What all great leaders have in common

Former YUM! Brands Chairman & CEO, David Novak, joins 'Influencers with Andy Serwer' to discuss common characteristics among all great leaders

Video Transcript

- What characteristics what traits would you say are essential to being a great leader?

- Well, you know I do this how leaders lead podcast. And I've done it with all kinds of leaders from Evan Spiegel, from-- from snapped, Tony Stewart at DoorDash, to Brian Cornell Target, heads of Starbucks, Adobe, work workday, all these great CEOs.

I think the one trait that they all have in common is they are avid learners. I mean, they are constantly learning, constantly looking for ways to, not only up their own leadership, but also find new ways to take their company to the next level.

So I think being in an avid learner is absolutely a key trait. The other thing is-- is that the best leaders are humble. They're humble enough to know that they can't do it all by themselves.

And you know-- you know, they're confident they're confident in their capability. But they know that nothing big happens by themselves. So they're humble enough to know that and get other people involved.

And I think the-- the-- the third thing that is absolutely essential is they know that talent is everything. You know, you have to have great people. And so they try to create a work environment and a culture where great people want to participate, want to lead they know they're valued, and that they count.

And you know, the great leaders don't delegate culture. And they take absolute there-- and they take charge of culture because they know that that's going to ultimately be the big driver.