Author: David Novak

David’s passion is to make the world a better place by developing leaders at all ages through David Novak Leadership, his family’s Lift-a-Life Foundation, Lead4Change, Global Game Changers and The Novak Leadership Institute at the University of Missouri.

Novak has been recognized as “2012 CEO of the Year” by Chief Executive magazine, one of the world’s “30 Best CEOs” by Barron’s, one of the “Top People in Business” by FORTUNE and one of the “100 Best-Performing CEOs in the World” by Harvard Business Review…

Podcast

Peter Georgescu, Chairman Emeritus, Young & Rubicam

Post author By David Novak
Post date 07/26/2018
1 Comment on Peter Georgescu, Chairman Emeritus, Young & Rubicam

Peter Georgescu went from a Soviet-style labor camp in Romania, to obtaining a first-class education in America. His remarkable leadership skills helped him rise through the ranks to become the Chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam, one of the worlds largest advertising companies. Peter is a highly regarded author and speaker who is devoted to income equality and opportunity for all Americans. His remarkable experiences of hardship and oppression, combined with his leadership experience, give him a unique perspective on the challenges facing our society.

[bctt tweet=”“Companies can’t be great unless the leader transforms themself.””]

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This great resource will help you along the way, during or after you listen to the podcast. Not only will you get to know our guest, you will be asked tough questions to really spearhead your journey to becoming a better leader! And look below for more insights and clips!!

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Peter’s upbringing inspired his approach to business. He sticks with the notion of being good and kind in times in difficulty. He says it’s important to give others the benefit of the doubt and to treat them like they are good people. And it’s important to be a good person yourself.
(9:55-10:43)

What reaction would you expect from people who are treated as Peter describes?
How has your upbringing influenced your leadership style?

Peter says the secret to success is innovation. The goal of any organization should be customer delight. If your customers change, you have to change. How does an organization become innovative? Through its people.
This is why culture is important. When there is a good work culture, people are more productive, creative, and motivated. Organizations who don’t innovate will fail. You have to stay on top of the game and be willing to change.
(31:50-34:36)

How can organizations take a more innovative approach to meet their goals?

David Novak Leadership in the News

Making the decision to invest in an MBA?

Post author By David Novak
Post date 07/23/2018

Personally, I don’t think an MBA is enough or is even required. I know that you can be successful without getting an MBA because I don’t have one.
However, I do believe there is one skill that can help you get ahead regardless of your degree: being an avid learner.
I believe being an avid learner differentiates good leaders from great ones, whether you have an MBA or not. I got promoted time and time again without one. Let me share an example with you.

Read the CNBC Make it! Article.

Podcast

Terrian Barnes: Diversity, Creativity & Inclusion

Post author By David Novak
Post date 07/12/2018
2 Comments on Terrian Barnes: Diversity, Creativity & Inclusion

Terrian Barnes has held many leadership roles, including being legislative correspondent for a prominent Louisiana congressman to heading the public affairs group for the largest franchise trade association in the U.S. to launching an award-winning diversity and inclusion platform for a Fortune 500 global fast food giant. In addition to being a very active community volunteer, Terrian puts her energy and passion for gender diversity and multiculturalism into her own consulting agency, F. E. Smart, helping organizations envision a future workforce of inclusive leaders who leverage both female and male leadership skills as a source of innovation, creativity and competitive advantage.

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Terrian recalls a time when she wasn’t treated fairly because of her race. At her elementary school, the best student in each class was selected to represent their grade at the school board meeting. When Terrian was in the 4th grade, she had earned the top spot. She was meant to go; however, the teacher chose another girl who was white. Fortunately, the principal intervened and made sure Terrian went.
That experience has stayed with her. It reminds Terrian to treat other people with respect and without judgment.
(20:00-22:13)

What have you experienced in regards to inequality in the workplace?
How does diversity benefit an organization? How can leading a diverse team make you a better leader?

When it comes to work/life balance, Terrian says you can have it all. The size of your plate is limitless. Put some things to the side and bring on new stuff. You have to make it work.
(30:01-30:51)

What does your work/life balance look like?
What things can you shift on your plate to do what matters to you?

Podcast

Bob Burg: Giving, Saying No and Overcoming Obstacles

Post author By David Novak
Post date 06/28/2018
1 Comment on Bob Burg: Giving, Saying No and Overcoming Obstacles

Bob Burg is a speaker and author. His original business parable, The Go-Giver (coauthored with John David Mann), has captured the imagination of his readers and begun a world-wide movement. A Wall Street Journal and Business Week Bestseller, it has sold over 800,000 copies and was rated #10 on Inc. Magazine’s list of the Most Motivational Books Ever Written, and was on HubSpot’s 20 Most Highly Rated Sales Books of All Time.

