#249: Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing – Performance is everyone’s job episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 24, 2025 · 55 MIN

#249: Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing – Performance is everyone’s job

from How Leaders Lead with David Novak · host David Novak

You can hire great people and set bold goals … yet still fall short. Why? Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, knows the answer. And it has less to do with talent, and more to do with something most leaders overlook. This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a high-performance team—and why clarity might be your most powerful tool. You’ll also learn: Why exclusivity was hurting the brand—and what fixed it The mindset you need if you want long-term partnerships  How to make split-second decisions (with wisdom straight from the pit!) What most leaders miss about gathering real input Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

You can hire great people and set bold goals … yet still fall short. Why? Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, knows the answer. And it has less to do with talent, and more to do with something most leaders overlook. This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a high-performance team—and why clarity might be your most powerful tool. You’ll also learn: Why exclusivity was hurting the brand—and what fixed it The mindset you need if you want long-term partnerships  How to make split-second decisions (with wisdom straight from the pit!) What most leaders miss about gathering real input Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.

NOW PLAYING

#249: Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing – Performance is everyone’s job

0:00 55:40

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of How Leaders Lead with David Novak?

This episode is 55 minutes long.

When was this How Leaders Lead with David Novak episode published?

This episode was published on July 24, 2025.

What is this episode about?

You can hire great people and set bold goals … yet still fall short. Why? Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, knows the answer. And it has less to do with talent, and more to do with something most leaders overlook. This episode pulls back the...

Can I download this How Leaders Lead with David Novak episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!