TOMS into a $700 million business with a simple idea: sell a pair of shoes, give a pair away to a child in need.
#279: Eric Kutcher, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company – AI is about growth, not just productivity
“This is a once-in-a-generation technology transition.”
That’s how Eric Kutcher, Senior Partner and North America Chair at McKinsey & Company describes the AI moment we’re living through. And he should know: he’s spent 28 years coaching the world’s top companies through massive change.
In this episode, Eric breaks down the AI revolution in practical terms, dives deep into what truly makes a team
#278: Hanneke Faber, CEO, Logitech – Co-create with your team
How do you get 7,000 people aligned on a new strategy? Ask Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber, who pulled it off in just 24 hours.
The former Dutch national diving champion (yes, really) knows that the best strategies aren’t handed down from above. They’re co-created with the people who’ll bring them to life. And at Logitech, the results speak for themselves: eight consecutive quarters of growth and reco
#277: Jimmy Roberts, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, NBC & Golf Channel – Curiosity builds connection
The 2026 Winter Olympics kick off tomorrow! And who better to get you in the spirit than the guy who has brought Olympic stories to life for more than four decades!
Jimmy Roberts is a 13-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster for NBC and the Golf Channel, and he’s the voice behind some of the most unforgettable human moments in Olympic history.
In this episode, Jimmy shares how curiosity fuels conn
#276: Jason Garrett, 3x Super Bowl Champion and Former NFL Head Coach – You can lead from anywhere on the team
You don’t win three Super Bowls without knowing how to be a great teammate.
Jason Garrett spent years as an NFL quarterback, then served as Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys. And through it all, he’s learned that strong teams need shared commitment from everyone, not just the leader.
In this episode, he shares how strong teams are forged – and it’s often not what you’d expect. If you want to buil
#275: Ania Smith, CEO, Taskrabbit – Take risks that teach you something
When Ania moved to the US from Poland at the tender age of 12, she didn’t speak a word of English.
Today, she’s the CEO of Taskrabbit, after building her leadership chops at Walmart, Uber, and Airbnb.
You don’t get that kind of career trajectory by playing it safe.
In this episode, Ania shares how taking bold risks has helped her succeed, and why she’s building a culture where people are encour
#274: Chuck Robbins, Chairman & CEO, Cisco – Adapt your leadership style
Great leaders don’t cling to one leadership style.
They adapt as people and situations change. And they figure out how to do it without losing what makes them real.
Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins shares how he’s learned to lead through major transformation with honesty, vulnerability, and a clear understanding of what his people – all 90,000 of them – need from him.
If you're navigating change (or jus
#273: Tony Capuano, President & CEO, Marriott International – Success is never final
How do you keep your team motivated, even when things are going well?
Just ask Marriott President and CEO Tony Capuano. As the guy in charge of the world’s largest hospitality company (10,000 hotels in 143 countries!), he knows a thing or two about success.
But he’s also keenly aware that success is never final. And it’s up to leaders to set the pace and keep raising the bar. So if you want to
#272: 5 ideas to lead with more clarity in 2026
Happy New Year! We’re ringing in 2026 with a special episode to help you lead with more intention and focus this year.
And this time, Koula puts David in the hot seat! He shares the five simple practices he returns to every year to build momentum (without burning out by February). One is simple enough to fit on an index card.If you want to make 2026 the year you focus on the right things (not jus
#271: Childhood moments that shaped the world’s top leaders
In this special holiday episode, David and Koula revisit one of our favorite questions around here:
What’s a story from your childhood that shaped the kind of leader you are today?
You’ll hear funny, insightful stories from past guests like Jamie Dimon (CEO of JPMorgan Chase), Lynsi Snyder (Owner of In-N-Out), Andy Jassy (CEO Amazon), and many more top leaders.
As you slow down for the holiday
#270: Allison Ellsworth, Founder & Lead Creative, poppi – Build your brand
Go behind the scenes of one of today’s hottest brands with Allison Ellsworth, founder and Lead Creative at poppi.
After a memorable Shark Tank appearance, poppi exploded into the cultural zeitgeist – going viral on TikTok, getting shout-outs from celebrities, and scaling from startup to $500 million in just four years.
In this episode, Allison shares how to build a brand that moves fast, disrupt
#269: Damola Adamolekun, CEO, Red Lobster – Show the path to success
Can Red Lobster pull off the greatest comeback in restaurant history? After filing for bankruptcy, shedding value, and losing relevance, it won’t be easy.
