The Global Leadership Podcast

When a team feels frustrated, disconnected or unsure where to focus, the problem may not be effort or talent—it may be clarity. In this episode, Whitney Putnam talks with Global Leadership Network President and CEO David Ashcraft about a leader's responsibility to create direction people can understand, remember and act on. David explains why leaders often need to repeat the vision more than they think, why collaboration and candor can sharpen direction, and how unclear communication from senior leaders can unintentionally send teams running in the wrong direction. He also shares a simple practice his teams use to distinguish between processing an idea and actually making a decision. Whether you are setting organizational strategy or leading a team through a new initiative, this conversation offers practical ways to reduce unnecessary confusion and make the direction simple enough for people to follow.

If you want people to tell you what they really think, simply asking for feedback isn't enough—you have to earn their trust. In this episode, TIAA President and CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett shares practical ways leaders can get closer to their people, uncover perspectives they might otherwise miss, and create a culture where honest feedback and high expectations can coexist. Thasunda explains why leaders need to "get proximate," how she uses small-group conversations to hear directly from employees throughout the organization, and why asking for the "counter-narrative" can improve decision-making. She also explores how vulnerability creates permission for others to bring more of themselves to work, why job titles shouldn't limit someone's contribution, and how leaders can guide people through the uncertainty created by AI. Along the way, she makes the case that if leaders want excellence, they first have to earn the right to demand it.

Most leaders say people matter—but that commitment gets tested when growth, performance, accountability, and opportunity are on the line. In this episode, Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen cofounder and CEO Julio Garcia joins David Ashcraft to explore what people-first leadership looks like in practice. Julio shares how his own understanding of leadership shifted from status and entitlement toward responsibility and service, and how that change now shapes Ambriza's culture. He explains why leaders need to know the people behind the roles, how the company develops employees toward greater responsibility and even ownership, and why caring for people still requires clear standards. The conversation also examines a harder question: What happens when you invest deeply in someone—and that growth eventually takes them somewhere else? Julio offers a practical picture of leadership that measures success not only by organizational growth, but by what becomes possible for the people you lead.

Strong leaders do more than delegate responsibility—they develop people who can eventually take their work farther than the leader could alone. In this episode, David Ashcraft shares how he learned to build teams by intentionally investing in people, establishing trust, and giving them room to become experts in their own areas. David explains why development requires more than hiring talented people and handing them responsibility. Leaders need to stay closely engaged early, create shared learning experiences, communicate expectations, and be willing to course-correct when necessary. He also challenges leaders to examine their own role when someone on the team is struggling. The goal is not to remain the most capable person in every area. It is to build people who grow in expertise, ownership, and confidence—and strengthen the organization in ways the leader could never accomplish alone.

Good decisions depend on more than having the most information—they require knowing when to trust experience, whose judgment matters most, and how to keep hierarchy from getting in the way. In this episode, Andy Stanley draws from his latest book, What Great Leaders Do, which identifies seven practices of effective leadership. This conversation goes deeper on two: trusting your leadership intuition and resisting the "evolution of a court" around influential leaders. Andy explains why intuition is often acquired knowledge leaders cannot immediately articulate, how to draw that judgment out of the right people on your team, and why positional authority should not determine whose voice carries the most weight. He also explores the safeguards leaders need as their influence grows and why finishing well requires choosing enduring values over immediate pressures. The conversation was conducted by Life.Church founding pastor Craig Groeschel in front of a live audience at the 2026 Global Leadership Summit.

Organizations can have vision, resources, and opportunity—and still be held back because they do not have enough leaders ready to take responsibility. In this episode, David Ashcraft explains why leadership development works best when it becomes part of an organization's culture rather than another class, program, or pipeline. David outlines the practices that help create an environment where people continually grow as leaders: intentionality, consistent development rhythms, shared experiences, and time. He also explains the power of 'unconscious competence'—how an idea can become so embedded in a culture that people begin developing in that direction almost without realizing it. Whether you lead a large staff, a small team, or a volunteer-driven organization, the conversation offers a practical challenge: develop the people already around you so your organization is prepared when new opportunities arrive.

