Leadership Articles
Insights, tips and more from David & the world's top leaders.

The Secret to Building a Cult Brand? It Isn’t Marketing.
A closer look at the leaders behind beloved brands like the Savannah Bananas, Liquid Death, and In-N-Out — and how to steal their strategies If it feels harder than ever to make your brand stand out, you’re not wrong. These days, brands are shouting louder, spending more, and crossing every creative line just to snag […]

What to Do When Your Work Friends Start Reporting to You
New manager? Here are four ways to lead with clarity, confidence, and connection You’ve just been promoted, and it’s a huge moment for your career. But it also feels complicated. The people you grabbed lunch with last week are now reporting to you. And your job is to directthe crew, not just meet up […]

Are you holding your business back?
Why your business won’t evolve until you do—and 25 questions to start the process I can’t stop thinking about the story Gui Loureiro told me when he appeared on my podcast last month. At the time, he had been CEO at Walmart Mexico for about a year. The company was performing well. The team was […]

Andy Jassy’s Leadership Playbook: 3 Lessons Every Leader Needs to Know
Here’s how Amazon’s CEO leads at the highest level—and how you can, too You and I both know: leading any team comes with pressure. Now imagine doing it at one of the fastest-moving and most recognized companies in the world, all while following in the footsteps of one of the most visionary founders in business […]

The Complete Mid-Year Reset Guide for Leaders
If priorities are blurry and progress is messy, here’s how to get your team back on track for your 2025 goals Don’t panic, but… This month marks the halfway point of the year. And if you’re like most leaders, you’re probably asking the same question I always did at this point: Are we where we […]

The career edge that’s hiding in your daily habits
Forget charisma! Consistency is what truly sets leaders apart, and these 5 habits can help you shine in any stage of your career. What are you hoping for next in your career? Is it a big opportunity? A stretch assignment? Your first leadership role? A business of your own? Whatever you’re dreaming of, one thing’s […]

Career advice I’d give my 22-year-old self
For new grads (and the leaders hiring them), here’s how to succeed from day one Graduation season is here! Thousands of new professionals are stepping into their first jobs. It’s an exciting time, but it can feel overwhelming, too. When I think back to my own first job as a copywriter at a small ad […]

Stop being so nice (and start leading better)
7 signs your culture is too soft—and how smart leaders create one that’s both kind and clear On the surface, “nice” might sound like a great word to describe your workplace. Nice people. Nice meetings. Nice vibes all around. But if you dig a little deeper, that word starts to lose its shine. Why? Because […]

What the Masters can teach you about mental toughness
Master your mentality with insights from five of the world’s best golfers The Masters tees off this week! I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see the drama that unfolds at the beautiful Augusta National Golf Club over the next few days. Now of course, every player in the field has elite […]