But it’s the kind of challenge that Damola Adamolekun thrives in. After returning P.F. Chang’s to profitability, he is now making waves as Red Lobster’s youngest-ever CEO.
In this episode, he shares what it’s like to lead at a young age, the s
#268: Gregg Renfrew, Founder and CEO of Counter – Step back to move forward
Imagine this: you build a company from scratch, sell it at a billion-dollar valuation, get ousted, and watch it crumble under new leadership…
Then you buy it back, shut it down, rebrand it, relaunch it – and grow it all over again.
That’s exactly what Gregg Renfrew, the Founder and CEO of clean beauty brand Counter (formerly Beautycounter) has done.
In this episode, she opens up about the emoti
#267: Michael Meldman, Founder and Chairman of Discovery Land Company – Be one of one in your category
How do you make your brand stand out?
Ask Michael Meldman. He’s the founder of Discovery Land Company, a global portfolio of high-end private golf communities known for doing things differently. By tossing out the traditional country club rulebook and building around comfort and community, he’s created a truly distinctive brand.
He’s also a co-founder of Casamigos Tequila, the billion-dollar b
#266: Richard Fain, Former CEO of Royal Caribbean Group – Push past comfortable
Today’s cruise ships are floating cities – complete with waterslides, sushi bars, and even roller skating rinks.
But it wasn’t always that way. Today, we’re joined by the leader who helped pioneer the megaship era and transform Royal Caribbean into a global vacation powerhouse.
Richard Fain served as CEO for 33 years, building a culture where big ideas could thrive and the whole team was willin
#265: Jim McCann, American entrepreneur and former CEO of 1-800-Flowers – Find a way to connect
Jim McCann didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur. He was a social worker and bartender before finding his way into the floral business. But no matter what he did, he always found a way to connect with people.
That instinct eventually led him to build 1-800-Flowers, where he expanded the business strategically, turned it into a household brand, and tapped into the power of customer relationship
#264: Bracken Darrell, CEO of VF Corporation – Good design can make anything better
Bracken Darrell led remarkable turnarounds at both Old Spice and Logitech. Now he’s the CEO of VF Corporation, where he’s working to revitalize iconic brands like The North Face, Timberland, Vans, and more.
Hit play on this episode and take a look at his playbook. It’s all about constantly growing and designing things to be better – whether it’s a product, a team, or his own understanding of quan
#263: Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder and CEO of Bumble – Your mission is your mobilizer
She flipped the script on modern dating and built a billion dollar global brand.
But Whitney Wolfe Herd’s path to success hasn’t been easy. After co-founding Tinder and walking away under difficult circumstances, she founded Bumble, a dating platform where women make the first move.
In this refreshingly honest conversation, she opens up about her missteps and lessons, how she’s redefined success
#262: Lew Frankfort, Chairman Emeritus and former CEO of Coach – Combine magic and logic
He built Coach from a small leather goods brand into a $5 billion global fashion powerhouse.
But Lew Frankfort’s rise to the top isn’t what you’d expect.
He started out in public service and even got passed over for a promotion for being “too principled.” But when he came to Coach, he brought relentless drive, strong investigative instincts, and a unique leadership philosophy he calls “Magic +
#261: Nathan Smith, Walker Cup Captain – Know what your people need to excel
He’s one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in the game – a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion and four-time Masters competitor. Just last month, he captained the 2025 Walker Cup team to victory over Great Britain and Ireland.
Nathan Smith knows how to get the most out of himself and his team, especially when the pressure is on and the stakes are high.
In this episode, he shares the lead
#260: Nick Green, Cofounder and CEO of Thrive Market – The business model matters
At age 25, he walked away from a successful seven-figure business, and took a big swing on a risky idea.
Thrive Market Cofounder and CEO Nick Green knew he wanted to make healthy food more accessible. But at a time when everyone was chasing speed and scale, he made a big bet on the membership model. 1.7 million members later, it’s safe to say it worked.
In this episode, he shares:
His ea
#259: Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Founder and CEO of Olive & June – Work on yourself
As a kid, she had to hide her favorite red nail polish from her parents. Today, she’s the founder and CEO of Olive & June, a $100 million nail polish brand.
But in between, Sarah Gibson Tuttle had to navigate a career she wasn’t really passionate about … and find the courage to chase a big idea.
