How Leaders Lead with David Novak
- Episodes
- 483
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 12, 2026
About the podcast
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.
Episodes 483
#317: Artemis Patrick, President & CEO, Sephora North America – People are always watching the leader
Don’t look now, but …. your team is looking at you. People are taking their cues from you. Your energy. Your attention. How you show up each day sets the tone for everyone around you. No pressure, right? …
Show notes
Don’t look now, but …. your team is looking at you.
People are taking their cues from you. Your energy. Your attention. How you show up each day sets the tone for everyone around you.
No pressure, right?
Fortunately, it’s something Sephora President and CEO Artemis Patrick understands well after more than 20 years at one of today’s most successful and innovative retail brands. In this conversation, she shows you how to lead with more kindness, passion, and an irresistible authenticity that will bring out the best in both you and your team.
This conversation is for you if:
You’re curious about trends in retail, tech, and merchandising
You’re trying to build a culture that’s both kind and strong
You want to know what makes a good partnership
You want to learn how to be a steady anchor for your team
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.
#316: Philippe Laffont, Founder, Coatue Management – Know your gaps, then fill them
Philippe Laffont isn’t interested in leading thousands of people. He doesn’t want the CEO title of the company he founded. And yet he’s built Coatue Management into one of the largest technology investment …
Show notes
Philippe Laffont isn’t interested in leading thousands of people. He doesn’t want the CEO title of the company he founded.
And yet he’s built Coatue Management into one of the largest technology investment firms in the world, managing almost $100 billion in assets.
And he’s done it by knowing exactly what he does well and what he doesn’t, and then building a team to fill those gaps.
Great leaders know what aspects of leadership they’re not so great at. And when you have that kind of humility and self-awareness, you can bring in the right people, fill the gaps, and build something amazing together.
Philippe is a disarming leader whose honesty will both make you laugh and make you think. Plus, he shares insights into the future of technology and AI that every leader or investor should hear.
This episode is for you if:
You need some encouragement after a career stumble
You’re trying to boost the level of healthy debate on your team
You’d like the freedom to be more authentically “you” at work
You want to hear what one of the world’s smartest investors thinks about the future of AI
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.
#315: David Rogier, Founder & CEO, MasterClass – Get curious about everything, even failure
You might expect the founder and CEO of MasterClass to be a curious guy. And you’d be right. David Rogier soaks up insights all the time from people like Serena Williams, James Patterson, Gordon Ramsay, and …
Show notes
You might expect the founder and CEO of MasterClass to be a curious guy. And you’d be right.
David Rogier soaks up insights all the time from people like Serena Williams, James Patterson, Gordon Ramsay, and over 200 other world-class talents who’ve created courses for his online learning platform.
But he’s just as eager to learn from mistakes, which can be really hard to do. Because failure stings, and our instinct is to get defensive when things go wrong. But if you’re willing to get curious instead, you can actually solve problems, grow as a leader, and make a real impact.
This episode is for you if:
You want tips for influencing important people (including your boss’s boss)
You’re trying to create a culture where people learn from their mistakes
You get anxious any time you have to hear feedback about yourself
You want to know what Coach K, Martha Stewart, and Martin Scorsese taught David about leadership
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.
#314: Kyle Leahy, Chief Commercial Officer, WHOOP – Outhire yourself
Good news for anyone who doesn’t have all the answers: you don’t need them. You just need the right people in the room—and the humility to hire them. Kyle Leahy has used this leadership philosophy to build …
Show notes
Good news for anyone who doesn’t have all the answers: you don’t need them. You just need the right people in the room—and the humility to hire them.
Kyle Leahy has used this leadership philosophy to build strong brands and teams at Glossier, Nike, and now, at WHOOP as the Chief Commercial Officer.
She calls it outhiring yourself: bringing in the right mix of specialists who know more than you, then unlocking that expertise around a big, strategic vision.
