Leadership Articles

Insights, tips and more from David & the world's top leaders.

Why do I struggle with delegation?

Discover six common ways leaders sabotage their team’s productivity – and what to do instead. Delegation is a key skill for any leader. Whether you’re a solopreneur, CEO, corporate manager, or small business owner, you have to be able to transfer ownership of a task to someone else. Why is good delegation so important? Well, […]

Is it time to fire that person?

Three questions you can ask to get clear on one of the toughest decisions a leader can face. Early on in my career, I had to let somebody go. This person wasn’t a good fit, and everybody on the team knew it. In the conversation, I remember saying, “I know how you must feel.” She […]

How can I get better at receiving criticism?

A five-step process to help you turn negative feedback into a powerful fuel for creativity and growth. “I love being criticized!” Said no one ever. Nobody enjoys hearing negative feedback. But I’ve been thinking about criticism a lot ever since I talked with ESPN broadcaster Jay Bilas on my podcast, How Leaders Lead. Now, this […]

How can I prioritize my employees’ well-being?

Four key takeaways every leader needs to understand about mental health and the workplace It’s hard to believe, but this month marks three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. As we continue to navigate the pandemic and its aftermath, one key issue has emerged as a top priority for leaders: the mental health of our […]

Do I have what it takes to do tough things as a leader?

Three hacks to make your hardest leadership moments (a little) easier Just imagine. You’re in the room with Vladimir Putin, trying to figure out his next move. Or you’re sitting across the table from Nobel-award winning physicists, and it’s your call whether or not they get a $17 million telescope. That’s just a small sampling […]

How can I inspire people to tackle a challenge?

A six-step process to lead your team on a big mission Recently, I got to talk with world-renowned cardiologist Holly Andersen. February is American Heart Month, and Holly joined me on the podcast to share more about the movement she started, Hands Only CPR. This was just a couple of weeks after Buffalo Bills safety […]

How can my team serve customers better?

Four practical ways to build a customers-first culture. Well, I hit a major career milestone last week. I got to interview my first gang member! Yes, believe it or not, Bernie Marcus joined me as a guest on How Leaders Lead this month. He is the 93-year-old iconic co-founder of The Home Depot. And before […]

How can I beat my competitors?

Four ways to gain an edge in your market Are you ready to kick some butt? I hope so, because today, I want to help you beat your competitors. No matter what industry you’re in, you’ve got competition. But in my experience, too many leaders get so focused on their internal challenges that they forget to pick […]

How can I create some quick-win habits?

Six unusual (but powerful) habits you can do in six minutes or less It seems like everybody is talking about New Year’s resolutions right now. On one hand, I love that new year energy, when we’re all thinking about how we can develop ourselves. But when I ask great leaders how they make big things […]