How Leaders Lead with David Novak
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.
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
Mentioned books
28 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 6min
#284: Shea Ralph, Head Coach of Women’s Basketball, Vanderbilt – Ground your team in values, not results
Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt women’s basketball coach and former UConn standout turned National Coach of the Year. She talks about grounding team identity in values not results. She explains being “the weather” to steady her team. She covers building trust after a program collapse, teaching players to own standards, and managing competitive energy and resilience.
52 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 1h 23min
#283: Roy Williams, Former Men’s Basketball Head Coach, North Carolina – Get better every single day
Roy Williams, legendary college basketball coach and three-time national champion, shares his passion for getting better every day. He talks about building disciplined practice routines, recruiting and motivating top talent, leading with vulnerability, and turning losses into fuel for growth. Expect memorable off-court stories and practical leadership principles.
15 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 8min
#282: Peter Wharton-Hood, CEO, LIFE Healthcare Group – Pick team players over individual performers
Peter Wharton-Hood, CEO of LIFE Healthcare Group and former banking executive who led 16,000 staff through COVID, champions team-first leadership. He talks about choosing team players over stars. He shares bold ways to unite people, how he learned healthcare on the job, why humility helps non-clinical leaders, and how to use storytelling and routines to embed culture.
21 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 1h 9min
#281: Tom Wilson, Chair, President and CEO, Allstate – Be brutal with your time
Tom Wilson, Chair, President and CEO of Allstate, is a time-disciplined leader who champions purpose-driven work and operational focus. He discusses being brutal with his time, using silence to listen, deciding which problems deserve attention, balancing being in the business with leading it, and practical AI tools that boost productivity.
44 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 1h 5min
#280: Blake Mycoskie, Founder, TOMS Shoes and ENOUGH – Stay connected to your why
Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS and creator of ENOUGH, entrepreneur turned mental-health advocate after his recovery. He discusses building TOMS with viral marketing and one-for-one giving. He opens up about his seven-year battle with depression and the warning signs. He explains ENOUGH’s bracelet idea, using AI for emotional support, and why staying connected to your why matters.
54 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 17min
#279: Eric Kutcher, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company – AI is about growth, not just productivity
Eric Kutcher, Senior Partner and North America chair at McKinsey with 28+ years guiding large transformations. He frames AI as a once-in-a-generation shift and explains three ways it creates value. He talks about building an AI-first mission to motivate teams. He shares a memorable stress-ball story about rebuilding trust and offers practical ways leaders should develop curiosity and role-model AI use.
14 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 1h 16min
#278: Hanneke Faber, CEO, Logitech – Co-create with your team
Hanneke Faber, CEO of Logitech and former P&G/Unilever leader (and one-time Dutch national diving champion). She explains co-creating a 24-hour company strategy with 7,000 people. She connects diving’s courage and visualization to leadership. She talks brand reinvention, rapid feedback and coaching, Urgency without burnout, and bold product and AI bets.
5 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 1h 10min
#277: Jimmy Roberts, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, NBC & Golf Channel – Curiosity builds connection
Jimmy Roberts, a 13-time Emmy-winning broadcaster known for memorable Olympic and sports storytelling, joins to talk curiosity and connection. He discusses finding unusual human stories, the power of "untrying," discipline and preparation, balancing tough questions with respect, and how storytelling and compassion shape leadership.
6 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 21min
#276: Jason Garrett, 3x Super Bowl Champion and Former NFL Head Coach – You can lead from anywhere on the team
Jason Garrett, former NFL quarterback and three-time Super Bowl champion turned coach and NBC analyst. He talks about building team culture where anyone can lead. Short stories about pressure, preparation, and the value of readiness. Talks about clear vision, accountability, and leading from any role on the team.
Jan 22, 2026 • 56min
#275: Ania Smith, CEO, Taskrabbit – Take risks that teach you something
Ania Smith, CEO of TaskRabbit, shares her inspiring journey from a Polish immigrant to leading a tech powerhouse. She emphasizes the value of bold experimentation and building a culture that embraces failure as a learning tool. Ania discusses the importance of listening to customers and making personal use of products to drive improvement. She reveals how a unique family points system helps balance her demanding career with family life. With a focus on curiosity and understanding employee motivations, Ania inspires leaders to navigate the complexities of modern workplaces.