Is it unnerving? Yes. Does it work? Also yes. And this episode will show you how to do it.
This episode is for you if:
You’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome
You’re trying to build a special brand
You’re starting a new role and want to make the right first moves
You want to build a culture that’s big on both kindness and accountability
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.
#313: Joe Preston, President & CEO, New Balance – Focus on what you can control
How did New Balance go from a modest “dad shoe” brand to a $10 billion global company? You might assume they just copied the playbook of their big-name competitors. But New Balance President & CEO Joe Preston …
Show notes
How did New Balance go from a modest “dad shoe” brand to a $10 billion global company?
You might assume they just copied the playbook of their big-name competitors.
But New Balance President & CEO Joe Preston knows better. In this conversation, he opens up about their unconventional path to success, including how they’ve worked hard to control their own destiny instead of just reacting to what the big guys are doing.
If you want to scale smartly, you’ve got to learn where you can actually move the needle, then have the discipline to focus on those things instead of everything else.
This episode is for you if:
You work in retail and want to see what’s working
You’re in a season of rapid growth but want to protect your culture
You need to make quick progress without burning out your team
You want to know what makes sponsorships and partnerships work
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.
#312: Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder & CEO, Cabot – Be an idea collector
How does a 24-year-old with no construction experience turn a remediated coal mine in rural Nova Scotia into one of the world’s top golf destinations? That’s the story of Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder and CEO of …
Show notes
How does a 24-year-old with no construction experience turn a remediated coal mine in rural Nova Scotia into one of the world’s top golf destinations?
That’s the story of Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder and CEO of Cabot. Twenty years later, he’s built one of the most respected golf brands in the world, with five courses featured in Golf Digest’s World Top 100.
And he did it by becoming an “idea collector” – obsessively studying great courses and learning from key mentors, then turning that expertise into something that stirs people’s souls.
This conversation is packed with leadership lessons and golf lore aplenty, and it’ll help you be the kind of leader who inspires others through grit, expertise, and a genuine love of excellence.
This episode is for you if:
You’re an entrepreneur – or want to become one someday
You’re building your career and want to find people to mentor you
You have high standards but also want to build a kind culture
You need inspiration for your next golf trip (and honestly, who doesn’t)
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 to
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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.
#303: Ben Goodwin, Cofounder, CEO & Formulator, OLIPOP – The power of emotional intelligence
It’s statistically harder to get a job at OLIPOP than it is to go pro in the NBA. And after this conversation with CEO and Cofounder Ben Goodwin, you’ll see why. OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda Ben formulated and …
Show notes
It’s statistically harder to get a job at OLIPOP than it is to go pro in the NBA.
And after this conversation with CEO and Cofounder Ben Goodwin, you’ll see why.
OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda Ben formulated and built from the ground up. So how did he go from creating tasty soda products to building a culture that everyone wants to be a part of?
It all comes down to emotional intelligence.
You can have the best product in the world. But if you lack the emotional intelligence to connect with people and create a mission they want to be a part of, your bottom line will suffer.
This episode is for you if:
You’re an entrepreneur (or thinking about becoming one)
You want to attract better talent
You do any kind of product development work
You want a few fun facts about soda to drop at parties
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.
#302: Varun Krishna, CEO, Rocket Companies – Culture is rooted in behavior, not words
We’ve all heard the famous quote that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” But as CEO of Rocket Companies, Varun Krishna knows that a healthy work environment doesn’t just happen. In this episode, he talks …
Show notes
We’ve all heard the famous quote that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
But as CEO of Rocket Companies, Varun Krishna knows that a healthy work environment doesn’t just happen. In this episode, he talks about why so many organizations get it wrong. He also shares several key principles he and his team use to forge their culture in real behavior, not just words on a slide deck.
That foundation has allowed Rocket to scale massively—including over $16 billion in acquisitions—without losing who they are.
This episode is for you if:
- You are always looking for ways to strengthen your culture
- You want to find a noble cause for your business
- You develop products or work with customers
- You want to be more present at home
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.
