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For leaders, there’s no avoiding failure; it just comes with the territory. However, how leaders respond when things don’t go as planned—how they lead through failure—is absolutely critical. This month, we are going to focus on ways that leaders can lead through failure and turn potential disappointment into powerful lessons for growth and renewal. In this episode, GLN President and CEO, David Ashcraft, shares stories of times when things did not go as planned, and how he has learned to “fail well” over time.
SUMMARY
For leaders, there’s no avoiding failure; it just comes with the territory. However, how leaders respond when things don’t go as planned—how they lead through failure—is absolutely critical. This month, we are going to focus on ways that leaders can lead through failure and turn potential disappointment into powerful lessons for growth and renewal. In this episode, GLN President and CEO, David Ashcraft, shares stories of times when things did not go as planned, and how he has learned to “fail well” over time.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- When is a time that David had a project or idea that he was passionate about, but that did not turn out the way he wanted?
- How can you move through discouragement over the results to a posture of learning?
- Does David see himself as a perfectionist?
- How can you build a culture of candor in a team?
- If you tend to be a people pleaser, what can you do to start receiving feedback more productively?
- If you’re going to experiment, be aware of how bad the consequences could be, and calculate accordingly.
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS
- Perspective is very important to determine whether or not something is actually a failure.
- Try new things but try them wisely.
- The desire for success can help mitigate the desire to please others.
- Address shortcomings and “gaps” with truth and grace, not suspicion or doubt.
- “Failure is not the enemy, inaction is” (Carrie Lohrenz).
LINKS MENTIONED
- Website: Leader365 and Team365
- Website: Global Leadership Summit 2025
- Website: Global Leadership Network
Related
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.
Ep 178: Les McKeown on Making Success “Predictable” (Pt. 1)
Les McKeown 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.
Ep 177: Carey Lohrenz on How Leaders Can Stay Laser-Focused
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.”
Leadership That Lasts
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