Taking People with You

About the Author

David Novak is the chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc., a global corporation that operates in more than 112 countries and employs 1.4 million people. Novak's extensive career in the food industry includes serving as the president of both KFC and Pizza Hut, as well as holding senior management positions at PepsiCo. His leadership acumen has earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of the world's "30 Best CEOs" by Barron's, one of Fortune's "Top People in Business," and one of the "100 Best-Performing CEOs in the World" by Harvard Business Review. Novak's book, Taking People with You: The Only Way to Make BIG Things Happen, has been a bestseller on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today lists.

Main Idea

The core message of Taking People with You is that leadership and success are intrinsically linked to the ability to bring people along on the journey. Novak emphasizes that achieving big goals requires aligning, motivating, and inspiring people. His approach is not just theoretical; it is rooted in practical strategies that he has developed and refined over his career, particularly during his tenure at Yum! Brands. The book is structured as a step-by-step guide to help leaders set ambitious goals, foster collaboration, exceed expectations, and celebrate successes.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Part One: Get Your Mindset Right
3. Part Two: Have a Plan
4. Part Three: Follow Through to Get Results
5. Conclusion

Introduction

In the introduction, Novak shares a pivotal moment in his career that shaped his views on leadership. While working at PepsiCo, he realized the importance of recognizing and valuing every team member. This experience inspired him to create a leadership culture where everyone feels appreciated and motivated to contribute. Novak underscores that great leaders not only set ambitious goals but also ensure their team is aligned and engaged in achieving those goals.

An Insight-Driven Approach to Leading People and Achieving Big Goals

Novak proposes an insight-driven approach to leadership. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the perspectives, motivations, and beliefs of the people you need to influence. This involves asking three critical questions:

• What's the single biggest thing you can imagine that will grow your business or change your life?
• Who do you need to affect, influence, or take with you to be successful?
• What perceptions, habits, or beliefs of this target audience do you need to build, change, or reinforce to reach your goal?

These questions are designed to help leaders develop a deep understanding of their team and the factors that drive them. This insight is crucial for crafting strategies that resonate and inspire action.