How Leaders Lead with David Novak

David Novak

David Novak sits down with the best CEOs, Founders & Entrepreneurs in business, sports and entertainment to talk about hot topics like mindset, preparation, vision and best of all, how they all got started!

  • 10 minutes 26 seconds
    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:

    1. How can leaders define the concept of "emotional brand equity" in their own brand?
    2. How simple is the turnaround strategy SDSS x2 (“stop doing stupid stuff” … and then “start doing smart stuff”)?
    3. 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

    14 July 2025, 5:00 am
  • 55 minutes 36 seconds
    #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 meaning. If you want to expand and grow your brand (without losing its heart), hit play on this episode!

    You’ll also learn:

    • A turnaround formula so simple, it fits in four letters
    • An analogy to honor your company’s past—without getting stuck in it
    • The math (and magic) behind a viral “Pay Your Age” campaign
    • What decisive leaders understand that hesitant ones miss

    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.

    10 July 2025, 5:00 am
  • 11 minutes 16 seconds
    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:

    1. How do YOU  think about mission statements?
    2. What are some practical ways a leader can drive the concept of "psychological safety" throughout their organization?
    3. What’s your perspective on encouraging emerging leaders to chase what they are good at?

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    GO DEEPER

    7 July 2025, 5:00 am
  • 50 minutes 9 seconds
    #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 power your success and scale your business.

    You’ll also learn: 

    • Why “do what you love” might be terrible career advice
    • What psychological safety looks like in a team (and how to preserve it)
    • The one sales skill leaders often overlook
    • Jimmy’s first-hand story of bailing Scottie Scheffler out of jail at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla

    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 July 2025, 5:00 am
  • 13 minutes 9 seconds
    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:

    1. How do you handle criticism when you make a public statement and then change your mind?
    2. What are your thoughts on the perspective that someone should try and avoid making an impact on day one of their new role?
    3. What’s the best advice you’d give a leader on how to handle high stress?

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    GO DEEPER

    30 June 2025, 5:00 am
  • 48 minutes 35 seconds
    #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’s next.

    Listen to this episode and you’ll have a powerful framework for leading through whatever challenges you’re up against right now.
    You’ll also learn:

    • The #1 thing to do if you want to develop more leaders
    • A better mindset for handling pressure without burning out
    • Advice for changing your stance on an issue
    • What most leaders get wrong in crisis communication

    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.

    26 June 2025, 5:00 am
  • 9 minutes 34 seconds
    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:

    1. How do you make space for new ideas?
    2. What do you think about team discipline to create more long term business sustainability?
    3. What can other leaders learn from the "big eyes and big ears" approach to meeting with customers?

    ———

    GO DEEPER

    23 June 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 8 seconds
    #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 your core values into action
    • A helpful formula to prioritize your R&D budget

    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.

    19 June 2025, 5:00 am
  • 13 minutes 36 seconds
    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:

    1. How does a leader know if their idea is good enough to power through the slog?
    2. What does it mean for revolution to happen through evolutionary ways?
    3. Why is it important to change the scenery in order to go "hunt" for new business ideas?


    ———

    GO DEEPER

    16 June 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    #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 through years of slow progress, what he looks for in entrepreneurs today, and how that iconic line, “You’ve Got Mail,” came to be.

    If you’re feeling stuck or off track, this episode will help you refocus and recharge!
    You’ll also learn:

    • Three qualities of successful entrepreneurs
    • The #1 mindset you need if your business is in growth mode
    • A powerful leadership lesson from the disappointing AOL-Time Warner merger
    • Why a one-size-fits-all leadership style might let you down

    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.

    12 June 2025, 5:00 am
  • 9 minutes 36 seconds
    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:

    1. What does it mean to perform in order to transform?
    2. Why is it important to discuss what is not going to be done when a company is strategizing?
    3. Why is the power of positivity so important as a leader?


    ———

    GO DEEPER

    9 June 2025, 5:00 am
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