Today’s guest is David Gibbs, the CEO of Yum! Brands. That’s Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC and The Habit Burger Grill. And yes, it’s also my former job! David is doing some incredible things to continue to drive big growth at Yum! Brands. And as you’re about to hear, he has a unique mentality that helps him do it. You see, David stepped into the role as CEO back in January of 2020 and was immediately faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. But throughout his career, when David has found himself in challenging situations, he looks for the opportunities. For the upside. For what’s positive. And if you’ve got that ability to reframe a situation, well, you’ve got the key to unlocking growth – for your business, for your team members, and for yourself too!  When you listen to David, you can’t help but learn that you can inspire others and drive big growth when you flip the script in a tough situation. So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – David Gibbs.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Edward Lee — celebrity chef, author, and restaurateur — to learn even more about how to show others they matter. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Well, it’s Thanksgiving, and since we’re gathering together this week for quality time and quality food, it’s the perfect chance for us to learn some leadership lessons from my favorite chef, Edward Lee.  You know, when people come to visit us here in Louisville and they ask where they should eat, I always recommend Edward Lee’s restaurant 620 Magnolia. His food is incredible and I gotta say, his carrot cake is absolutely out of this world. On top of being a successful restaurateur, he’s also competed on Top Chef, written two wonderful books, and has even been nominated for an Emmy! Really, he’s built a thriving career in an industry that can be pretty cutthroat – and he’s done it by showing people how much they matter. When he prepares a dish, when he’s talking to his staff, he treats every single person as an individual. People matter, and when you can show YOUR people that they matter to you, well, that’s the hallmark of a great leader. Keep listening to see how it’s done.  So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Edward Lee.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Gayle Troberman, President and CMO of iHeartMedia, about how to fight to bring big ideas to life in your company. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

You know, for us leaders, there’s just nothing quite as exciting as a good idea. But for a lot of leaders, what comes next is a real struggle. They’ve got a good idea, but they don’t know how to build traction for it and give it the buy-in it deserves.  That’s why I’m excited for you to hear from Gayle Troberman today. She’s the President and Chief Marketing Officer of iHeartMedia. They’ve got eight hundred and fifty broadcast stations putting music, news, and podcasts in the ears of 90% of Americans. For Gayle, that means a whole lotta opportunities to find great ideas. And boy, she’s doing just that. She is a vibrant, creative leader – but she doesn’t just have good ideas. She knows how to elicit those ideas from her team. And she knows how to make sure they actually get traction and become reality.  If you want to see how to fight for big ideas, then keep listening, because here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Gayle Troberman.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Lt Col Dan Rooney, Founder and CEO of Folds of Honor to learn even more about how to embrace challenges in order to ascend. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Today’s guest is Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, a highly decorated Air Force fighter pilot, and the founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. Now, Folds of Honor is an amazing nonprofit that gives scholarships to family members whose loved ones have died or become disabled while serving in the Armed Forces. And – get this – they just expanded their mission to include first responders as well. You know, Dan is just the perfect person to talk to this week as we’re reflecting on Veterans’ Day and all the incredible sacrifices our military servicemen and women have made for our freedom. Dan’s got the kind of leadership wisdom you can only earn when you’re flying through a dust storm in Iraq going a thousand miles an hour with the wing of your aircraft literally six inches away from your buddy’s.  I mean, the stakes are high and the challenges are nonstop – but hey, that’s where great leaders shine. We’re defined by how we respond when we face tough moments. In this conversation, Dan shares how we can actually be ready for those difficult times, embrace them, and come through them even stronger.  So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Dan Rooney. --- If you want a plan to help you improve as a leader each week, you can get a free one here at https://howleaderslead.com/plan/