His newest book is titled, The Go-Giver Influencer, about which the legendary executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith says, “This may be the most important Go-Giver book yet—and it today’s polarized world, it could not be more timely.”

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Bob says the best way to get people on your side of an issue is to help them figure out what they want.
A good leader is able to ask questions and find out what others want to accomplish. When you know this, frame what you want in a way that others feel it benefits them to get onboard. Ultimately, people do things for their reasons, not your reasons. As a leader, your job is to serve people to make sure they get what they want.
(34:44-36:06)

Bob says leaders should serve others. Does you leadership reflect a mindset of serving your team?

Bob went from a top-notch salesman to a renowned author. How did he get there?
He began by studying personal development. He bought lots of popular books to learn best practices. Then he joined the National Speakers’ Association and attended conferences. He paid attention to what the speakers said and did, taking notes and applying what he learned. Bob’s first book sold more than 300,000 copies.
(13:16-15:50)

What inspires you about Bob’s tenacity?
What actions are you currently taking to achieve your goals?

Podcast

Geoff Colvin: Senior Editor at Large for Fortune Magazine

Post author By David Novak
Post date 06/21/2018

Geoff Colvin is an award-wining thinker, author, broadcaster, and speaker on today’s most significant trends in business. As a longtime editor and columnist for FORTUNE, he has become one of America’s sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership and related issues. Hear Geoff discuss leadership insights from his bestselling book Talent is Overrated and his latest book Humans are Underrated: What High Achievers Know That Brilliant Machines Never Will.
[bctt tweet=”“Nobody is a natural-born great performer….leaders are made.””]

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Geoff credits his success to growing up in a supportive environment. It’s very important to have a place where you can try different things and be supported in what you want to do without excessive criticism. It’s a balance of having freedom to try different things, and being gently pushed to go further than you thought you could – but not shoved.
(3:33-7:05)

Think of a mentor who has helped you in your career. How did that person support you?
How can you provide a more supportive environment for your team?

When people use the term “natural talent,” it belies all the hard work involved in becoming great at something. Geoff’s book was written on the premise that great performance comes from deliberate practice.
Natural talent, the ability to do something, is overrated. The world’s greatest performers know that hard work is what brings success, and they resent being told they have a great natural talent because it makes it sound easy. Becoming great at something is never easy.
(8:28-10:44)

Do you think natural talent is overrated?
Do you believe someone can become great at something by deliberate practice alone?

David Novak Leadership in the News

Former Yum Brands CEO David Novak on GE's rise and fall

Post author By David Novak
Post date 06/20/2018

David Novak, David Novak Leadership CEO, discusses the rise and fall of General Electric after news that the historic company is going to leave the Dow Jones index.

^{on CNBC Squawk Box}

Watch on CNBC Squawk Box.

Blog Intentional Job Hopping Lead Others Lead Yourself

Leadership, Horse Racing and the Triple Crown

Post author By David Novak
Post date 06/12/2018

By: David Novak, Co-Founder & CEO of David Novak Leadership

Donna is an expert in the horse racing field. She rode for 11 ½ years and retired in 1998 as the second leading female jockey in the country by money earned after having won 1,171 races. After retirement, Donna transitioned into reporting on horse racing and currently works as an on-track reporter for NBC. She is also COO of Starlight Racing and co-owner of Triple Crown Winner, Justify.
According to Donna Barton Brothers, winning in the horse racing industry requires leadership, persistence, and finding your niche. And these are lessons that can help any leader.
When I interviewed Donna, I was intrigued by the leadership lessons she shared and how they were relevant to everyone.

Know your people (or horse) so you can lead them well.

Horse racing requires communication, just like your job requires it. Donna learned the importance of communication when leading her horses. Horses communicate by flicking their ears, and this information helped Donna understand what her horses liked and didn’t like. She made adjustments to the way she rode by watching how her horses responded, and that made the difference in her winning races.
It’s important to recognize that people respond to you as a leader too. So, you have to pay attention so you can lead them effectively.
Do you listen and respond to your team and make adjustments? As the late Sam Walton used to say, the most powerful way to motivate people is to listen. Get to know your team. Understand what they like and don’t like. And make adjustments based on what they tell you. This will help you lead a winning team too.

Confidence and persistence can open doors for you.

