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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.
SUMMARY
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.
IN THIS EPISODE
0:00 Intro
03:00 How impact has “clutter” had on David’s life and leadership efforts? .
05:30 How does David approach organizing his life in order to maintain clarity on his priorities?
08:30 The importance of delegation.
10:40 Les McKeown’s concept of “Whitewater,” and how an organization can work through it.
12:00 How to learn to say, “No.”
14:20 Outro
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS
- There are things you currently think are really important to keep doing, but in reality they probably aren’t that important to the overall success or mission of your organization.
- Delegation is about realizing you cannot achieve a goal on your own and owning your limitations. It is also about developing people over the long haul
- If you find that you continue to postpone something on your “To Do” list for weeks, consider the fact that it might be something you don’t need to do.
- Another word for de-clutter is “simplify.”
- Look for activities in your organization where you can give people permission to stop doing them.
- Take advantage of “Snow Days” to take stock of where you can simplify.
LINKS MENTIONED
- Website: Les McKeown
- Website: Juliet Funt
- Website: Team365
- Website: Global Leadership Summit 2025
- Website: Global Leadership Network
Related
Ep 210: What Leaders Miss About Motivation, Purpose and 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.
Ep 209: Communication, Candor and Trust
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.
Ep 207: Leading Through Leadership Hijacks with Edgar Sandoval
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.
Leadership That Lasts
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