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Oz Pearlman, the nation's top professional mentalist, to learn even more about how to create memorable moments for your customers and improve as a communicator and leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Well, buckle up, everybody, because today I’m talking with the country’s top mentalist, Oz Pearlman. He entertains NFL teams and big corporations with astounding tricks that make it seem like he’s actually reading minds. And you know what, he even does one of his tricks with me during this episode, and it’s honestly going to blow your mind. Let’s be honest – it’s one thing to have this incredible skill that Oz has. But it’s a whole other thing to turn that skill into an incredible business. Oz has done just that, and he’s done it by taking risks, honing his craft, and being incredibly strategic about his brand.  Most of all, though, he makes sure that every performance is about his audience, NOT about him. He doesn’t want to show off. He wants to give every person in his audience a memorable moment – and that’s why he’s one of the most in-demand performers around. Oz is gonna inspire you to create more memorable moments for your customers … PLUS he’s gonna make you think more about who you are, what your brand is, and how you can be an even better leader. So without further ado here is my conversation with my good friend and soon to be yours, Oz Pearlman. --- If you want a plan to help you improve as a leader each week, you can get a free one here at https://howleaderslead.com/plan/

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Jim Weber, the CEO of Brooks Running, to learn even more about mastering the power of focus. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Let me ask you, have you felt stuck not knowing how to prioritize areas of your business? It’s hard to figure out what’s worth focusing on and what isn’t. And hey, let’s face it, it’s tempting to chase every shiny new opportunity that comes along! But when you listen to today’s episode, you’ll see that some pretty incredible things can happen in your business when you understand the power of focus.  My guest today is Jim Weber, the CEO of Brooks Running. When he took over 20 years ago, they were trying to compete in every athletic category – and they were losing 4 or 5 million bucks a year doing it. Jim said, "Hey, let’s focus on ONE category – running – and let’s master it." And at first, the business shrank. But the very next year, the strategy was working. Now, they’ve crossed over the 1 billion dollar milestone in revenue. And they’ve got an extremely loyal customer base of runners, including my daughter Ashley, who ran a half marathon in Brooks!  It all started with the power of focusing on a single type of customer. If you want to learn how it happened – and how to use the power of focus in your business – well, keep listening! Here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Jim Weber.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Maritza Montiel, former Deputy CEO and Vice Chairman of Deloitte, to learn how to summon the courage to take on big challenges. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

I hate to break it to you, but you won’t make it very far as a leader unless you know how to summon courage. See, leaders have to speak their minds. They gotta get out of their comfort zone. They gotta take risks and dream big. All of that takes courage, and lots of it!  That’s why I’m so excited for you to hear from today’s guest, Maritza Montiel, who has GOT to be one of the most courageous leaders I know. She’s the former Deputy CEO and Vice Chairman of Deloitte and has blazed a trail as one of the most accomplished and admired women in corporate leadership. She believes we all have courage, and when you can tap into it, you can dream bigger, learn more from failure, take charge of your own career, and so much more. So here is my conversation with my good friend – and soon to be yours – Maritza Montiel.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Peyton Manning, the legendary NFL quarterback, to learn even more about how to be guided by authenticity as a leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Today’s guest hardly needs an introduction because joining me is legendary quarterback Peyton Manning. After his extraordinary career in the NFL, Peyton is now succeeding in the business world – leading his own production house, bourbon brand, charitable foundation … I mean, is there anything this guy can’t do!? But here’s what I really love about Peyton: no matter what he does, he leads with authenticity. He doesn’t feel like he has to know all the answers in these new ventures. He’s comfortable asking questions and getting his team on board to figure out solutions. That authenticity also helps him know when to say yes to an opportunity – and when to pass when it doesn’t work for him and his family. In fact, he decided against a traditional broadcast career for that very reason. Instead, he and his brother Eli host the “Manningcast,” which is an alternate live broadcast of Monday Night Football with famous guests and lots of candid conversations. It’s creating a TON of buzz and even took home a Sports Emmy. People are drawn to the authenticity in the Manningcast and in Peyton’s leadership style. That’s why it’s so darn important for us to learn from leaders who aren’t afraid to be themselves. So here is my conversation with my good friend…and soon to be yours…Peyton Manning.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Geoff Yang, the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Redpoint Ventures, to learn even more about how to assess people for the skills and traits your team needs. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Today’s guest is my friend Geoff Yang, the founding partner and managing director of Redpoint Ventures. He’s a legendary venture capitalist who’s backed companies like Stripe, Netflix, Sonos, and DraftKings … just to name a few. I gotta say, Geoff really knows how to spot what ideas are gonna catch on. And in this conversation, we go into detail about what he looks for in a new idea and the big trends he’s excited about. But Geoff doesn’t just assess the ideas. He assesses the people behind them. He has to decide whether an entrepreneur has what it takes to turn that idea into a thriving company.  So he’s become an expert at knowing exactly what traits great entrepreneurs have. And he’s gotten really good at assessing whether or not someone has them. That’s a skill EVERY leader needs because the consequences of making a poor assessment of talent and character can be pretty darn painful. But Geoff is proof positive that amazing things happen when we get it right.  So if you want to know how to assess people, then you will love this conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Geoff Yang.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Brian Cornell, the Chairman and CEO of Target, to learn even more about how to manage your energy for peak performance as a leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

