.webp)
When the word, “innovation” gets mentioned, there tends to be two broad reactions: some people love pioneering and creating new things. However, a lot of people immediately think, “I am not creative; innovation is something that comes easily to other people and not me.” If you find yourself in that latter group, today’s interview with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft will hopefully dispel those thoughts and show how innovation doesn’t mean creating something out of nothing. If you’re ready to discover how to give yourself space for innovation, give this episode a listen.
INTHIS EPISODE
0:00 Intro
02:30 How do leaders tend to think about “innovation”?
04:45 Why is it important for leaders to look outside of their own industries to find new ideas?
07:00 How to balance innovation with nostalgia.
09:30 How leaders can rally the troops to open their minds to new ideas.
12:20 What do leaders do when they sense that things are stale, or that there needs to be an injection of new ideas.
17:45 What are some things to consider when rolling out new ideas to a team?
23:30 Some new ways that the GLN will be serving leaders.
27:45 Outro
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTSAND TAKEAWAYS
- It’s important for organizations to think about innovation, but not every leader thinks of themselves as creative or innovative.
- Innovation does not have to be totally new: it can be iterative.
- Creativity expert Fredrik Hären says that creativity can come from simply taking two known items or ideas and combining them together in a new and interesting way.
- “Never stop learning” encourages leaders to find new ideas in unexpected places.
- The point is not to copy another organization or idea exactly. The point is to contextualize ideas for your situation.
- You don’t always need to sell new ideas to your team; simply take them along with you and let them see for themselves.
- Running too hard and too fast can lead to a feeling of staleness. Sometimes taking a trip (to observe another church or organization) serves the purpose of simply giving you time and space to clear your head and reflect.
- Giving people space for reflection adds long-term value.
- Innovation is not always something that is wildly new but even small, iterative ideas can have tremendous impact.
- Sometimes pastors and leaders can frustrate their staff with too many new ideas and suggestions.
- Innovation does not have to mean constantly having new ideas that change your direction; it can mean that you’re constantly getting better at the direction that you’re already heading.
- Collaboration can help organizations accept and implement new ideas more easily.
LINKSMENTIONED
- Website:Team365
- Website:2026 GlobalLeadership Summit
Related
Ep 204: Why Culture Is a Leader’s Responsibility (and How to Shape It) with Jenni Catron
In this conversation with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft, Jenni offers a practical definition of culture, along with clear ways to translate values into everyday behaviors and reinforce them through consistent rhythms.
Ep 203: How Leaders Use Strategy (with David Ashcraft)
In this episode, Whitney Putnam sits down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft to simplify strategy and make it practical. Together, they unpack why strategy matters at every level of leadership—and why waiting for perfect clarity might be the very thing holding you back.
Ep 202: Creating Meaningful Change Through Faith and Entrepreneurship (with Justin Forman)
Leadership isn’t just about building something successful; it’s about building something meaningful, aligning what you believe with how you lead and using what you’ve been given to make a difference. Today’s guest is someone who has spent years helping leaders do exactly that.
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.
