The Global Leadership Podcast
Global Leadership Network
You have influence, right where you are. We'll help you ignite it — at work, home, church and in your community. The Global Leadership Podcast brings you honest, practical conversations with world-class leadership experts across industries. Past guests have included Craig Groeschel, Joni Eareckson Tada, Coach K, Erin Meyer, Marcus Buckingham, Juliet Funt, Ryan Leak and more.
Your hosts David Ashcraft, President & CEO of the Global Leadership Network (GLN), and Whitney Putnam, VP of Marketing and Communications at GLN, draw on GLN’s 30 years of curating fresh, actionable leadership insights. The GLN is the creator of the Global Leadership Summit, which reaches more than 350,000 leaders worldwide every year. Learn more at https://www.globalleadership.org/.
Because everyone wins when the leader gets better.
Your hosts David Ashcraft, President & CEO of the Global Leadership Network (GLN), and Whitney Putnam, VP of Marketing and Communications at GLN, draw on GLN’s 30 years of curating fresh, actionable leadership insights. The GLN is the creator of the Global Leadership Summit, which reaches more than 350,000 leaders worldwide every year. Learn more at https://www.globalleadership.org/.
Because everyone wins when the leader gets better.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 7, 2025 • 24min
Ep 188: David Ashcraft on How to Create, Steer and Correct Culture
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.
Sep 30, 2025 • 49min
Ep 187: Gabriel Salguero on Bridge-Building Leadership
In a compelling discussion, Gabriel Salguero, founder of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, shares his journey from a pastor's son to a prominent bridge-builder in leadership. He defines 'hyphenated leaders' who navigate cultural complexities and emphasizes the power of listening. Gabe highlights the importance of silence as a leadership tool and advocates for investing in people rather than seeking personal glory. He also addresses the fine line between authority and authoritarianism, urging leaders to let their actions define them.
Sep 16, 2025 • 49min
Ep 186: Christine Caine on Moving From Inspiration to Execution
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.
Sep 9, 2025 • 22min
Ep 185: David Ashcraft on The Importance of Execution
David Ashcraft, President and CEO of Global Leadership Network, dives deep into the art of execution in leadership. He emphasizes that vision is meaningless without execution and shares practical tips to keep teams energized through mundane tasks. The conversation highlights the vital balance between vision and action, the power of effective delegation, and the importance of humility in leadership to foster collaboration. Ashcraft also reflects on personal experiences, making it clear that navigating challenges together is key to achieving a shared vision.
Aug 26, 2025 • 22min
Ep 184: David Ashcraft on His Favorite Moments From the 2025 Global Leadership Summit
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.
Jul 22, 2025 • 36min
Ep 183: Lori Hermann (GLN SVP, Summit Experiences) on Producing a World-Class Leadership Event
Lori Hermann, Senior Vice President of Summit Experiences at GLN, dives into the intricacies of producing the Global Leadership Summit. She reveals how meticulous preparations, such as speaker selection, enhance the event's impact. Lori highlights the importance of teamwork and diverse voices to inspire leadership excellence. The conversation emphasizes building trust and collaboration within teams, while underscoring the transformative power of shared experiences at leadership summits. Listeners can look forward to hearing standout speakers like Erica Duan and James Hewitt.
4 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 42min
Ep 182: Dr. James Hewitt on High Performance for Cognitive Work
Dr. James Hewitt, a human performance scientist and founder of the Knowledge Work Lab, collaborates with leading businesses to enhance sustainable high performance. In this conversation, he uncovers the parallels between cognitive work and high-stakes sports like Formula 1. They discuss the crucial role of sleep in decision-making and emotional intelligence, debunking myths about its importance. Hewitt also emphasizes the need for recovery practices in leadership, encouraging listeners to balance rigorous work demands with strategic energy management.
7 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 15min
Ep 181: GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft on Vision
Discover the pivotal role of vision in leadership and how it can align and engage teams. Insightful anecdotes emphasize the need for simplicity when sharing a vision for clarity. Learn how to maintain a shared organizational vision while encouraging creativity and feedback. Explore the importance of instilling core values and boundaries to shape successful cultures. Finally, see how effective communication can enhance focus and drive your team's success.
Jun 24, 2025 • 43min
Ep 180: Juliet Funt on Freeing Your People (and Yourself) for High-Value Work
In this engaging discussion, Juliet Funt, a keynote speaker and founder of the Juliet Funt Group, tackles the rampant issue of busy work in organizations. She shares insightful strategies for leaders to create 'white space,' allowing teams to focus on high-impact tasks. Juliet emphasizes the importance of transforming corporate culture to boost both employee well-being and profitability. Listeners learn about the significance of strategic pauses and the need to enhance workplace efficiency by minimizing unnecessary meetings, ultimately fostering a more productive environment.
13 snips
Jun 20, 2025 • 33min
Ep 179: Les McKeown on Making Success “Predictable” (Pt. 2)
In this insightful conversation, Les McKeown, founder of Predictable Success, shares his expertise on organizational growth. He discusses how leaders can navigate the lifecycle of their organizations to achieve predictable success. Les emphasizes the critical need for scalable systems and a clear organizational purpose. He tackles the dangers of complacency, likening stagnation to arthritis, and discusses the importance of adaptive leadership. The dialogue touches on recognizing when change is necessary and the need for effective communication within evolving teams.