As a leader, you face long days, tough decisions, and constant pressure. And you want to navigate it all with courage and creativity and all the other great qualities we talk about here on the podcast. But to do ALL that, day in and day out, you need one thing: energy! And lots of it. Without it, you just won’t have the strength and stamina it takes to inspire others. If you want to become a great leader, you have to know how to manage your mental and physical energy. Fortunately, today’s guest is the perfect person to help you learn how. I’m talking with Brian Cornell, who has served as the Chairman and CEO of Target for the last eight years. I gotta tell ya, he is so upbeat and positive. He is ALWAYS dialed in. And it’s that unrelenting energy that has helped him lead Target as they’ve navigated massive retail challenges and come out even stronger. He’s going to inspire you with his energy – and he’s also going to tell you exactly what changed 15 years ago when he started to manage it differently. So here is my conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Brian Cornell.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Stan Druckenmiller, the #1 investor in the world. Listen in to hear even more about how to see the future differently and make more strategic investments in business, philanthropy, and life. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Welcome to How Leaders Lead where every week, you get to listen in while I interview some of the VERY best leaders in the world. I break down the key learnings so that by the end of the episode, you’ll have something simple you can apply as you develop into a better leader. That’s what this podcast is all about! Today’s guest is Stanley Druckenmiller, the #1 investor in the world. I know, that’s a big claim! But get this: during his 30 years managing money for investors, he had an average annual return of 31%. And he NEVER had a down year. So if you’re even a little interested in finance, you’re going to learn a lot from Stan – including some really practical investment advice and his take on the future of our economy. But more importantly, there’s a huge leadership lesson to learn. Stan isn’t afraid to envision the future differently than other people. He can see trends and patterns others can’t – and then he has the courage to act on them. That’s a skill EVERY leader needs to develop. Seeing the future differently allows us to spot opportunities and prepare for what’s coming. If we just go with the flow of what’s current, we’ll always just be a part of the trend, not ahead of it.  You’re about to see for yourself how great leaders aren’t afraid to see the future differently. So here is my conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Stanley Druckenmiller.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Mark Erwin, the President and CEO of Bardstown Bourbon. Listen in to hear even more about how to achieve high performing success by equipping your team properly. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