#301: Julie Bornstein – Founder & CEO, Daydream – People skills matter most
The tech landscape is changing faster than ever, as we’re all trying to navigate big shifts in AI, consumer shopping habits, and more. But it’s nothing new to Julie Bornstein. She’s been at the forefront of …
Show notes
The tech landscape is changing faster than ever, as we’re all trying to navigate big shifts in AI, consumer shopping habits, and more.
But it’s nothing new to Julie Bornstein. She’s been at the forefront of retail for decades, leading big brands like Nordstrom and Sephora through the ecommerce revolution.
And now, as the Founder and CEO of the AI-powered fashion search engine Daydream, she’s once again at the bleeding edge of technological change.
But through every shift, the thing she keeps coming back to is this: people skills matter most.
In this conversation, Julie will help you stay on the front edge of technology – without sacrificing the people skills it takes to make them work.
This episode is for you if:
You’re thinking about making the shift from corporate to entrepreneurship
You’re doing any work with customer-facing AI
You want to understand the future of retail and ecommerce
You’re trying to design a strong loyalty program
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.
#300: Marty Smith, Reporter, ESPN – Deep listening builds deep trust
If you’re a leader, you know how important the skill of listening is. It’s the foundation for every strong relationship in your world. But in the daily hustle, it can be hard to slow down and truly be present …
Show notes
If you’re a leader, you know how important the skill of listening is. It’s the foundation for every strong relationship in your world. But in the daily hustle, it can be hard to slow down and truly be present in every meeting and conversation.
Take it from Marty Smith, one of ESPN’s most recognizable faces. In his years covering college football, golf, and NASCAR, he’s earned the trust of some of the sports world’s biggest names … simply by listening well.
In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of those relationships, sharing what he’s learned from legends like Nick Saban, Tiger Woods, Lane Kiffin, and more—plus his own hard-earned wisdom on how to build stronger relationships by listening deeply.
This episode is for you if:
You want to build deeper connections with the people around you
You struggle with complacency (or have a team that does)
You get uncomfortable reflecting on your own failures
You just love sports
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.
#299: David Dorman, Former CEO, AT&T – See around corners
What separates leaders who survive massive change from the ones who get blindsided by it? David Dorman has had a front row seat to disruption throughout his career, both as the former CEO of AT&T and as a board …
Show notes
What separates leaders who survive massive change from the ones who get blindsided by it?
David Dorman has had a front row seat to disruption throughout his career, both as the former CEO of AT&T and as a board member for PayPal, Motorola, CVS, and Dell.
In this conversation, he talks about how he “sees around corners” – not only preparing for industry shifts before they happen but also becoming the kind of leader people trust to guide them through it.
This episode is for you if:
You spend more time thinking about the current reality of your business than its future
You want insight into how AI might disrupt your business
You want to build a deep leadership bench
You’re interested in market trends and analysis (because David knows this stuff cold!)
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 unique opportunity to find common ground in Washington, even among people with deep disagreements.
Every leader needs to get people with different perspectives aligned and working together. And in this conversation, Joe shows you how to lead in a divided room – and why that skill matters more than ever.
This episode is for you if:
You work in a polarized space where progress feels impossible
You regularly face big, complex decisions
You struggle to work with people who disagree with you
You’re frustrated by party politics
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 them, not after.
If not, you may find that the biggest obstacle for your company’s growth … is your own company! Listen to this episode and get inspired to think bigger, build better, and drive real growth.
This episode is for you if:
You need some fresh ideas to strengthen your company culture
You want to hire more proactive people
Any part of your job involves creating or selling products
You sense your team is nervous about AI taking their jobs
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 him a powerful leadership lesson: you can’t make your job your whole identity. And that insight – alongside some therapy – gave him the freedom to be his best, both on the field and off it.
