.webp)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see the people around you—your teammates, your friends, your spouse, your children—absolutely thriving? Today’s guest is Bradley Rapier. Bradley is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated choreographer with over three decades of experience in dance, production and leading teams and talent from Hollywood to Broadway. Whether dance and choreography is your thing or not, what Bradley teaches in this conversation with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft is what happens when people feel engaged and connected, and how we as leaders can facilitate that engagement. So, whether you’re leading your teenage children, a creative group, or you’re simply part of a group of friends, when people deeply feel that they are a part of something, everything changes: productivity, creativity and well-being soar. Bradley calls it, “stepping into the Circle,” and everyone is invited.
INTHIS EPISODE
0:00 Intro
03:20 How Bradley grew up and how he found his wayinto dance and choreography.
11:45 At what point did Bradley begin to seehimself as a leader?
14:00 The meaning of “The Circle.”
18:00 How vulnerability is involved with steppinginto the Circle.
21:30 What do you miss out on if you refuse to stepin?
24:10 Why is it important for leaders to understandengagement?
29:40 How does a leader encourage someone to stepinto a circle?
34:15 How leaders can develop an eye for those whooutside the Circle.
38:45 Outro
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTSAND TAKEAWAYS
- “TheCircle” represents various teams—small, medium and large. The interior of theCircle contains the focus, the energy, the value and the culture of that team.
- The edge of the Circle protects the things inside it.
- The Circle is an invitation to step into whoyou were designed to be.
- As you enter the Circle, it’s easy to fall prey to comparisons.
- Stepping into the Circle allows you to find what you actually believe and discover yourCircle’s role in the larger context.
- Becoming curious puts your attention onto someone else, which results in deeperinvestment and commitment.
- The further you step into the Circle, the more you develop a trust in the overallprocess and something larger than yourself, aka, “The Groove.”
- Every company and team needs to make sure that they are giving people the opportunityto get in reps: to step into the Circle repeatedly and to learn from it.
Specialthanks to Best ChristianWorkplacesfor sponsoring today’s episode.
LINKSMENTIONED
- Website:Bradley Rapier
- Website:Team365
Website: 2026 Global Leadership Summit
Related
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 208: Leading When the Plan Falls Apart with Craig Groeschel
In this episode, David Ashcraft talks with Craig Groeschel, founder and senior pastor of Life.Church, about how leaders can respond when leadership does not go as planned. Craig reflects on failed ideas, organizational pivots, team conflict, and the ongoing discipline of letting go as leadership expands. He also shares how humility, preparation, prayerfulness, candor and trust have shaped the way he leads through uncertainty.
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
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.
