The Global Leadership Podcast

Ep 191: Leadership and Rest with David Ashcraft

5 snips
Nov 4, 2025
David Ashcraft, President and CEO of the Global Leadership Network, dives into the crucial yet often overlooked topic of rest for leaders. He shares insights on the struggle of unplugging, the significant impact of inadequate rest on performance and burnout, and cultural attitudes toward busyness. David emphasizes the need for intentional family time, healthy sleep habits, and setting calendar boundaries. Through his 'find your chair' practice, he advocates for spiritual rhythms and encourages leaders to recognize their need for rest. It's a refreshing perspective that redefines leadership success.
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INSIGHT

Sleep Loss Impairs Leadership Cognition

  • Chronic lack of sleep severely reduces cognitive performance, comparable to being legally drunk.
  • Shorting sleep for busy seasons creates sustained drops like losing ~15 IQ points over two weeks.
ADVICE

Choose Sleep Over Early Workouts

  • Prefer extra sleep over early workouts when sleep would fall below recommended hours.
  • Give priority to adequate sleep because it benefits physical and mental performance more than waking earlier to exercise.
ADVICE

Time-Block Family And Personal Rhythms

  • Block family and personal time on your calendar as non-negotiable appointments.
  • Use calendar blocks to protect rhythms and recalibrate when seasons get intense.
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