If you want a high performing company, you need to build a high performing team. And we all want to get the most from our teams, but what do they need from us as leaders in order to succeed? Fortunately for us, I’m talking with Mark Erwin today. Now, this is a guy who has spent decades building and leading strong teams. He’s currently the President and CEO of Bardstown Bourbon, where he and his team are doing incredible things to stand out in a really crowded category. And he spent 25 years serving the Army, where he led the super elite Delta Force on countless top-secret missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact … I’m just gonna go ahead and say it … if you live in America, you’re safer today because of the way Mark Erwin built and commanded his teams. And as we mark the anniversary of 9/11 this week, I sure as heck am grateful for it. Some really incredible things are possible when we as leaders build strong teams – and Mark says that starts by equipping them properly. If you’re ready to see how that’s done, keep listening, because here is my conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Mark Erwin.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to fight complacency when your organization is doing well. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Well I couldn’t be more excited, because the new NFL season kicks off this week! Yeah, that’s right … football is back, baby! And it’s the perfect time to sit down and talk with my friend Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the National Football League.  He is starting his sixteenth year as NFL Commissioner, and if you follow the news at all, you know Roger has had to make some tough decisions and deal with his fair share of challenges. And of COURSE we’re gonna dig into that during this conversation because there’s a lot we can learn about how he leads. But on the other hand, he’s the chief executive of the most popular pro sports league in the U.S. That kind of success comes with its OWN challenges. What does great leadership look like when your product is so dang popular? How do you fight against the complacency that often comes when you’re succeeding? Keep listening so you can learn exactly how to keep pushing the status quo, no matter what level of success you’ve achieved.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Kelly Coffey, CEO of City National Bank. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to embrace feedback and create new channels for getting it. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Ask any decent leader if it’s important to get feedback, and you’ll get the same answer. Of COURSE it is.  We have to listen to what our teams and customers are saying if we want to improve our businesses. But getting good feedback is harder than it sounds. You can’t just put a comment box in the break room and call it a day! If you truly want to embrace feedback, you need a plan to get it and a genuine desire to listen to it.  And nobody embraces feedback better than today’s guest, Kelly Coffey. She’s the CEO of City National Bank, where she oversees 5,000 associates in 70 offices, PLUS over 56 billion dollars in assets. And she’s building something really special because she is SO open to her team’s ideas, and her team knows exactly how to share those ideas with her.  You’re about to learn so much about how great leaders embrace feedback.  You’ll also discover: How to get more feedback and collaboration from your team A critical reminder for ALL leaders, no matter how fast-paced your world is One practical idea to boost your confidence and quell those internal doubts A key insight for anyone who works in a job where you need to be highly responsive Advice for women who work in a male-dominated industries

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Cyrus Freidheim, Management Consultant and Former CEO of Chiquita and Chicago Sun-Times. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to get an outside perspective. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Today’s guest is Cyrus Freidheim, the former CEO of both Chiquita and the Chicago Sun-Times and an absolutely legendary management consultant. Consultants often get a bad rap for over-charging and under-delivering. (And let’s be honest – sometimes, they deserve it!)  But the RIGHT consultant delivers something that’s vital for your business: an outside perspective. It’s often the only way you can diagnose and fix your blind spots. And if you don’t, those blind spots will come back to haunt you! In this conversation, Cyrus will show you how to use that outside perspective to grow your businesses. As a consultant, he’s turned around countless organizations. He’s served on dozens of boards, and of course, he’s faced his own leadership challenges as CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times. He really has seen it all, and there is so much we can learn from him about the power of an outside perspective. You’ll also learn: The first question you need to ask if you want to turn a business around What to do when you face a major disagreement you just can’t resolve Two vital ingredients in a successful consultant-leader relationship  Why having (and becoming) a mentor is crucial to your success

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Jesse Cole, the owner of the Savannah Bananas. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to get people's attention. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

You can have the very best product, service, or cause in the world, but in order for it to really succeed, you need to be able to get people’s eyes and ears on it.  You need their attention. But it’s harder than ever to get it. Fortunately for us, this episode features Jesse Cole, the Owner of the Savannah Bananas baseball team. He is an absolute genius at getting attention. And even better, he knows how to turn it into lasting loyalty. The Bananas are not your everyday baseball team! They are out to make baseball fun – they’re putting pitchers on stilts and lighting bats on fire and doing all kinds of wacky stuff. And it’s working. They sell out every game … they have over 2 million followers on TikTok … and they’re attracting serious attention from MLB teams who want to know how they do it.  Jesse is gonna help you apply his strategies, so your organization can get the attention it really deserves. You’ll also learn: What to say to your team when big ideas don’t work  One strategy you can use this week to inject fresh ideas into your organization Why it’s okay to be misunderstood (and how to cope when it’s hard) How to shift your focus from getting customers to getting fans

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Marisa Thalberg, the chief brand and marketing officer of Lowe's. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to embrace big changes with curiosity. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

