When you think of a successful leader, you might envision someone with a prestigious degree or a background in a specific field. But for David Novak, former CEO of Yum Brands, the key to success wasn’t an Ivy League education or a traditional career path. Instead, it was a mindset of active learning that propelled him from a marketing role to the top executive position of a major corporation.
Active Learning: A Lifelong Habit
Novak’s journey started out far from the boardroom. Growing up in a family that frequently moved around, he lived in 30 different trailer parks in 23 states before high school. This nomadic lifestyle fostered a habit of learning from a wide range of experiences and people. His early years were rich with the lessons of adaptability, open-mindedness, and the value of diverse perspectives.
As he notes, “I was learning how to learn—as much as possible, from as many different people as possible, as fast as possible“. This mindset of active learning became Novak’s key to solving problems and improving teams and brands.
From Marketing to Operations
Despite his lack of formal operations experience, Novak was confident enough to lobby for the position of Chief Operating Officer at Pepsi’s beverage division. He attributes his success in the role to his active learning mindset. His approach? Seeking insights from the ground up.
- He toured bottling plants to understand the root causes of problems.
- He spoke directly with salespeople and warehouse workers to hear their perspectives.
- He asked the right questions and observed, learning from their experiences and insights.
As he puts it, “I asked. I observed. I paid attention to the ideas and the lessons that were offered up“.
Leadership Lessons
As Novak rose through the ranks, he learned important lessons about leadership. He recognized the dangers of losing touch with reality and the importance of maintaining humility. He refined his questioning skills to broaden thinking, expand options, and clarify actions.
For example, during his tenure at Pizza Hut, he asked, “How could we get weekday volumes much closer to weekend volumes?“. This question led to new marketing strategies that significantly boosted sales.
Active Learning: A Foundation for Leadership
Novak’s career is a testament to the power of active learning. He believes that learning with purpose and actively seeking how to make a positive difference can lead to greater possibilities for both individuals and teams.
Whether you’re an executive at a multinational corporation or a local news reporter in North Florida, the lessons from Novak’s journey are clear: stay curious, keep learning, and always be open to new ideas.
Fortune’s commentary pieces reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
