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David Novak

Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
EPISODE

3 More Questions (Jim Levine) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

More from David Novak

Autonomy is an earned right
Yes, you’ve got to delegate. But you can’t just hand over the reins. Give people time to prove they’ve earned that autonomy, and then get out of their way.
Manage 2 up, 2 down
Instead of simply managing the people who report to you, manage 2-up and 2-down. This allows you to keep a pulse on the front lines of your business *and* show your boss’ boss that you’re thinking broader than just your area of expertise.
Learn to fail fast
What keeps us from moving on after failure is often our ego. As leaders, we have to learn to set that aside so we can learn quickly and get back on the horse.
How to disagree with your boss
When your perspective differs from your boss’s, first let your boss know that you understand where they’re coming from. Then provide your perspective on how your proposed solution could be more effective.
Two keys when stepping in as a new leader
When you take over a new leadership role, make it your own by creating new memories with your team. At the same time, learn what made the previous leader successful.
Be an idea hunter
Always be on the lookout for ideas from your team, competitors, and partners. When your antenna is up, you'll find that good ideas are everywhere.
Understand autonomy is an earned right
When your people prove that they’ve earned your trust, get out of their way so they can do their job.
The key to making faster decisions
Decision making without competence is rarely right. If you want to make faster, better decisions, start with competence and let that lead to confdence.
Be here now
Stay in the present and give everyone you're with your full attention.
Be an idea hunter
Always be on the lookout for ideas from your team, competitors, and partners. When your antenna is up, you'll find that good ideas are everywhere.
Coaching is a vital first step to help underperformers
If someone's work isn't up to standards, coach them on how they can do better. If they still don’t respond, you’ll know it’s time to let them go.
Seek insights everywhere, then try to apply what you learn
Learning only gets you so far. You've got to pair learning with execution if you want to be successful. To master this habit of active learning, read David's new book, How Leaders Learn!
No involvement, no commitment
If you want people’s buy-in on a big project or idea, you have to get them involved. People care more and work harder when they feel heard and included!
Emulate companies that consistently get great results
To get great results year after year, study companies with a long track record of success. That’s how David came up with these five key drivers that shaped Yum! Brands.
Seriously consider if the criticism has merit
When people critique your ideas, take time to discern if it’s just reactive pushback or if there’s a valid point behind the complaint.

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Short (but powerful) leadership advice from entrepreneurs and CEOs of top companies like JPMorgan Chase, Target, Starbucks and more.

Clips

  • Two keys to retaining top talent
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Autonomy is an earned right
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Go for a win-win negotiation
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Manage two-up and two-down
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Keep your ego from derailing you
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Make new memories when you take over from a founder
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Decide what kind of leader you’re going to be
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Value your team’s output AND input
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Learn to fail fast
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Make DE&I more than a program
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Listen to others’ ideas before sharing your own
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Suspend judgement when vetting ideas
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Celebrate other people's ideas as much as your own
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Value what the front line can bring to the party
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • One way to stay in touch with the frontline
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • What to do when you lose your passion
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Get your people behind a big vision
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • How to know what’s really going on in your business
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • What to do when you disagree with your boss
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Don’t delegate recruiting to someone else
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Model the behaviors you want to see more of
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Soft stuff drives hard results
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Seek insights everywhere, then try to apply what you learn
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • No involvement, no commitment
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Codify how you review and reflect on your work
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • People appreciate hearing you talk about your mistakes
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Emulate companies that consistently get great results
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • When you give tough feedback, start with respect
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Show people you really want their feedback
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Find an intentional way to reflect on your own growth and development
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO
  • Seriously consider if the criticism has merit
    David Novak
    David Novak
    Yum! Brands, Cofounder and former CEO

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