There’s that old saying that the only constant is change. Isn’t that the truth? And it’s especially true for leaders. We’ve always got to be scanning the horizon for the next disruption or big idea. Some leaders see those shifts coming and feel threatened. But great leaders know how to embrace those big changes with curiosity – and they’re the ones who find the new opportunities that big changes always bring.  This conversation is going to help you become that kind of leader. Our guest is Marisa Thalberg, the Chief Brand and Marketing Officer of Lowe's – and an absolute legend in the marketing world.  She was out ahead of digital and social at Estee Lauder. Her keen instincts at Taco Bell redefined the brand at a crucial time. And now, she’s at Lowe’s, looking ahead to how data and loyalty are once again changing the game. If you want to learn how to leverage big changes for your business, this is the conversation for you. We’re going to see exactly how great leaders embrace big changes with curiosity. You’ll also learn: The trick to connecting dots that others might miss in order to differentiate a brand How to lead a creative process – and the #1 thing to avoid when you start Practical ways you can maximize sponsorships Three things every business leader should know about working moms

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Guy Raz, the host and creator of two wildly popular podcasts "How I Built This" and "Wisdom from the Top." Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to act in the service of others. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Guy is a remarkable leader who not only has the most soothing voice you’ll ever hear, but the motivation behind all that he does is something we can all learn from and be inspired by. And it’s this: he wants to serve his listeners and add value to their lives.  I’ll tell ya’ ... I can’t think of a better quality of leadership than that—doing all that you do in service of others.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Bill Harrison, the former Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase. Listen in to hear even more about why it's important to prepare the next leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Have you ever worked for somebody who’s taken you under their wing and believed in you enough to pave the way for you to take his or her job?  Let me tell you, throughout my career, I’ve had the great fortune of this happening to me multiple times.  But here’s the sad thing, I don’t think this is all too common of a story. Too many leaders have a “you work for me” mentality and the last thing they want is for you to take their job. So they actually hold you back. So what do we do about this? Well, we can learn to be the kind of leader who can identify top talent and do whatever is required to help them succeed in their careers, so that they’re prepared to take your job or another another job like it. On this week’s episode, you’re going to learn how to do this from one of the all-time greats. Bill Harrison is an example to follow in how he prepared the next leader of JPMorganChase (Jamie Dimon).

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Dawn Sweeney, former President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Listen in to hear even more about why speaking up when something can be better is a quality of great leaders. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Today’s guest is Dawn Sweeney, the former President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. Steve Jobs used to say of Apple: “Excellence is the price of admission.” What he meant by that was that excellence was standard operating procedure. It’s what was expected. In an environment like this, colleagues push each other to make things better. They push the boundary of what’s possible, and if someone feels like a project or an idea can be better, they speak up! Dawn Sweeney, and the great leaders I know, do this very same thing. They speak up when something can be better. They don’t accept the status quo, but instead have the courage to push for making everything the best it can be. This, my friends, is what it looks like to strive for excellence. And doing things with excellence is the mark of a great company. If you haven't already, sign up for my weekly leadership development plan and get the tips you need to get prepare for a busy week straight in your inbox on Sunday evenings. Go to https://howleaderslead.com/plan and sign up today.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our featured guest. On this episode, we're talking about our interview with Rob Manfred, Commissioner of MLB. Listen in to hear even more about how finding common ground is a quality of every great leader. If you want a simple plan to improve as a leader, you can get one here for free — https://howleaderslead.com/plan

Have you ever been in one of those situations where you have to make a tough call and you know that no matter what you choose, someone won’t be happy? What are you supposed to do in those moments? Well, Rob Manfred is no stranger to this dilemma. Each and every day, he has to manage relationships with the 30 team owners, the players, the fans, and the union. What you’ll hear in this conversion is how Rob finds common ground to keep moving forward. Finding common ground is not always easy, but it’s a skill that I’ve found in so many of the leaders I respect. Baseball fan or not, I know there’s a lot for you to learn about leadership from today’s conversation. If you haven't already, sign up for my weekly leadership development plan and get the tips you need to get prepare for a busy week straight in your inbox on Sunday evenings. Go to https://howleaderslead.com/plan and sign up today.

Welcome back to 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our guests. This week, we're talking about Jason Kelly, Cofounder and CEO of Ginkgo BioWorks. Today my co-host Koula Callahan asks me about learning from companies in other industries, communicating vision to get employee buy-in, and explaining the complexities of Yum! Brands with clear and compelling stories. If you haven't already, sign up for my weekly leadership development plan and get the tips you need to get prepare for a busy week straight in your inbox on Sunday evenings. Go to https://howleaderslead.com/plan and sign up today.