Donna was passionate about riding for Wayne Lucas, yet she never met him before. So, she took the initiative to meet him. After winning three races at Keenland on opening day, she was the leading jockey. The next day, Donna introduced herself to Wayne and made her intentions known by saying, “Hello Mr. Lucas. My name is Donna Barton. I won three races here yesterday and I know that you are in the habit of riding the hot hand, and right now, that’s me. I was pretty sure you were gonna want to meet me.”
This single introduction wasn’t enough to get her riding in his barn. Donna started hanging out in his barn, sharing her insights on his horses and asking if he needed her to ride in the morning. The answer was typically no, until one day, a jockey didn’t show up and she got the opportunity to ride. Her confidence and persistence paid off and Donna became one of Wayne’s favorite jockeys.
Are you confident and persistent? Decide on what you want and then make your intentions known. Don’t give up after the first few nos. Instead, keep connecting and learning until your intentions become reality.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, find your niche.

Donna’s mother set the bar high for her children. She expected them to be the best at whatever they chose to do. When Donna became a broadcaster, she realized she wasn’t the best at it when she compared herself to other well-known broadcasters like Diane Sawyer. This knowledge really discouraged her.
Her sister helped her work through this by reminding Donna that she was the best broadcaster on horseback – no one did it better than her. Donna used this insight to reframe her perspective and celebrate the unique things she brings to the news, like capturing the emotion of jockeys after finishing a race before the emotion has time to go away and providing real time updates on delays because she’s where the action is. This allowed Donna to focus on being the best in her unique niche.
Do you get discouraged by comparing yourself to others? How can you change your perspective by discovering your niche and being the best in your own unique way?
Knowing your people, being confident and persistent, and finding your niche are powerful leadership lessons for anyone. You have the power to become the best leader you can be if you’re willing to take action on what you learn. It’s time for you to Go Lead!
If you enjoyed these leadership lessons, you don’t want to miss my podcast with Donna where she shares more insight on horseracing, winning, and leading. Listen to it here.

Podcast

Donna Barton Brothers: Leadership, Horse Racing & The Triple Crown

Post author By David Novak
Post date 06/07/2018

Donna Barton Brothers was born into horse racing. As “Donna Barton”, Barton rode races from 1987 to 1998 and retired in 1998 as the second leading female jockey in the United States by money earned. She won 1,130 races.

In 1999 she began commentating for television coverage of horse racing and in 2000 covered the Breeders’ Cup Championships for NBC Sports. She has covered Horse Racing, Show Jumping, Bull Riding and other horse sports for NBC and NBCSN since 2000 and, during that time, has covered 18 Kentucky Derbies and, memorably, the Triple Crown captured by American Pharoah in 2015. Brothers is also an author and wrote Inside Track: Insider’s Guide to Horse Racing in 2011.

[bctt tweet=”“I’ve realized the only thing we can do, truly, is lead by example.””]

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Donna never intended to be a jockey. She wanted to go to college after high school, and planned to take care of horses to earn money for her tuition. But after a lot of prodding from her agent, she agreed to ride one race, just to rule it out as a career choice. It turned out to be the most exciting thing she’d ever done-and the most challenging. She went for it and never looked back.
(5:11-7:29)

Have you ever gotten excited about something you thought you weren’t interested in?

In some ways understanding how to motivate an employee is like understanding how to motivate a horse. Some horses can’t stand to be touched with a whip and other horses won’t move without it. In the same way, people have different traits; for example, some can be sensitive while others aren’t.
(10:51-12:25)

Make a list of your team members and write the best way to encourage them. Who on your team works best with a gentle approach? Who needs you to let them navigate with more independence? Who excels with blunt feedback?

David Novak Leadership in the News

David weighs in on Howard Schultz's departure from Starbucks

Post author By David Novak
Post date 06/05/2018

Not many have a better resume than Howard Schultz, says David Novak, former Yum Brands CEO.

Listen to David on CNBC.

David Novak Leadership in the News Inspiring Others

The Novak Center for Children’s Health

Post author By David Novak
Post date 06/01/2018

The retired CEO of Louisville-based Yum! Brands, David Novak headed the lineup of dignitaries launching the building’s debut, including University of Louisville Board of Trustees Chair David Grissom, UofL President Neeli Bendapudi, Ph.D., and UofL Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Gregory Postel, M.D.

Read This Article.