Leaders communicate constantly, but not everything they say is remembered, internalized, or acted on. In this episode, David Ashcraft talks with Emma Kuhl Pitts, CEO of PullSpark and, about how leaders can create messages and experiences that stay with people. Emma shares why attention is not the same as impact, how memory shapes influence, and why leaders should ask, "What do I want people to believe?" before asking, "What do I want people to do?" PullSpark is also the official creative partner of the Global Leadership Summit, and this conversation gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Emma and her team help shape creative moments at the Summit, from openers and story videos to the details that help leaders engage more deeply. For pastors, executives, communicators, and team leaders, this conversation offers a practical framework for creating moments people do not just consume, but remember.

Some of the most consequential leadership in an organization happens far from the stage. Lori Hermann has helped lead the Global Leadership Summit team for 14 years, drawing on more than three decades of experience creating events and experiences that serve leaders around the world. In this conversation with David Ashcraft, Lori explains how she learned to recognize her influence even though she did not fit the image of an outspoken, visionary leader. She also offers a practical look at the leadership behind the Summit: assembling people with complementary strengths, developing a shared standard of excellence, encouraging honest collaboration and finding the courage to speak up when the work begins to drift. Lori's approach demonstrates that excellence is not the same as perfection. It grows through continual learning, thoughtful preparation and leaders who care enough about the people they serve to ask difficult questions and keep improving.

When plans change, leaders still need to provide clarity, steady themselves internally, and help their teams keep moving forward. In this Q2 "Best Of" episode, Whitney Putnam and Eric Case revisit four leadership moments from recent conversations with Craig Groeschel, David Ashcraft, Chris McChesney, and Edgar Sandoval. Together, these clips explore what leaders can do when strategy meets reality: stay flexible when plans shift, avoid comparison, define success by the right measures, create visible progress for their teams, and communicate with steadiness during pressure-filled seasons. This episode is a practical look at the internal and external work of leadership. Whether you are navigating organizational change, team fatigue, personal self-doubt, or a season that feels unpredictable, these four lessons will help you lead with greater clarity, humility, and purpose.

Productive teams do not move faster because leaders push harder; they move faster because the goal is clear. In this episode, Whitney Putnam talks with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft about productivity from a team leadership perspective—not as a system of hacks, but as a question of clarity, initiative, accountability, and trust. David shares why he looks for initiative in team members, how clear guardrails help people move with confidence, and why leaders often stay busy with the wrong things while avoiding the work that matters most. The conversation also explores how accountability rhythms, like the 12-week year, can help leaders and teams stay focused on what they said they would do. For leaders who feel busy but not always effective, this episode offers a practical way to rethink productivity as a leadership responsibility.

Leaders are constantly presented with opportunities, expectations, and decisions—but not every open door is an assignment. In this episode of the Global Leadership Podcast, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft talks with Priscilla Shirer about how leaders discern what is truly theirs to carry. Priscilla shares practical wisdom on calling, wise counsel, humility, accountability, and learning to say yes or no from a place of clarity rather than fear or guilt. She also reflects on how leaders can protect their families, carry public attention lightly, and create "green space" for rest, responsiveness, and deeper awareness of God's work. For leaders navigating full calendars, growing influence, or the pressure to keep saying yes, this conversation offers a grounded reminder: faithful leadership requires both courage and discernment.

Many leaders are trying to solve burnout with more inspiration, when their teams may actually need clearer progress. In this episode, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft talks with Chris McChesney, author of The 4 Disciplines of Execution, about the difference between employee satisfaction and true engagement. Chris explains why people can have what looks like an ideal job and still feel disconnected from the work, while others can serve in demanding environments and remain deeply motivated. The difference often comes down to progress and purpose. Through practical examples from manufacturing, creative work, ministry and leadership, Chris helps leaders understand how to create a "winnable, high-stakes game" for their teams. This conversation will help leaders translate big vision into visible wins, address burnout with greater clarity and give their people something meaningful to move toward.