In this episode, she shares:
The untold stories behind the brand’s rise
How she turn
3 More Questions (Paul Brown) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How should leaders apply the concept, "sell what you sell", into their marketing strategy?
How can leaders maintain brand consistency while being flexible on the product offerings in different markets?
How can leaders running multiple teams and business units find the right balance between alignment and autonomy
#258: Paul Brown, Cofounder and CEO of Inspire Brands – Sell what you sell
GUEST: Paul Brown, Cofounder and CEO of Inspire Brands, which includes Arby’s, Sonic, Dunkin’, and more.
LISTEN FOR: Insights on clear messaging, leading multiple brands, the changing media landscape, and sharing best practices
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:
The How Leaders Lead App: A vast libra
3 More Questions (Klaus Kleinfeld) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How can you measure motivation and what can leaders do to drive that in their organization?
How can leaders sustain high performance while managing their energy?
How can leaders who are great a dreaming big make visions practical and real?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day w
#257: Klaus Kleinfeld, Former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa – Purpose channels your energy
Every leader wants to bring more energy to the table—but it’s not about pushing harder or working longer. It’s about channeling your energy toward what truly matters.
In this episode, David talks with Klaus Kleinfeld, the former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa, and the author of the book Leading to Thrive. You’ll see how to use purpose as a guiding force to manage your energy, inspire your team, and cre
3 More Questions (Hayden Brown) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How can leaders build the courage and the conviction to pursue a vision that others might not see right away?
How should leaders think about what belongs with the core team versus what can be outsourced to freelancers?
What can leaders do to build a ‘resolve it now’ culture on their teams when it comes to resolvi
#256: Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork – Create clarity for your team
GUEST: Hayden Brown, CEO of the global freelance marketplace Upwork
LISTEN FOR: Insights on AI, remote work, and what it really takes to lead with clarity (and why it’s not what you think)
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:
The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay
3 More Questions (Clark Hunt) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How can leaders keep performance high in the face of constant change?
What can leaders do to get their teams to believe in a vision that feels bigger than what they think is possible?
What is a good ‘gut check’ to know if you’re actually leading with humility?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills
#255: Clark Hunt, Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs – Be quick to give others credit
What does it take to build a dynasty … and keep it going?
Clark Hunt, Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs, shares what it takes to deliver results year after year in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
You’ll go point by point through the five things every dynasty needs—plus hear how humility plays a surprising role in long-term success.
Whether you’re an NFL diehard or jus
3 More Questions (Tom Hale) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What habits or practices do you use to stay grounded so you can show up as a counterbalance for your team?
How do great leaders balance mission and performance so they don't lose sight or purpose and profitability?
What levers should leaders be paying attention to in order to keep customers loyal?
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GO DEEPE
#254: Tom Hale, CEO of Oura – Be a balancing force
What does it take to grow a breakthrough product … without losing your balance as a leader?
Tom Hale, CEO of Oura, shares how he’s scaling one of the most innovative wellness companies out there—the one behind the popular (and powerful) Oura Ring.
See how he’s constantly calibrating to offer the right blend of support and challenge, value and pricing, innovation and trust. You’re going to love
3 More Questions (Roger Crandall) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What can leaders do to ensure bureaucracy doesn’t creep in and take over their company?
What’s your process of evaluating the input of others and how does that ultimately play into the decision you make?
What do you do to reinvent yourself and while staying current?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership
#253: Roger Crandall, Chairman, President and CEO of MassMutual – Make the numbers mean something
As a leader, you’ve got to know your numbers. But you can’t maximize your impact as a leader unless you know how to make those numbers mean something to your team.
In this episode, David talks with Roger Crandall, President and CEO of MassMutual, a leader who blends sharp analytics with powerful storytelling.
You’ll learn how to turn data and revenue goals into human-centered stories that actual
3 More Questions (David Levy) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What's your take on leaders making sure they are replaceable in order to move up the ladder?
What can emerging leaders do to have an impact not only on their team but on people in any division of their organization?
How can leaders learn to trust their gut intuition?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership
#252: David Levy, Co-CEO of Horizon Sports + Experiences – True vision takes guts
Have a big idea, but not sure how to make it happen?
David Levy has been there. As Co-CEO of Horizon Sports & Experiences and the former President of Turner Networks, he’s led some of the boldest moves in sports and media.
