Calling
Character
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April 9, 2024

Ep 137: Exploring the Gifts of Failure and Risk with Ryan Leak

Contributor
Lori Hermann
Lori Hermann
Executive Producer
|
Global Leadership Network
Ryan Leak
Ryan Leak
CEO, Best-Selling Author
|
The Ryan Leak Group

In this episode, Ryan Leak shares how chasing failure has taken him much farther in his life than safety and security. Global Leadership Podcast team member Lori Hermann explores Ryan’s upbringing, the significant events that have defined his leadership, and how <i>following </i>through change can be just as challenging as leading through change.

SUMMARY

CEO, executive coach and bestselling author Ryan Leak shares how chasing failure has taken him much farther in his life than safety and security. Global Leadership Podcast team member Lori Hermann explores Ryan’s upbringing, the significant events that have defined his leadership, and how following through change can be just as challenging as leading through change.

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Exploring Ryan’s backstory.

  • Growing up in different worlds, what was Ryan’s biggest challenge?

  • What was Ryan’s journey to becoming a pastor?

  • What does Ryan see as being the biggest issue in leadership today?

  • What advice would he give to leaders who are going through change?

  • How can vulnerability enhance a leader’s effectiveness?

  • What has chasing failure taught Ryan?

 

LISTEN

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

 

STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS

  • If you want to be a speaker, don’t wait: start writing right now. Behave as if you are going on the stage tomorrow.

  • Every industry is going through change, but every industry thinks they are the only industry going through change.

  • Leading through change is hard, but following through change might actually be harder.

  • When leading through change, leaders should acknowledge that the ripple effect of new policies, approaches, etc., is much larger than they can see.

  • There is a significant impact when leaders make themselves available to those they are leading, even though most people will not actually take the opportunity.

  • Whenever possible, leaders should not make decisions in a vacuum.

  • Change is easier when there’s care at a high level.

  • Sometimes a leader needs to wait to create change until they have enough relational equity with their organization.

  • It’s important that leaders are able to talk about the behind the scenes: failures, stumbles, etc. Being vulnerable makes us human and builds trust.

  • When you make it about others—trying to add value to them—it takes the pressure off.

  • “There is no amount of money in the world that can hold your hand when you have to put one of your babies in the ground.” – T.D. Jakes

 

LINKS MENTIONED

Communication
,
July 8, 2025

Ep 182: Dr. James Hewitt on High Performance for Cognitive Work

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.

Leading Others
Communication
,
July 4, 2025

Ep 181: GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft Vision

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.

Leading Others
Calling
,
Execution
,
Productivity
,
June 20, 2025

Ep 179: Les McKeown on Making Success “Predictable” (Pt. 2)

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.

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