The lines between our professional and personal identities can get blurry, especially for leaders. If you make your job your whole identity, it can lead to burnout, fear of failure, or worse.
Landon’s candor and fresh perspective can show you a different way.
This episode is for you if:
- You’ve questioned your own self-worth after a professional disappointment
- You’ve struggled with burnout (or coached someone who has)
- You want to create more accountability in your company culture
- You avoid conflict when it arises
- You love sports, especially soccer, or just appreciate a good story
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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: they’ve built a following of over 12 million people across all social channels. And together they run the media company Family Made – all while being true to themselves and their values.
This conversation will give you the permission you need to just try stuff – even if it’s not perfect, even if it doesn’t work – because sometimes, just doing something teaches you exactly what you need to know.
You’ll also learn:- The secret to being vulnerable as a leader without “emotionally vomiting”
- What all the best marketing has in common
- How to define what your brand really is
- The surprising feeling Shawn had at her Olympic medal ceremony
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 find out what happens when someone decides to use everything they've built to actually change the world.
These days, it can feel like climbing the ladder of success means we have to be a little cynical and disingenuous in our relationships. But in this episode, you’ll see a better way – one where seeing the best in people can be what actually makes you successful.
You’ll also learn:
- The refreshing sales philosophy that made Bobby successful in the insurance business
- How to be generous to others without being a doormat
- What it really means to be a great communicator
- The shocking move he made to save a longstanding PGA golf tournament
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 just transactions.
And as you’ll see in this conversation, that kind of people-first mentality doesn’t apply only to customer service. It can also change the way you build your whole business, and it might just be the competitive advantage you’ve been looking for.
You’ll also learn:
- The hard truth about scaling your culture
- Why a loyalty program might actually backfire
- A practical way to stay connected to daily operations
- A great tip that can help your brand stay authentic
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 laser focused on serving customers.
If you’ve ever felt stuck overthinking a decision, here’s what it takes to beat analysis paralysis and keep pushing forward even when you don’t have all the answers.
You’ll also learn:
- Kecia’s 80/20 rule for faster, bolder decisions
- Why your company strategy might not be sticking (and what to do about it)
- How to respond when you get passed over for a promotion
- The advice she wants every other woman in leadership to hear
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 stand for, he and his team can make smarter creative decisions, take the right risks, and keep growing even when consumer tastes shift.
If you want a brand that’s relevant, authentic, and successful, don’t miss this episode.
You’ll also learn:
- The question Mark asks before making any creative decision
- How to make your core values more than just a list of ideals
- Why it took 10 years to scale Uncrustables (hint: it involves bread bubbles)
- The marketing principle that put Ludacris in a JIF commercial
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 designers to make a living.
And it’s a testament to Mariam’s ability to find the potential in people that others miss. Whether it’s with customers, independent artists, or her own team, she leads with the belief that people are full of possibilities, and it’s up to leaders to draw them out.
Hit play and see how to become the kind of leader who gets the best out of the people around them. You’ll also learn:
- The question to ask before you fire someone
- How to build a competitive moat around your business
- Why your brand should be a big factor in your approach to AI
- One surprising strategy that can help you be a better listener
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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 the mission, too.
This episode will help you see your customers (and their feedback) in a whole new light – and reveal just how important it is to fall in love with customer retention if you want to grow your business.
You’ll also learn:
- Stealable marketing strategies from P&G, Wendy’s, Coors, and more
- A practical way to get your entire team focused on the right work
- One question to ask if you want to boost employee engagement
- How to keep your culture informal without sacrificing results
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.
#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 …
Show notes
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’s how he led turnarounds at iconic brands like Levi’s and Gibson Guitars.
In today’s episode, you’ll see how to use the same thinking to revitalize and expand your own brand. You’ll also learn:
- How to make better decisions by being “aggressively patient”
- The incredible story behind the naming rights for Levi’s Stadium
- What “helicopter vision” is, and why every leader should have it
- What you need instead of a “Plan B”
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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