How Leaders Lead with David Novak

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#226: Allan Thygesen, CEO of Docusign – Everyone’s a salesperson

2025-02-1355:03

Today’s guest is Allan Thygesen, the CEO of Docusign. Before that, he led Google’s $100 billion advertising business in North and South America. In this conversation, you’ll get a front row seat to how he approaches technology and innovation—including his advice for integrating AI into your business. Plus, he’s got an outlook on sales you need to hear. If selling makes you a little uncomfortable, don’t worry! Listen to this conversation and learn how to embrace that role—and why you can’t overlook it if you want other people to follow you. You’ll also learn: Practical advice to integrate AI into your business The two most important factors for a startup Why what seemed like “chaos” at Google was actually key to innovation How to make your team more well rounded Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

3 More Questions (Harris Barton) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2025-02-1008:49

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What kind of coaching would you give a player or a teammate who made a public mistake that everyone was talking about? What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to own up to? What are some of the signs that a business is getting too big too fast? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#225: Harris Barton, 3-time Super Bowl Champion & Founder and managing director of H. Barton Asset Management – To learn from others, you’ve got to listen

2025-02-0652:36

Just in time for the Super Bowl, this week’s guest is Harris Barton, the founder and managing director of H. Barton Asset Management. He was also an all-pro left tackle for the 49ers, winning THREE Super Bowls with Joe Montana and Steve Young. Today, he runs a thriving investment fund, where he has about a billion dollars of assets under management. If you’re feeling stuck on a problem, listen to this episode. Why? Because Harris understands the power of listening and learning from others. The answers you need are probably already around you somewhere—it’s just a question of whether or not you’re listening for them! You’ll also learn: How to bounce back after a big failure Leadership lessons from inside the huddle at Super Bowl XXIII The one thing everyone notices about their leader The mindset you need to stack one success on top of another Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

3 More Questions (Jamie Dimon) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2025-02-0315:26

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What’s changed about leadership since you’ve been out of Yum? Why do you think Jamie gets a much more realistic answer when he asks his employees what compensation they think they deserve? Can you tell us about the “since we last met” exercise? What’s the lesson you take from Jamie calling up Sandy Weill after years of no contact for a meeting? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#224: Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase – Get to work

2025-01-3001:32:221

Some leaders talk a big game. Others deliver big results. If you want to know what separates the two, listen to this episode with Jamie Dimon, the Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, the largest and most profitable bank in the U.S. You’ll find a wealth of insight into what it takes to cut through the BS and execute big changes. Great leaders know: you get results when you get to work. If you want to up the execution level for you and your team, hit play now! You’ll also learn: Jamie’s thoughts on the global economy, including China, Russia and more What really drives curiosity The two actions that drive a successful turnaround One warning you need to hear if you’ve recently been promoted Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

3 More Questions (Bobbi Brown) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2025-01-2714:32

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What advice would you give someone who’s trying to develop Bobbi's skill of getting to the heart of the issue? What are some signs that your company is getting cocky and bloated … and how can leaders avoid that? What do you think it is about Bobbi that has allowed her to grow one billion dollar brand and be on her way to growing her second? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#223: Bobbi Brown, Founder of Jones Road Beauty – The best solutions are often the simplest

2025-01-2352:36

How do some leaders seem to tackle big challenges and make it look effortless? In this episode, David sits down with world-renowned entrepreneur and cosmetics titan Bobbi Brown. Her latest venture, Jones Road Beauty, is growing like crazy because people love how she has simplified the complicated world of beauty and cosmetics. Leaders waste all kinds of time because they overcomplicate things. But when you learn to simplify, you can save time and energy—and ultimately, find better solutions, too. Listen to this episode to see how Bobbi does it, and discover why the ability to simplify is a game-changer for your time, energy, and creativity! You’ll also learn: One strategy to try if you’re struggling to connect on social media The easiest way to get inspired when you’re stuck Why your unconventional career path might just be your biggest strength A surprising quality of great salespeople ——— FEATURED RESOURCES The How Leaders Lead mobile app Download the app and scale up your leadership skills in under 2 minutes a day

