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