He forged the landmark March Madness deal that let fans watch every game across CBS and Turner. And now, he’s betting big on new ventures like The Pickleball Slam and Unrivale
3 More Questions (Peter Cuneo) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What would you tell leaders looking to make an industry shift to do in order to prove they have what it takes to get the job done?
How can leaders in the creative space help develop the skill of creativity in their people?
David, what’s a story from your career where you entered into an alien environment, and how’
#251: Peter Cuneo, Former CEO and Vice Chairman of Marvel Entertainment – Embrace the unfamiliar
Every leader faces the unknown. The best ones lean into it.
When Peter Cuneo became CEO of Marvel, the company had just emerged from bankruptcy. But under his leadership, it became one of the most valuable entertainment brands in the world. By the time it was sold to Disney, Marvel’s stock had risen from just 96 cents to over $50 a share.
In this episode, Peter shares the bold, practical leaders
3 More Questions (Dr. Michael Gervais) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
Do you agree with the idea that everything someone needs is already inside of them?
How can leaders incorporate mental skills training into their day-to-day routine?
What other methods or frameworks are helpful in building confidence as a leader?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a
#250: Dr. Michael Gervais, Renowned high-performance psychologist and founder of Finding Mastery – Train your mind
Most people think confidence and resilience are just part of your personality. But high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais knows better: they’re skills you can train.
In this inspiring and practical conversation, Dr. Gervais shares the same mental strategies he uses to help Super Bowl champions, Olympic gold medalists, and top Fortune 500 CEOs be at their best.
Hit play now and learn h
3 More Questions (Zak Brown) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What’s the most interesting thing you learned about F1 racing from your interview with Zak?
What do you think about clarity beating the consensus in high pressure moments?
How does a leader ensure that every person on the team is tied to the overall performance of the organization?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up y
#249: Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing – Performance is everyone’s job
You can hire great people and set bold goals … yet still fall short. Why?
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, knows the answer. And it has less to do with talent, and more to do with something most leaders overlook.
This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a high-performance team—and why clarity might be your most powerful tool.
You’ll also learn:
Why exclusivity w
3 More Questions (Mike Cessario) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What do you think about edginess in branding and reframing edginess as entertainment?
What advice do you have for leaders trying to build momentum for a brand just starting out?
What can leaders of larger companies do to stay agile and move fast in the same way small companies can?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up y
#248: Mike Cessario, Founder and CEO of Liquid Death – Disrupt with discipline
They sold a $300 coffin. They made a candle with Ozzy Osbourne’s DNA. And built a $1.4B beverage brand doing it.
Mike Cessario, founder and CEO of Liquid Death, has turned irreverent ideas into a marketing juggernaut. But behind the stunts is a seriously disciplined approach to brand, strategy, and execution.
If you're building a challenger brand—or just trying to make people actually notice you
3 More Questions (Sharon Price John) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How can leaders define the concept of "emotional brand equity" in their own brand?
How simple is the turnaround strategy SDSS x2 (“stop doing stupid stuff” … and then “start doing smart stuff”)?
How do you know when to listen to data and when to rely on pure willpower to get something done?
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GO DEEPER
S
#247: Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear – Meaning is your brand’s superpower
The real product isn’t always what’s on the shelf. It’s the story—and the feeling—that comes with it.
Sharon Price John, CEO of Build‑A‑Bear, reinvented a mall staple by returning the company from a $49 million loss to sustained profits while expanding into digital, adult, and licensing channels.
And here’s the insight that anchored her: Build‑A‑Bear isn’t selling teddy bears. It’s selling mean
3 More Questions (Jimmy Kirchdorfer) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do YOU think about mission statements?
What are some practical ways a leader can drive the concept of "psychological safety" throughout their organization?
What’s your perspective on encouraging emerging leaders to chase what they are good at?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minute
#246: Jimmy Kirchdorfer, Chairman and CEO of ISCO Industries – Grow the business so your people can grow with it
What’s the real purpose of business growth?
According to Jimmy Kirchdorfer, CEO of ISCO Industries, it’s not just revenue or market share. It’s about creating opportunity—for your team, your customers, and your culture.
In this episode, he shares how a golf irrigation supplier grew into a global pipe distributor. It’s a powerful blueprint that shows you how reinvesting in growth (and people) can
3 More Questions (Bob Jordan) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do you handle criticism when you make a public statement and then change your mind?
What are your thoughts on the perspective that someone should try and avoid making an impact on day one of their new role?