Today’s guest is Jason Kelly, the cofounder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, the largest designer of synthetic DNA in the world. Think back to the last time someone asked you what you did for a living. For as simple of a question this is, it can actually be really hard to answer. The reason is, in the back of your mind you might be thinking “where do I even start?!”  Running a business is complex! But until you learn to simplify all of the complexity and learn to talk about what you do in a simple way, you’ll be limiting the kind of impact you could be making as a leader. And this is something that Jason Kelly has mastered. I mean, tell me a more complex business to have to explain than a synthetic biology platform company. And yet, Jason has learned to simplify the complex. I’m no bioengineering buff but when I hear Jason talk about Ginkgo and what’s possible with the technology they’re pioneering and scaling, he has me leaning in!  So whether you’re leading a billion-dollar brand or a small business, how you communicate as a leader matters. The great leaders I know have learned to simplify the complex.

Today is the first edition of 3 More Questions, an episode series where we continue the conversation that we started last week with our guests. This week, we're talking about Ken Langone, Cofounder of The Home Depot. To co-host the show, I’m bringing in someone from my team so we can dive deeper into my conversation with Ken and learn a little more about leadership. Koula Callahan leads our content and marketing, and today she gets to turn the tables and ask ME three questions based on last week's episode. Let's get started! If you haven't already, sign up for my weekly leadership development plan and get the tips you need to get prepare for a busy week straight in your inbox on Sunday evenings. Go to https://howleaderslead.com/plan/ and sign up today.

Today's guest is really special. He’s a person I love with all my heart and who's been a mentor of mine for several years. He's Ken Langone, the Cofounder of The Home Depot and Chairman of NYU Langone Health.  Now, here's a guy who's had more success than you could ever imagine in almost every way you could think about it. He's the most popular guest host of Squawk Box. He’s sought out on every major issue by the media. He's even been featured on 60 Minutes for his breakthrough thinking at NYU Langone Health. He's an incredible business leader and a renowned philanthropist.  And one thing will be absolutely clear when you listen to this conversation. The reason why he's had so much success is his deep down belief in the power of people. There's no doubt Ken believes that you have to recognize people, recognize talent, believe in them and show up for the people you have the privilege to lead.

Today’s guest is Carol Loomis, Former Senior Editor-at-large at Fortune magazine. There’s so much I admire about how Carol has navigated her career. She’s blazed her own trail and done things no women had ever done before in the journalism field, which has paved the way for women in other industries too. Not only did she create what is known today as the Fortune 500 list, she was an advisor, editor, and friend to Warren Buffet, who she’d talk to almost daily for decades. She even wrote a book about him called “Tap Dancing to Work.” But what stands out to me about how Carol leads is that she’s taken one step at a time. She pushed through barriers and made a name for herself by doing excellent work until she retired from Fortune after working there for 60 years. There’s a lot to learn about her tenacity and drive, and her one step at a time approach.

There's so much to admire about Jon Rahm. He's obviously super talented, absolutely the real deal, and an extraordinary competitor. But I think you'll be surprised to learn that one of his most distinguishing characteristics is his love for the history of the game.   Not only does it help him to appreciate those who’ve come before him, but he uses what he’s learned to give him a competitive edge and help him in the heat of battle.  Knowing your history can be your advantage too. Because here's the thing: the best leaders I know use history to learn from and inspire them about what’s possible.

Today’s guest is Bill Acquavella, one of the most renowned art dealers in the world and Head of Acquavella Galleries. In the art business, reputation is everything. Bill has sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of art and his customers, people like Mick Jagger and Steve Wynn and Henry Ford II, have absolute trust in what they’re buying from him. They’re confident spending money with Bill like they do because of the confidence they have in him. So the question for us is: how do we build up our reputations as leaders where people will trust us in the big moments?  Well, this is an episode chock full of stories from some of Bill’s biggest deals. We can learn to build up trust by hearing how he’s built up his. It’s true for Bill and it’s true for leaders … reputation is everything.