Yum! Brands Co-Founder David Novak shares the secret weapon for every leader

Corporate Competitor Podcast

Ep. 213: The parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell thrives on a leadership philosophy rooted in recognition—a principle David Novak first learned from his dad while playing Little League.

n this episode, you’ll get a masterclass in:

• The importance of heartfelt, consistent recognition and how simple gestures can significantly boost employee morale and performance.
• How David’s “aha moment” at Pepsi highlighted the critical need to acknowledge contributions and ensure every team member feels valued.
• The strategies David used to create cohesion across global brands while celebrating their unique identities.

Our downloadable BONUS RESOURCE for this episode is a PDF with Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights.

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Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness.

Special thanks to Jack Martha and Brian Schnorr for making this episode possible.