Communication can make or break trust on a team, especially when the conversation gets tense. In this episode, Whitney Putnam and GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft talk about one of the most common leadership challenges: how to communicate with clarity, candor and care when the stakes are high. They unpack a real moment from a recent GLN all-staff meeting, where a public challenge created tension, required follow-up and ultimately helped sharpen strategy. Whitney and David explore why leaders often think they are being clear when others are hearing something different, how trust makes hard conversations possible, and why "keeping short accounts" can prevent tension from becoming toxic. This conversation gives leaders a practical look at how honest communication, handled with humility and follow-through, can strengthen both the work and the relationship.

Every leader eventually faces a moment when the plan stops working. A strategy fails, a team dynamic breaks down, growth creates new complexity, or an unexpected circumstance forces a change in direction. In this episode, David Ashcraft talks with Craig Groeschel, founder and senior pastor of Life.Church, about how leaders can respond when leadership does not go as planned. Craig reflects on failed ideas, organizational pivots, team conflict, and the ongoing discipline of letting go as leadership expands. He also shares how humility, preparation, prayerfulness, candor and trust have shaped the way he leads through uncertainty. For leaders navigating disruption—whether external circumstances or internal challenges—this conversation offers a grounded reminder: the mission matters more than the method, and growth often requires the courage to release what you can no longer carry.

Every leader eventually encounters disruption—moments that challenge assumptions, redirect plans, and test resilience. In this episode, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft talks with Edgar Sandoval, President and CEO of World Vision, about navigating what David calls "leadership hijacks": unexpected events that reshape both leadership and life. Edgar shares his journey from immigrating to the United States as a teenager with little money and no English skills, to leading one of the world's largest Christian humanitarian organizations. Along the way, he reflects on lessons learned through personal hardship, raising children with special needs, leaving a successful corporate career at Procter & Gamble, and leading World Vision through COVID and global uncertainty. This conversation explores how leaders can remain grounded during disruption, communicate hope without ignoring reality, and create healthy organizational cultures that help people thrive even in difficult seasons.

Leadership doesn't usually derail all at once—it gets hijacked slowly by subtle internal forces like comparison, self-doubt, and misplaced definitions of success. In this episode, Whitney Putnam sits down with David Ashcraft to unpack the internal and external "hijacks" that pull leaders off course. They explore how even confident leaders can fall into comparison traps, how self-doubt often disguises itself in different ways, and why defining success based on others' metrics leads to frustration. This conversation brings leaders back to what matters most: clarifying personal priorities, choosing the right voices to listen to, and aligning success with purpose rather than perception. If you've ever questioned your place, your progress, or your impact, this episode offers a grounded way to refocus and move forward with clarity and intention.

Leadership is often formed in the middle—when progress is slow, challenges persist, and outcomes are unclear. This episode highlights key moments from recent conversations to help you stay grounded in those seasons. You'll hear insights on perseverance from Walker Hayes, practical wisdom on resilience from David Ashcraft, and a timely reminder from John Maxwell about embracing the season you're in. Whitney and Eric also share personal leadership challenges and what helped them keep going. If you're facing pressure, uncertainty, or slow progress, this episode will help you focus on what you can control—and continue leading with purpose where you are.

Every organization has a culture—but not every leader is shaping it intentionally. In this episode, Jenni Catron explains why culture is one of the most important (and often overlooked) responsibilities of leadership. In this conversation with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft, Jenni offers a practical definition of culture, along with clear ways to translate values into everyday behaviors and reinforce them through consistent rhythms. Jenni also outlines what it actually takes to change culture—where to start, how long it takes, and why many efforts stall. Along the way, she highlights the subtle signs of an unhealthy culture and the role leaders play in either reinforcing or correcting them. If you're responsible for a team, this conversation will help you take a more intentional, long-term approach to building a culture where people and performance can thrive.