What’s the best advice you’d give a leader on how to handle high stress?
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GO DEEPER
Scale up
#245: Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines – Be both an optimist and a realist
If you’re leading through a tough season, you know how easy it can be to either sugarcoat the truth or get overwhelmed by it.
Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan has faced a lot of challenges since he took over in 2022—from operational setbacks to major policy shifts. In this episode, he shares how important it is to be honest about the reality you’re facing while also staying optimistic about what
3 More Questions (Sanjit Biswas) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How do you make space for new ideas?
What do you think about team discipline to create more long term business sustainability?
What can other leaders learn from the "big eyes and big ears" approach to meeting with customers?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Lead
#244: Sanjit Biswas, Cofounder and CEO of Samsara – Big eyes, big ears
If you want to build smarter solutions and truly serve your customers, you’ve got to get closer to what they’re struggling with. In this episode, Samsara CEO Sanjit Biswas shares how his “big eyes, big ears” mindset helps uncover those opportunities.
You’ll also learn:
How to make your engineers love sales (no, really)
The one thing you’re missing about curiosity
Practical ideas to put
3 More Questions (Steve Case) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How does a leader know if their idea is good enough to power through the slog?
What does it mean for revolution to happen through evolutionary ways?
Why is it important to change the scenery in order to go "hunt" for new business ideas?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day wit
#243: Steve Case, Cofounder of AOL – Success takes time
When you’re building something new, it’s easy to get discouraged by how long it takes to gain traction. But if anyone knows how to stay in the game, it’s Steve Case.
In this episode, the AOL cofounder and Revolution CEO opens up about the grit, patience, and strategy it took to pioneer the internet—and why most success stories take a lot longer than people think. You’ll hear how he built AOL thro
3 More Questions (Gui Loureiro) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
What does it mean to perform in order to transform?
Why is it important to discuss what is not going to be done when a company is strategizing?
Why is the power of positivity so important as a leader?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app —
#242: Gui Loureiro, CEO of Walmart in Canada, Chile, Mexico & Central America – To transform your business, transform yourself first
If you’re wanting to see big change in your company, here’s a question: are you willing to change, too?
Gui Loureiro, regional CEO of Walmart for Canada, Chile, Mexico, and Central America, shares what it took to lead a digital and cultural overhaul at Walmart Mexico—and why he had to evolve as a leader to make it happen.
This episode is a powerful reminder that the big transformations you want
3 More Questions (Greg Johnson) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How can leaders empower their people to own decisions while still ensuring they deliver on what matters most?
How can leaders avoid over-indexing on data and still keep people at the heart of decision making?
What are the most important ways a leader can set the right tone?
———
GO DEEPER
Scale up your le
#241: Greg Johnson, Owner of the San Francisco Giants – Let people take ownership
If your smartest people aren’t stepping up, maybe it’s time to look in the mirror.
In this episode, David sits down with Greg Johnson, the Chairman of Franklin Templeton and principal owner of the San Francisco Giants. Greg shares why ownership—not control—is the key to building high-performing teams and retaining top talent.
Whether you lead in finance, sports, or anywhere in between, you’ll wa
3 More Questions (Scott Boatwright) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
Why might it be smart to lean into a leadership role before it's officially yours?
How do developmental initiatives help newly promoted leaders transition into their new roles while maintaining strong relationships with former peers?
Why are simple team member exercises like listing out responsibilities so powerfu
#240: Scott Boatwright, CEO of Chipotle – Remove complexity to unlock performance
Why do good teams sometimes fall short?
Too often, leaders blame the people — when the real problem is the system they’re working in.
In this episode, Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright shares how operational clarity can unlock performance across your organization.
This conversation is packed with practical insights to help you eliminate friction and elevate your team’s performance.
You’ll also le
3 More Questions (Andy Jassy) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to:
How does someone deal with the pressures of figuring out their path early in their career?
How does a "shadow role" help prepare both the individual and the company for a smooth leadership transition?
How does the paradigm of having either a one-way door or a two-way door decision empower employees within a big c
#239: Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon – Start with the customer and work backward
It’s easy to say you care about customers. But how do you actually make decisions with them in mind?
In this episode, David sits down with Amazon CEO Andy Jassy for a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s biggest companies keeps customer focus at the heart of everything, from product launches to leadership culture.
You’ll also learn:
The two documents you need before you launch a
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