3 More Questions (Louise Brady) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2025-01-2010:20

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: Are there red flags to look for that typically indicate that someone is not going to be a great partner? At what point does someone need to fold and cut their losses? How would you approach coaching someone who tends to be negative, guiding them towards adopting a more positive mindset? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#222: Louise Brady, Co-Founder of Piedmont Capital Partners – Go above and beyond for others

2025-01-1646:51

Is one of your 2025 goals to strengthen your team or shift your culture? If so, you’ll love hearing from Louise Brady, the co-founder and managing partner at the successful VC firm Piedmont Capital Partners. She shows how powerful it is when leaders prioritize the people around them. When you go above and beyond for your team, it comes back to you—and not just in a fluffy, feel-good way. As you’ll hear today, that kind of generosity can drive serious results for your culture, your bottom line, and your own growth. You’ll also learn: What you can do to attract the attention of a VC firm One sneaky strategy to give tough feedback to someone with a bad attitude The surprising role that positivity plays in your team culture Exciting developments in the ongoing effort to cure cancer and Alzheimer’s ——— FEATURED RESOURCES The How Leaders Lead mobile app Download the app and scale up your leadership skills in under 2 minutes a day

3 More Questions (Pat Kelsey) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2025-01-1310:52

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How can you break down Pat's thought that leaders ought to treat their current job like their next job? What are the best ways a leader can remind their team of their standard of excellence? If you were creating your own shield like Pat, who would be your hero? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#221: Pat Kelsey, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Louisville – Crush it where you’re at

2025-01-0958:23

Thinking about your next career move? Most leaders are. But if you don’t approach it the right way, it can cost you. Sometimes, you can get so caught up thinking about your next big career move that you lose focus on what really matters—which is doing excellent work in whatever role you’re in now. See what that looks like in action in this episode with Louisville men’s basketball head coach Pat Kelsey. Plus, get an inside look at the way he’s using a strong culture to turnaround one of the most storied basketball programs in the nation. You’ll also learn: The one thing you need to do to get your core values to stick What to focus on when you’re not the most talented person in the room How to approach a job when it’s not the role you ultimately want The most underappreciated part of any organization’s success ——— FEATURED RESOURCES The How Leaders Lead mobile app Download the app and scale up your leadership skills in under 2 minutes a day

3 More Questions (Drew Holcomb) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2025-01-0615:06

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What is it about writing songs that makes you want to keep doing it and how do you keep coming up with ideas? How should business leaders incorporate emotional leadership into their own style? What advice would you give a leader who’s trying to figure out who their core audience is and how to serve them better? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#220: Drew Holcomb, Musician – “Super serve” your core audience

2025-01-0201:10:581

If you want to start 2025 with more focus and efficiency, this is the episode for you! Drew Holcomb fronts a beloved Americana band called Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. And he knows something that a lot of leaders don’t: you can waste a lot of time and energy chasing after customers and fans that won’t really help your business grow. Listen to this episode to discover the power of super-serving your core audience—plus find tons of creative inspiration to kick off 2025! You’ll also learn: The #1 enemy of creativity (hint: it’s not what you think) Must-hear advice for anyone who struggles with perfectionism Insights for succeeding in any industry that’s constantly shifting One brilliant way to strengthen your connection with your spouse or partner ——— FEATURED RESOURCES The How Leaders Lead mobile app Download the app and scale up your leadership skills in under 2 minutes a day

#219: The Best Of Q4

2024-12-2642:57

In this episode, we take all the great wisdom from the last three months and highlight the most impactful takeaways for you. The Best Of Q4 features leadership insights from these incredible leaders: Eliah Drinkwitz, Head football coach at Mizzou Mike Wirth, Chairman and CEO of Chevron Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott Fawn Weaver, Founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands (IHOP, Applebee’s, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop) Aaron Witt, CEO of BuildWitt Erika Ayers Badan, CEO of Food52 and former CEO of Barstool Sports Scott Harrison, Founder and CEO of charity: water Jeni Britton, Founder of Jeni’s Ice Creams Doug Hirsch, Owner of Arizona Drive Pickleball Team and founder of Seneca Capital Jared Belsky, CEO of Acadia Karla Gallardo, Cofounder and CEO of Cuyana ——— FEATURED RESOURCE The How Leaders Lead mobile app Download the app and scale up your leadership skills in under 2 minutes a day

