Podcast Summary: How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Episode: 3 More Questions (Tim Schurrer) with David Novak and Koula Callahan

Date: February 26, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode of “How Leaders Lead” features a reflective discussion between host David Novak and co-host Koula Callahan. They dive deeper into the recent interview with Tim Schurrer (CEO of David Novak Leadership) by answering "Three More Questions" about Tim’s influence, innovations (including a new leadership app), and the power of redefining success. The conversation is candid, practical, and peppered with anecdotes, all in the signature upbeat and collegial tone of the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why David Hired Tim Schurrer

[00:58 – 04:46]

• Strategic Timing & Credibility

  • David discovered Tim after his tenure at StoryBrand (as COO) and the release of his book The Secret Society of Success.
  • Impressed by Tim’s book, Novak initially hired him for freelance work to help elevate the “How Leaders Lead” podcast.

• Improvements to the Podcast

  • Tim’s feedback led to structuring episodes with clear upfront value: “Tell people what they're going to learn right up front.”
  • Made it action-oriented by giving listeners something they could apply every week.

• Tim’s Personal Qualities

  • Strong sense of urgency and initiative: “He does stuff that you don’t ask him to do.” [03:52]
  • Embodies positive energy and alignment with the mission: “You’ll never, ever meet a guy who has a bigger smile on his face the majority of the time than Tim Schurrer.” [02:55]
  • Deeply “other directed,” investing in others' success.

• Team Culture Impact

  • Koula echoes that Tim’s contagious energy and strategic vision help everyone see how their work contributes to the mission [04:06].

Notable Quotes

• "He always gives me a big surprise in the work that he does." — David Novak [03:45]
• “Why work with someone that makes it a pain in the ass? And the great thing about Tim is whenever I have a Zoom conversation with him or we meet up at the office, can’t wait to see the guy.” — David Novak [03:57]

2. The Vision Behind the How Leaders Lead App

[04:52 – 10:18]

• Disrupting Leadership Development

  • Identified the core problem through customer feedback: “People don’t have the time to develop themselves.” [05:26]
  • The new app delivers “big insights, small sound bites—in under two minutes,” addressing the time barrier for aspiring leaders.

• Daily Leadership Devotional

  • Inspired by daily habits (e.g., Bible devotionals), the app offers daily two-minute clips from top leaders interviewed on the show.

• Curated Playlists & Industry Inspiration

  • Users can select specific leadership topics (ex: communication, hiring) and access focused playlists.
  • Drew inspiration from Spotify's curated playlists: “We’re practicing what we preach... we learned from Spotify.” [09:25]

• Amplifying Core Content

  • The app is intended not to detract from the podcast, but to bring in a wider audience through quick, actionable insights.

• Building Habits for Growth

  • Referenced research: “If people do something three times, just three times in a row, you’ve got a habit that can get them tuning in.” [08:19]

Notable Quotes

• “I don’t care if people get a leadership insight in two minutes or if it takes them 60 minutes. The main thing is, is they get insights that they can use every single day. And that’s what we’re all about.” — David Novak [08:39]
• “If you want to get better at communication... you can go into the app and listen to a playlist of 15 to 20 under two-minute clips on that specific topic. So you’re getting all of this wisdom from the best leaders in the world on specific topics to help you grow.” — Koula Callahan [08:50]

3. Redefining Success: “Success is in the Assist”

[10:18 – 13:03]

• Themes from Tim’s Book

  • The Secret Society of Success encourages redefining success as “the assist”—helping others win.

• Stories from David’s Career

  • Novak shares examples of mentors who helped him “win” and shaped his leadership style:
    • Tom James: Marketing expertise and concise communication [11:09].
    • Howard Davis: Taught him toughness and decisiveness [11:24].
    • Steve Reinemann: Exemplified organizational integrity [11:37].
    • Roger Enrico: Challenged incremental thinking ("tyranny of incrementalism") [11:46].
    • Craig Weatherup: Stressed frontline orientation and deep business knowledge [12:00].

• Impact

  • Each mentor provided pivotal lessons, reinforcing the value of “the assist” in both receiving and giving support as a leader.

Notable Quotes

• “One of the great blessings I have in my life is I have only worked for great people, and I’ve had every one of them teach me something that I would not have learned if I didn’t have the opportunity to work for them.” — David Novak [10:41]
• “You can be really great with people, but you got to still make the hard calls.” — David Novak [11:35]

Memorable Moments

• Chemistry and Humor:

  • Koula’s playful jab: “Well, that’s really great, David. You know, I’m glad somebody taught you something over the course of your career.” [13:03]
  • Novak responds with humor and appreciation for Koula’s “truth teller” role [13:09].

• Practical Wisdom Throughout:

  • Emphasis on actionable insights, positive team culture, and learning from both team members and industry best practices.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Why Hire Tim Schurrer? — [00:58 – 04:46]
• Vision & Power of How Leaders Lead App — [04:52 – 10:18]
• “Success is in the Assist” & Mentor Stories — [10:18 – 13:03]

Conclusion

This episode delivers a masterclass in purposeful leadership, practical innovation, and the transformative power of both mentorship and servant leadership. Whether discussing new tools for growth or reflecting on lifelong lessons, David Novak and Koula Callahan offer actionable insights and contagious positivity, making the world of leadership development feel welcoming, strategic, and deeply rewarding.