Strategy can feel intimidating. Maybe it brings up pressure to get it right. Maybe it feels restrictive. Or maybe it's something you've been avoiding because you're not quite sure where to start. In this episode, Whitney Putnam sits down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft to simplify strategy and make it practical. Together, they unpack why strategy matters at every level of leadership—and why waiting for perfect clarity might be the very thing holding you back. If you've ever felt stuck trying to "figure it all out" before taking a step forward, this conversation will help you move.

Leadership isn't just about building something successful; it's about building something meaningful, aligning what you believe with how you lead and using what you've been given to make a difference. Today's guest is someone who has spent years helping leaders do exactly that. Justin Forman is a strategist and leader working at the intersection of faith, entrepreneurship. He's the cofounder and president of Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor: global movements helping more than 1 million leaders integrate faith and how they lead and build businesses. Justin brings people together—entrepreneurs investors, and leaders—to move from good intentions to lasting impact. GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft recently sat down with Justin to talk about how faith, media and entrepreneurship can create meaningful change and what it looks like to build something that truly matters overtime.

Dr. Henry Cloud is a bestselling author, psychologist, and leadership expert whose work on boundaries, relationships, and emotional health has shaped leaders around the world. If you are familiar with Henry, you know that he doesn't just diagnose problems—he helps leaders understand what growth actually looks like, and how we can take responsibility for it in real life. Our President and CEO, David Ashcraft, recently sat down with Dr. Cloud for a conversation about his upcoming book Your Desired Future. This book is basically a masterclass in how to lead—yourself and other people and is exactly what we've come to expect from Henry: deep psychological insight with super practical application. Whether you are just getting started in your leadership journey, or you've been at it for a while now, this conversation is an absolute game-changer, and we are so glad we can bring it to you today.

Today we're talking with GLN president and CEO David Ashcraft about resilience. Honestly, sometimes I love the word, "resilience." However, sometimes I kind of hate it: usually when I'm in the middle of a really challenging time that I just wish would end. This conversation will help you think about why resilience is necessary and the importance of celebrating small wins. With the right inputs, we can be resilient leaders.

In this episode, David Ashcraft sits down to do a live webinar with Walker Hayes, the singer and songwriter behind hits like "Fancy Like" and "Stetson", to talk about the faith and grit that it takes to create over the long-term, and how an attitude of gratefulness changes your perspective on just about everything.

Whether it's ideating from nothing, feeling pressure to be original or wondering if creativity is something you either have or you don't, most of us struggle with creativity at some level. However, for today's guest, to be creative is to be human. Author, speaker and "Creativity Explorer" Fredrik Heron has spent decades helping leaders understand that creativity isn't about talent or personality: it's about practice, environment and perspective. GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft sat down with Fredrik to talk about his new book The World of Creativity and together they unpack what it really means to lead creatively—even when the ideas don't come easily.

When the word, "innovation" gets mentioned, there tends to be two broad reactions: some people love pioneering and creating new things. However, a lot of people immediately think, "I am not creative; innovation is something that comes easily to other people and not me." If you find yourself in that latter group, today's interview with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft will hopefully dispel those thoughts and show how innovation doesn't mean creating something out of nothing. If you're ready to discover how to give yourself space for innovation, give this episode a listen.

Have you ever wished you could sit down with someone who has truly mastered their craft? Michael Jordan on winning; Mozart on music; Leonardo Da Vinci on creativity. Not just to review their highlight reels but to unpack all the lessons they learned across their lives? Well, that's what today's conversation feels like because today we get to listen to John C Maxwell talk about leadership. John Maxwell is a world-renowned leadership expert and best-selling author who has trained countless leaders across industries and across the globe. It's no exaggeration to say that he has helped define the shape of modern leadership. John's life is an example of what can happen when someone stays curious, humble and committed to growth for decades, and there also something truly about getting to learn from someone who has run their race well and stayed faithful to growth over the long haul. John was honored as a GLN Legacy Leader at the 2025 global leadership Summit, and he sat down with our president and CEO, David…

Today's episode is all about purpose and calling. As a leader who is rolling into a new year, you might be thinking about what's next. This conversation with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft will encourage you with the unique ways you've been called to lead and center you by reminding you what it's all about.