Podcast

Ed Stack, Chairman & CEO, Dick’s Sporting Goods

Post author By David Novak
Post date 05/31/2018

Ed Stack is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DICK’s Sporting Goods since 1984. He leads the largest, full-service sporting goods retailer in the country. Ed Stack has led this Fortune 500 Corporation through a remarkable period of growth from just two stores in upstate New York to 713 DICK’s Sporting Good’s stores, 98 Golf Galaxy stores and 35 Field & Stream stores.

Do absolutely the best job you can do. Go that extra mile and even if you’re not recognized right away, continue to go that extra mile…because great leaders and great performers will stick out.”

From Podcast PowerNotes

Ed likes to include his team members in the decision-making process. They are closer to the customers and know them best, which gives them better insight about what people want. For instance, at one point customers were asking for a brand called Under Armor. Ed listened to the store manager who suggested they stock the brand. The product ended up driving a lot of business.
If you don’t let people be a part of the decision process, you’ll miss out on good feedback. If Ed hadn’t gone out to the store and listened to the team there, they would’ve missed a big opportunity.
(19:27-21:18)

Does your organization include all of its team members in decision making?
Are you good at listening to your team members, or could you do better?

Ed says that to be a good leader you need to be a great listener. Listen to what’s going on in your organization. Make sure your team members have a voice. Of course, leaders should be visible and heard, but most importantly, they should listen.
(34:09-35:10)

What happens in an organization when team members don’t have a voice?
Do you consider yourself a good listener?

Get all the details by downloading this episodes Podcast Notes:

Podcast

Chef Edward Lee – Food, Culture and a Recipe for Leadership

Post author By David Novak
Post date 05/17/2018

Today’s guest is Chef Edward Lee. Edward is a Brooklyn-born chef and restaurateur currently based in Louisville KY and Washington D.C. He has made numerous television appearances on shows including The Mind of a Chef on PBS and as a contestant on the ninth season of Top Chef. He is a seven-time James Beard Award nominee and currently owns five restaurants in both Louisville and Washington, DC. In his latest book, Buttermilk Graffiti Edward Lee dives into the intersection of food and culture on a trip across America where he finds exceptional food in unconventional places. Now here is our host David Novak and special guest Edward Lee.

[bctt tweet=”“Every single day is an opportunity to learn and to get better.””]

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From Podcast Action Journal

Edward spent a lot of time with his grandmother. She was always cooking, and Edward was fascinated by what she did in the kitchen. She’d make tea and miso soup from scratch and haggle at the local ethnic market.
Edward remembers how he would try to spend time with her in the kitchen, but she would make him leave. In Korean culture, cooking was considered a woman’s work. Edward had to fight his way in. He told his grandma, “I live here, too, and you can’t kick me out.” She relented and gave him little jobs to do. He used that time to learn everything he could. That was the beginning of his culinary career.
(5:18-7:39)

Have you ever felt so passionate about something, you couldn’t be told no?
What are some ways you have you fought to be where you are today?

Edward believes in leading by example. He is never above doing any job. He has washed dishes and cleaned toilets. If he sees a problem, he deals with it. “This is not just a business, it’s about taking care of people,” he says. Edward wants everyone to feel like they are coming into his home. He cares about his people and thinks of his team as more than employees; they are family.
(17:35-19:05)

When a leader leads by example, how does it affect the organization?
How do you show your team that you care about them?

Podcast True Self

Jonathan Blum, Co-Founder, Bad Martha Beer

Post author By David Novak
Post date 05/03/2018

Today’s guest is Jonathan Blum. Jonathan is a self professed workaholic and entrepreneur, whose accomplished career reflects his tremendous energy, creativity and tactical leadership. He served in the Carter White House, working directly for the president. He spent time in Asia working for Ogilvy and Mather public affairs as the Asia Pacific regional director. He finally landed at YUM brands and served as the Senior Vice President, Chief Public Affairs & Global Nutrition Officer, and took the restaurant company’s profile to new height’s over a 23 year career. He is the creator of the largest April fools joke in Public Affairs history and even started his own brewery called Bad Martha Beer.
[bctt tweet=”“Im learning every day, I love it.””]

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After his time working in the White House, Jonathan went to law school. He also worked for two law firms during that time, but two years in he realized he didn’t want to practice law.
Jonathan didn’t know what to do. He turned to his mentor because he felt stuck. His mentor had been in a similar situation; he left law to go into public affairs. After their conversation, Jonathan decided that was what he wanted to do, too.
(6:46-8:11)

Jonathan was fortunate to have a great mentor. Have you had a mentor who’s been influential in your career?

Jonathan gives the following tips to leading others:
• Catch people doing things right.
• Build up instead of tear down.
• Give people ownership.
(25:55-27:17)

Which of these could you do more of when leading your team?

