473 episodes
- 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. - 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. - 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
13/08/2026 | 1h 10 mins.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
06/08/2026 | 54 mins.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.
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About How Leaders Lead with David Novak
How Leaders Lead gives you a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the world’s most iconic leaders across business, sports, and entertainment. Hosted by David Novak, Co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, this podcast pulls back the curtain on how top CEOs, founders, and game-changers make things happen. When you tune in, you’ll learn from legends like Tom Brady, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Dimon, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Indra Nooyi, Stanley Druckenmiller, and more.
Other guests include:
CEO of Starbucks
CEO of Target
Co-founder of Home Depot
and many others...
David’s unique perspective and thought-provoking questions distill the wisdom of these leaders into actionable insights you can use to elevate your own leadership game. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or already leading teams, this show helps you build the confidence you need to lead well.
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