The brutal truth about why most leaders fail 💀
20 powerful lessons for growth and impact from How Leaders Learn by David Novak
For most entrepreneurs, leadership isn’t the first thing on their minds. In the early days, it’s all about hustling, closing deals, and keeping the business alive. But the moment you hire your first employee, everything changes — you’re not just a founder anymore, you’re a leader. That’s why I picked How Leaders Learn by David Novak with Lari Bishop for this week’s book club.
Daniel’s verdict ✅
So, why do most leaders fail? Novak’s answer is simple: they stop learning. They rely on what worked in the past, resist change, and ignore the need to evolve.
Leadership isn’t about power, charisma, or making every decision yourself. It’s about recognising patterns, adapting fast, and creating an environment where your team grows with you. The best leaders are the ones asking the right questions and learning faster than everyone else.
The core idea? Leadership is a discipline of continuous learning and improvement. The ones who fail are the ones who stop evolving.
To get you started, I’ve pulled 20 golden takeaways from the book — practical lessons you can use right now. Read them, apply them, and lead better. 👇🏻
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Learn from others
1️⃣ Study successful leaders
Learn from those who’ve done it before. Read their stories, listen to their insights, and analyse their decision-making. Millennial Masters is a great start! 😉
2️⃣ Build a diverse learning network
Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking. Seek mentors, coaches, and peers from different backgrounds.
3️⃣ Turn feedback into fuel
Actively seek constructive criticism. Instead of reacting defensively, ask “What can I improve?” and implement the lessons.
4️⃣ Teach what you learn
Explaining a concept to others forces you to refine your understanding. Start mentoring someone today.
5️⃣ Recognise patterns of success
Look for repeatable behaviours and decisions that lead to great outcomes. Apply them in your own leadership.
Learn by adapting and innovating
6️⃣ Challenge the status quo
Ask, “What if we did this differently?” Great leaders question conventional wisdom and seek better solutions.
7️⃣ Experiment and take small risks
Test ideas in low-risk environments before committing fully. Every mistake is a lesson, not a setback.
8️⃣ Turn problems into opportunities
When faced with obstacles, ask: “What can I learn from this?” Growth often comes from unexpected challenges.
9️⃣ Simplify decision-making
Overthinking slows progress. Automate small decisions and focus energy on high-impact choices.
🔟 Make learning a habit
Commit to reading, listening to podcasts, and reflecting on experiences. Just 15 minutes a day compounds into long-term growth.
Learn by taking action
1️⃣1️⃣ Apply knowledge immediately
Knowledge without execution is wasted. When you learn something new, act on it fast.
1️⃣2️⃣ Trust your instincts
Experience shapes intuition. If something feels right (or wrong), investigate why and act accordingly.
1️⃣3️⃣ Fail forward
Don’t just fail, fail better. After every setback, ask: “What worked? What didn’t? What’s next?”
1️⃣4️⃣ Stay flexible in uncertain times
When things don’t go as planned, adjust instead of freezing. Pivot quickly and focus on what’s within your control.
Learn to lead effectively
1️⃣5️⃣ Empower others to lead
Leadership isn’t about controlling everything. Give ownership, delegate smartly, and let your team thrive.
1️⃣6️⃣ Give context, not just tasks
People perform better when they understand why their work matters, not just what to do.
1️⃣7️⃣ Celebrate wins, big and small
Reinforce success by recognising and rewarding progress. Momentum builds motivation.
1️⃣8️⃣ Ask better questions
Instead of “Can we do this?”, ask “How might we do this better?” This sparks creative problem-solving.
Learn to stay ahead
1️⃣9️⃣ Stay curious, not complacent
Always ask “What’s next?” and stay ahead of trends. The best leaders never stop learning.
2️⃣0️⃣ Make learning your legacy
Pass on knowledge, mentor others, and build a culture where learning fuels success.
👤 About the authors
David Novak is the co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, one of the world’s largest restaurant companies, overseeing KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. A seasoned leader, he built a culture of recognition and growth, driving Yum! Brands to global success. Novak is also a bestselling author, leadership coach, and founder of David Novak Leadership, where he helps leaders develop the skills to build strong, high-performing teams.
Lari Bishop is a writer and leadership development expert who collaborates with industry leaders to translate their insights into actionable strategies.
It’s true. And the higher one gets up the corporate ladder, the easier it is to think you’ve got it all figured out. Thanks for this write-up of takeaways. One I use and teach all the time is applying new learning ASAP and looking for opportunities to teach what you learn. Until you can teach it, you don’t really know it!