As 2025 wraps up and 2026 gets started, we thought we'd take a look back on all the great conversations we've had over the past year and pick a few of our favorites to share with you. Whitney and Content Producer Eric Case talk through their reactions to episodes with guests Marcus Buckingham, Joni Eareckson Tada, David Ashcraft and Gabe Salguero.

The end of the year is a natural time to look back and take stock on what we've done and how far we've come. In honor of that, GLN VP of Marketing and Communication Whitney Putnam sat down with President and CEO David Ashcraft to get his thoughts on reflection and celebration.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see the people around you—your teammates, your friends, your spouse, your children—absolutely thriving? Today's guest is Bradley Rapier. Bradley is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated choreographer with over three decades of experience in dance, production and leading teams and talent from Hollywood to Broadway. Whether dance and choreography is your thing or not, what Bradley teaches in this conversation with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft is what happens when people feel engaged and connected, and how we as leaders can facilitate that engagement. So, whether you're leading your teenage children, a creative group, or you're simply part of a group of friends, when people deeply feel that they are a part of something, everything changes: productivity, creativity and well-being soar. Bradley calls it, "stepping into the Circle," and everyone is invited.

When the topic of rest comes up, most of us fall into one of two camps. Some of us welcome the conversation and immediately begin to think about when we get to ease off the gas pedal and relax a little. Others, however, just as quickly start to experience frustration and maybe even anxiety. Maybe you struggle to unplug and take some time for yourself; maybe you're not even sure why rest is necessary. Wherever you are, this podcast is for you, and we invite you to listen in as GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft shares what he has learned about the importance of rest in a leader's life.

If you're looking for some best practices around communicating in today's digital, virtual environments, this episode is for you. Today, we listen in on a conversation between David Ashcraft and digital body language expert Erica Dhawan. Together they explore how communication has changed, particularly over the past 5 years, and what leaders can do right now to communicate effectively with their teams to maximize collaboration and effectiveness.

What keeps you from accomplishing your goals? Jon Acuff is passionate about answering that question and helping people to become the best versions of themselves. Recently he sat down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft to talk about some of the methods he uses to become one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers, how he leverages positive self-talk and how leaders can help individuals on their teams to overcome procrastination.

There are few things more powerful than the culture of an organization. Culture has the power to enhance a leader's vision, or it can be a powerful roadblock. The good news is that leaders have a strong influence on organizational culture, and in this episode GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft shares what he has learned about why culture matters and a few ways that leaders can begin to establish, maintain or correct their own team cultures.

Gabriel Salguero is a pastor and the founder and CEO of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. Recently he sat down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft, and together they had a vital and honest conversation about how leaders can learn to build bridges with those they lead. Gabe also shares the story of how he came to be a leader and talks about how leaders can balance their authority with the call to serve their followers. This is an episode that speaks to the challenges facing leaders in today's world.

In this episode, David Ashcraft sits down with speaker, author and activist, Christine Caine. They explore what Christine's path to leadership looked like, what it was like to overcome gender bias and prejudice, and how she moved from a moment of inspiration to building the anti-human trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign. They also talk about what the mindset change that is necessary for a leader to build something that outlasts them. This episode is full of solid and hard-won leadership wisdom that can help leaders in all seasons.

As critical as "vision" is, if a leader fails to execute on that vision—and helps others to do the same—nothing ever changes. In this episode of the Global Leadership Podcast, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft shares his wisdom and experience regarding the importance of execution, along with some practical tips on how to keep teams engaged while in the mundane work of getting things done.

As we kick off Season 9 of the Global Leadership Podcast, Whitney Putnam sits down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft to hear about some of his favorite moments from the 2025 Global Leadership Summit. David also shares wisdom regarding why it's so important for leaders to own their own leadership growth and development.

