#264: Bracken Darrell, CEO of VF Corporation – Good design can make anything better
Bracken Darrell led remarkable turnarounds at both Old Spice and Logitech. Now he’s the CEO of VF Corporation, where he’s working to revitalize iconic brands like The North Face, Timberland, Vans, and more.
Hit play on this episode and take a look at his playbook. It’s all about constantly growing and designing things to be better – whether it’s a product, a team, or his own understanding of quantum mechanics (no, really).
You’ll also learn:
The weird way he keeps a fresh outlook on his job
The power of design, even outside of product development
Why you’re an artist whether you realize it or not (and why that matters)
One thing every great brand has in common
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.
--------
1:03:32
--------
1:03:32
#263: Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder and CEO of Bumble – Your mission is your mobilizer
She flipped the script on modern dating and built a billion dollar global brand.
But Whitney Wolfe Herd’s path to success hasn’t been easy. After co-founding Tinder and walking away under difficult circumstances, she founded Bumble, a dating platform where women make the first move.
In this refreshingly honest conversation, she opens up about her missteps and lessons, how she’s redefined success, and why an obsessive focus on a bigger mission has made all the difference in her company culture.
She also shares:
The near-spiritual moment that sparked Bumble’s “women make the first move” philosophy
What most people totally miss about marketing
Candid advice for women navigating toxic work situations or relationships
How AI might reshape not just dating, but our understanding of compatibility
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.
--------
1:11:03
--------
1:11:03
#262: Lew Frankfort, Chairman Emeritus and former CEO of Coach – Combine magic and logic
He built Coach from a small leather goods brand into a $5 billion global fashion powerhouse.
But Lew Frankfort’s rise to the top isn’t what you’d expect.
He started out in public service and even got passed over for a promotion for being “too principled.” But when he came to Coach, he brought relentless drive, strong investigative instincts, and a unique leadership philosophy he calls “Magic + Logic.”
He’s got wisdom to help any leader who wants to build something that lasts – with both quality execution and inspired creativity.
In this episode, he shares:
What a guidance counselor told him in 9th grade that almost changed everything
What to do when you spot a gap in the marketplace
One unusual trait to develop if you want to excel at product development and marketing
A helpful analogy to help you manage conflict
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.
--------
1:01:29
--------
1:01:29
#261: Nathan Smith, Walker Cup Captain – Know what your people need to excel
He’s one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in the game – a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion and four-time Masters competitor. Just last month, he captained the 2025 Walker Cup team to victory over Great Britain and Ireland.
Nathan Smith knows how to get the most out of himself and his team, especially when the pressure is on and the stakes are high.
In this episode, he shares the leadership mentality and coaching habits that have helped him build trust, navigate adversity, and bring out the best in his team. If you lead a team or coach others, don’t miss this one!
You’ll also learn:
How to set your people up for success
The weird reason he doesn’t regret missing the cut by one stroke at the Masters
Tips for building camaraderie, even when people aren’t in the same place
What it was like playing Augusta with Arnold Palmer
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.
--------
59:46
--------
59:46
#260: Nick Green, Cofounder and CEO of Thrive Market – The business model matters
At age 25, he walked away from a successful seven-figure business, and took a big swing on a risky idea.
Thrive Market Cofounder and CEO Nick Green knew he wanted to make healthy food more accessible. But at a time when everyone was chasing speed and scale, he made a big bet on the membership model. 1.7 million members later, it’s safe to say it worked.
In this episode, he shares:
His early career failures and what they taught him
The power of the right business model
The weird way he uses ChatGPT
Why you should take big swings
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.
How Leaders Lead gives you a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the world’s most iconic leaders across business, sports, and entertainment. Hosted by David Novak, Co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, this podcast pulls back the curtain on how top CEOs, founders, and game-changers make things happen. When you tune in, you’ll learn from legends like Tom Brady, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Dimon, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Indra Nooyi, Stanley Druckenmiller, and more.
Other guests include:
CEO of Starbucks
CEO of Target
Co-founder of Home Depot
and many others...
David’s unique perspective and thought-provoking questions distill the wisdom of these leaders into actionable insights you can use to elevate your own leadership game. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or already leading teams, this show helps you build the confidence you need to lead well.
Österreich