3 More Questions (Karla Gallardo) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2024-12-2310:49

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How do you as a leader create momentum around big dreams without overcomplicating it for your team? What ways could Karla's ‘fewer, better,’ concept apply to leadership? How would you advise leaders on how to balance maintaining their core offerings with driving innovation and introducing new products? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#218: Karla Gallardo, CEO of Cuyana – Dream big, then start small

2024-12-1950:50

Got a big idea, but not sure what to do about it? Discover the power of dreaming big (and then starting small) in this episode with Karla Gallardo, the co-founder and CEO of Cuyana. Inspired by her upbringing in Ecuador, Karla co-founded Cuyana on the principle of selling fewer, better things. Thirteen years later, they’ve hit $35 million in annual revenue and are loved by tastemakers like Meghan Markle and Jessica Alba. Listen now if you’re ready for some serious motivation to turn YOUR big idea into reality. You’ll also learn: What to prioritize in your product development if you want loyal customers Why *not* making the sale is sometimes a good thing Powerful insights that anyone in the retail space needs to hear What most people get wrong when they’re looking for investors ——— FEATURED RESOURCES The How Leaders Lead mobile app Download the app and scale up your leadership skills in under 2 minutes a day

3 More Questions (Jared Belsky) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2024-12-1611:54

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What’s the secret to staying hands-on with the details without getting bogged down in them? What would you say to a leader dealing with this dysfunction tax, but they say, “Well, it’s always been this way so there’s nothing I can really do about it.”? What would you say to leaders who are kicking the can at offering coaching? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#217: Jared Belsky, CEO of Acadia – Avoid the dysfunction tax

2024-12-1254:57

What’s the “dysfunction tax” — and how is it costing your business? Find out in today’s episode with Jared Belsky. He’s the CEO of Acadia, a digital marketing agency that works with big names like Red Roof Inn, Maggiano’s, and Party City. Plus, Jared has a lot of practical advice to maximize your ad agency partnership — for better communication, ad creative, and results! You’ll also learn: The danger of getting too far from the details What to do when you want to fire your ad agency Tips for making an effective creative brief Why asking the wrong kind of questions is a huge missed opportunity ——— FEATURED RESOURCES The How Leaders Lead mobile app Download the app and scale up your leadership skills in under 2 minutes a day

3 More Questions (Doug Hirsch) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

2024-12-0912:55

On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What is your take on Doug's belief that you can’t perform at your best mentally if you aren’t at your best physically? What is it about Doug’s leadership that made him so successful in a field he didn’t know much about? How can leaders in a competitive industry retain their top talent? ——— GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day with the How Leaders Lead app — Download today in the App Store Get coaching from David by signing up to receive his Weekly Leadership Plan. It builds on each podcast episode by offering actionable steps you can take each week to incorporate the learnings from the episode into your leadership style. It only takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start off your week! Subscribe to the How Leaders Lead podcast to ensure you never miss an episode!

#216: Doug Hirsch, Owner of Arizona Drive Pickleball Team and Founder of Seneca Capital – Excellence is a habit

2024-12-0553:50

“Excellence” is a word we tend to throw around in the business world. But it’s not just a standard you aim for. It’s a habit you develop! And no one exemplifies that better than Doug Hirsch, the owner of the Arizona Drive Pickleball Team and founder of Seneca Capital. Plus, he’s a philosophy buff, a chess whiz, and a nationally ranked pickleball player himself! Hit play on this conversation for an inspiring look at what it takes to bring habits of excellence into your world. You’ll also learn: Why that chip on your shoulder might be a good thing The leadership quality that builds a loyal, transparent culture How to know when it’s time to move on from a job One of leadership’s most underrated tools—and how to use it ——— FEATURED RESOURCES The How Leaders Lead mobile app Download the app and scale up your leadership skills in under 2 minutes a day

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