How Leaders Learn

Learning is the mindset, the differentiating skill, and the approach to life and the world that defines the most successful leaders.

When you put learning at the center of everything you do, you’ll grow your career, boost your leadership skills, enrich your relationships, and increase your joy and fulfillment in life. But even for people who are naturally curious and interested in solving problems, being an effective learner – one who can turn learning into action – takes insight and practice.

This collection of wisdom and practical habits from some of the most successful leaders in the world – CEOs from many industries, military and political leaders, sports greats, subject matter experts, and coaches – is your active-learning manual. Chapter by chapter, they’ll share how they’ve climbed to the highest levels in their respective fields. With infectious enthusiasm and optimism, David Novak highlights these leaders and tells his own incredible story. A trailer park kid who lived in twenty-three states before high school, Novak rapidly ascended the ranks at PepsiCo to become cofounder and CEO of one of the largest corporations in the world, the global restaurant icon Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger Grill). And he credits active learning with getting him there.

Through stories of wins and losses, missteps and miracle saves, challenges tackled, and problems solved, Novak shows you all the ways you can become an active learner. A leadership devotional for the modern age, How Leaders Learn will appeal to any reader looking to be inspired by great leaders and for practical advice with which to emulate their success in work and life.

Author Biography

David Novak is the cofounder and former Chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, one of the world’s largest restaurant companies, with over 45,000 restaurants in more than 135 countries employing 1.5 million people. He is also the founder of David Novak Leadership, a leadership development organisation and platform. He has been recognised as CEO of the Year by Chief Executive magazine, one of the world’s 30 Best CEOs by Barron’s, and one of the 100 Best-Performing CEOs in the World by Harvard Business Review. During his tenure as CEO, Yum! Brands doubled in size, grew market capitalisation by eight times, and established itself as a global powerhouse.

In addition, Novak hosts the top-ranked podcast, How Leaders Lead, where he interviews some of the most high-profile leaders in business, sports, healthcare, and government. He is the author of four leadership and personal development books, including the New York Times bestseller Taking People with You. He is a popular contributor to media outlets and podcasts, including CNBC, NPR, and Investor’s Business Daily. He has been featured in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Fortune, Quartz, and many other publications.