With the 2025 Global Leadership Summit just a few weeks away, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft sits down with Senior Vice President, Summit Experiences, Lori Hermann. to talk about how she leads the people that create and execute the world's premier leadership event year after year. They also explore how leaders can get the most out of an event like the Summit, and which speakers they are looking forward to hearing.

Dr. James Hewitt is a human performance scientist who works with some of the world's top businesses to bring about sustainable high-performance through science-backed strategies. In this conversation with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft, James shares the connection between knowledge work and high performance activities like professional cycling and Formula 1 racing, and some simple steps that we can take to meet the demands of leadership.

Developing, casting, and protecting an organization's vision is one of the most critical functions of a leader. In this episode, GLN VP of Marketing Whitney Putnam asks President and CEO David Ashcraft to share what he's learned about vision from his decades of leading. As always, you'll find David's insights to be practical, concise, and very clear. We hope you enjoy these tips on how to effectively share vision with your team.

How often do you struggle to navigate the desire to contribute high-impact, important work for your organization, and the seemingly constant demands on your attention from email, messages, and other activities? As a voice in the battle against busyness, Juliet Funt helps organizations release their people so that they can give themselves to their most important, high-impact work. In this conversation with David Ashcraft, Juliet explains some of the mindset shifts that leaders need to undergo in order to be champions for "white space," and to minimize unnecessary busywork in their organizations.

In this second part of a two-part episode, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft continues his conversation with author and consultant Les McKeown on the lifecycle stages of organizations, and the different ways leaders can respond in order to meet the unique challenges of each stage

What does it take for a new organization to succeed? After launching numerous companies, Les McKeown began to identify some common patterns that new ventures all seemed to go through, releasing his findings in his book, Predictable Success: Getting Your Organization on the Growth Track—and Keeping it There. He recently sat down with the GLN's own David Ashcraft to go deeper into the six stages in the lifecycle of an organization, and how leaders can respond in each of them. This is the first part of a two-part episode.

As a pilot of a U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat fighter plane, Carey Lohrenz learned the importance of being able to focus when the stakes are high. In this conversation with Jason Jaggard, she shares some of the simple tools that can help leaders in every situation learn to pursue excellence, plan effectively, and gain clarity on their "span of control."

Part of the work of leadership is about achieving and maintaining clarity: on your personal vocation, on your organization's purpose and mission, and on the most important activities to achieve results. Moreover, clarity helps us navigate the curveballs and unexpected challenges that life inevitably brings our way. We are kicking off this month of talking about de-cluttering leadership by hearing from GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft. David shares some of the strategies and activities that help him to stay focused and lead with simplicity and clarity.

What does it truly mean to be resilient? In this episode, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft interviews top management thinker, organizational psychologist and self-awareness expert Dr. Tasha Eurich. Together they unpack Tasha's latest book, Shatterproof, and discuss how leaders today—she calls them "stressed-out strivers"—can move beyond mere resilience and learn to thrive in our modern world.

A quick survey of Jo Saxton's life would tell you that she is deeply passionate about developing leaders. Whether it's through speaking, her leadership of the Ezer Collective and Bethel University's "The 25," her podcast or her books, her mission is easy to see. Fresh off the stage at the 2024 Global Leadership Summit, she sat down with Jason Jaggard to talk about her work, and shared wisdom on what young leaders bring to the workplace and how seasoned leaders can engage this emerging generation.

Recorded live at last year's Global Leadership Summit, Erwin Raphael McManus sat down to interview Harvard Business School Professor Arthur C. Brooks. Arthur takes us on a deep dive of science and physiology of happiness and gives us an introduction on how to leverage meta-cognition to start becoming happier people. As Erwin mentions in the interview, Arthur is a firehose of information, and you will definitely want to take notes as you listen in to this conversation.

How can leaders stay holistically healthy amidst demands for high-performance and the constant chaos of the modern world? GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft sits down with Whitney Putnam to share his thoughts on what leaders can do to care for themselves so they can stay in the game for the long haul.