Podcast Training

Carol Loomis, Trailblazer in Financial Journalism

Post author By David Novak
Post date 04/26/2018

Today’s guest is Carol Loomis. Carol is one of the best Financial Journalists of our time. Her six-decade career with Fortune Magazine began in 1954 as a researcher until her retirement in 2014 as Fortune Magazine’s senior editor at large. Along the way, she blazed a trail for women journalists, wrote a famous article about Alfred W Jones that coined the term “hedge fund” and became close friends with a little-known Omaha investor named Warren Buffett.
[bctt tweet=”“Learning can never be dismissed as not important…””]

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Carol gives the following advice to aspiring female leaders:
• Run your division or organization with the same rules men use.
• Find a mentor.
• When taking on a new initiative, learn as much as you can.
(29:44-30:30)

Which of these is most important for an aspiring female leader?

Because Carol had a family and a career, balance was really important. Having a great caregiver helped tremendously, but Carol recalls coming home after work and preparing dinner. Summers were more difficult. She went to her boss and asked for 3 months off a year, and fortunately he agreed.
Overall, Carol found a good balance, but juggling work and home was hard. People don’t give enough credit to women who work.
(48:58-51:50)

How does an imbalanced schedule affect you?
What are some ways you find balance in your work and home life? Or do you need to reevaluate your situation and make adjustments?

Podcast

Tressie Lieberman: Marketing for Start-ups & Going Beyond Expectations

Post author By David Novak
Post date 04/13/2018
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Today’s guest is Tressie Lieberman. Tressie is a rising leader in the marketing world. She is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at the start up Snap Kitchen charged with taking the brand to the next level. She was formerly at Taco Bell and Pizza Hut leading their digital efforts and well known social media campaigns. Her professional journey reveals her ability to scale the corporate ladder while maintaining a focus on the importance of leadership.
[bctt tweet=”“A lot of times as a leader you don’t even realize the impact that you’re having on people…you can make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.””]

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Tressie says you have to know who you are and be confident in it.
When Tressie was first appointed to leadership role, she tried to be like other leaders. She eventually learned it was better to be herself. It took her a long time to truly embrace her own style, and it’s still a work in progress.
(6:19-7:31)

Is it possible to become a better leader by copying another person’s leadership style?
What can leaders do to be more comfortable with their own styles?

Tressie is passionate about future female leaders. She encourages them to be curious and passionate. You shouldn’t wait to be asked, instead, take initiative and go for it. Be vocal about your career goals. Spend time on self-development. Don’t worry about what you’re not great at, just lead into your strengths.
(37:40-38:41)

In your own career, do you think you are vocal enough about your goals?
If you invest in future female leaders, what will your organization gain?

Podcast

Rory McIlroy: Staying Hungry & Inspirational Leadership | Part 2

Post author By David Novak
Post date 03/27/2018
1 Comment on Rory McIlroy: Staying Hungry & Inspirational Leadership | Part 2

This is Part 2 of our podcast with guest, Rory McIlroy. Rory is from from Northern Ireland and is a member of both the European and PGA Tours. He was world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking for 95 weeks. He is a four-time major champion, winning the 2011 U.S Open, (setting a tournament record score of −16), 2012 PGA Championship (with a tournament record margin of victory (8 strokes)), 2014 Open Championship, and 2014 PGA Championship. Along with Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth he is one of four players to win three majors by the age of 25.

To listen to Part 1 of our podcast with Rory McIlroy, click here.

[bctt tweet=”“Lead the way you would want to be led.””]

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From Podcast Action Journal

Novak:
How much is gratitude a part of your life?
McIlroy:
It’s huge. I think everyone has to be thankful for what they have. I think to receive something, you first have to be thankful for it and I’ve been very thankful for everything that’s happened to me in my life. I’ve got a deep gratitude to my parents and what they’ve done for me. I’m thankful every day I can get up in the morning and do what I do and spend time with very special people and learn from these people.
(22:55-23:34)

What are three things you’re grateful for today? To take this to the next level, write down three things you are thankful for each day this week.

Novak:
Any advice for up and coming leaders?
McIlroy:
Never be afraid to ask for advice, too proud or stubborn to take advice from people. Everyone is trying to help in some way. Lead by example, the way you want to be led. Be engaging and inspiring. Try to help others. Be selfless; if you help others, it will help you along the way as well. Keep a great perspective on things.
(32:36-33:43)

Do you struggle with asking for or taking advice from others?