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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.
IN THIS EPISODE:
0:00 Intro
2:10 How David adjusted from the culture of Texas to that of Pennsylvania.
5:00 How baking cookies built a culture of hospitality.
9:00 Some ways that David has practically established boundaries of organizational culture.
9:50 What process did David use to learn to establish culture?
11:30 What actions should a newer leader focus on?
16:00 What did David observe in GLN culture that he felt needed to shift?
19:30 The tension between a culture of candor and a culture of safety.
22:15 Outro
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS
- Culture is partially built by the things you do, repeatedly, and partly by the things you do not do, or say “no” to.
- The leader’s role is to say what’s important and then model that for the organization.
- In 2 ½ to 3 years, an organization will begin to assume the personality of its leader.
- At some point, instead of talking about what your culture is, you should just start doing it. (Or, depending on the situation, you should STOP doing it.)
- People in an organization are always watching the leader.
LINKS MENTIONED
- Website: Leader365 and Team365
- Website: 2026 Global Leadership Summit
- Book: Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect (Will Guidara)
- Website: Global Leadership Network
Related
Ep 187: Gabriel Salguero on Bridge-Building Leadership
Gabriel Salguero is a pastor and the founder and CEO of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. Recently he sat down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft, and together they had a vital and honest conversation about how leaders can learn to build bridges with those they lead.
Ep 183: Lori Hermann (GLN SVP, Summit Experiences) on Producing a World-Class Leadership Event
With the 2025 Global Leadership Summit just a few weeks away, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft sits down with Senior Vice President, Summit Experiences, Lori Hermann. to talk about how she leads the people that create and execute the world’s premier leadership event year after year. They also explore how leaders can get the most out of an event like the Summit, and which speakers they are looking forward to hearing.
Ep 180: Juliet Funt on Freeing Your People (and Yourself) for High-Value Work
In this conversation with David Ashcraft, Juliet explains some of the mindset shifts that leaders need to undergo in order to be champions for “white space,” and to minimize unnecessary busywork in their organizations.
Leadership That Lasts
Team365 isn’t just a platform. It’s a commitment to grow, lead and live with purpose — every single day. Whether you’re here for content, community or clarity, you’re in the right place. Your leadership matters. Let’s keep going.
