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Ep. 573 - WEBTOON Global CFO and COO David Lee - Why Most Leaders Play Small… and How to Escape
Description
What if the biggest thing holding your company back… is how you’re thinking about what’s possible?
In this episode, David J. Lee, Global CFO and COO of WEBTOON, breaks down a radically different way to approach growth, leadership, and innovation. From scaling a global storytelling platform with 155 million users to partnering with visionary founders, David shares how elite operators think beyond “high probability outcomes” and instead build toward what must be true to achieve breakthrough success.
This conversation dives into the realities of being a COO at scale, navigating public company pressure, leading global teams, and building trust with mission-driven founders.
If you’re tired of incremental thinking and want to unlock bold, category-defining growth, don’t wait. The longer you operate within “safe” assumptions, the more opportunity you lose. Hit play now for a rare, high-level perspective most leaders never access.
Sponsored by
Genius Network - An exclusive community for highly successful entrepreneurs, connecting you with top-tier leaders, strategic insights, and powerful relationships to help you grow your business faster and smarter.
Learn more: https://www.geniusnetwork.com/
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – The mental trap that keeps leaders stuck in “safe” growth instead of breakthroughs
[02:32] – Inside WEBTOON: 155M users, 24M creators, and a global storytelling revolution
[05:47] – Why the best operators don’t specialize, and the real cost of being a generalist
[08:49] – The one question great leaders obsess over that most companies ignore
[11:28] – The brutal reality of going public, and why it forces true discipline
[15:41] – What separates high-integrity founders from the rest, and how it shows up daily
[19:01] – When a COO should stay… and when it’s time to walk away
[23:17] – How elite leaders stay calm in chaos, even in high-stakes environments
[26:23] – The hidden danger of “oversteering” and why great leaders step back
[33:14] – The “what must be true” framework used by NASA and top innovators
About the Guest
David J. Lee is the Global CFO and COO of WEBTOON, a global storytelling platform connecting millions of creators with over 150 million users worldwide. He has led major transformations across companies like Zynga, Impossible Foods, and Best Buy, bringing a unique blend of strategy, operations, and innovation to high-growth environments. Known for partnering with visionary founders, David specializes in scaling companies that are redefining entire industries.
Mentioned Resources
About the Co-Host
Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helpe