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Today we're talking with GLN president and CEO David Ashcraft about resilience. Honestly, sometimes I love the word, “resilience.” However, sometimes I kind of hate it: usually when I'm in the middle of a really challenging time that I just wish would end. This conversation will help you think about why resilience is necessary and the importance of celebrating small wins. With the right inputs, we can be resilient leaders.
INTHIS EPISODE
0:00 Intro
02:30 Going through hard things is pretty common for leaders.
03:40 What do most people think of when they hear the word, “resilience”?
05:30 What impact has resilience (or “stubbornness”) had on David’s leadership?
08:15 How David knew to keep on pushing for positive outcomes rather than giving up.
13:00 How did David’s “resilience muscles” grow during the challenging times?
15:20 David’s encouragement for any leader who is going through a storm right now.
20:55 Outro
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS
- Leadership always comes with storms—resilience is what keeps you moving forward when following the right path still leads to difficulty.
- What some people call stubbornness can actually be resilience—the determination to keep going when others think you should quit.
- Resilience is the willingness to keep pursuing a vision through dozens of roadblocks until it becomes something vibrant and lasting.
- Never make the decision to quit in the middle of a storm—wait until the pressure clears so you can think clearly.
- Resilient leaders keep going by focusing on the end goal and celebrating small wins that prove they’re making progress.
- Often you don’t realize when the storm ends—the clouds simply part one day and you look back and realize the sun is shining again.
- A key difference between resilience and sheer stubbornness is a willingness to take advice, but at the same time a leader should be very careful who they listen to.
- The leaders who succeed are usually the ones who simply refuse to give up—but resilience must be paired with a real plan and forward action.
LINKS MENTIONED
- Website: Team365
- Website: 2026 Global Leadership Summit
Related
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.
Ep 206: When Leadership Gets Hijacked: Reclaiming Your Focus, Identity, and Definition of Success (with David Ashcraft)
In this episode, Whitney Putnam sits down with David Ashcraft to unpack the internal and external “hijacks” that pull leaders off course. They explore how even confident leaders can fall into comparison traps, how self-doubt often disguises itself in different ways, and why defining success based on others’ metrics leads to frustration.
Ep 205: Our Favorite Moments, Winter 2026 — Lessons on Resilience, Presence, and Perspective (with Whitney Putnam and Eric Case)
This episode highlights key moments from recent conversations to help you stay grounded in those seasons. You’ll hear insights on perseverance from Walker Hayes, practical wisdom on resilience from David Ashcraft, and a timely reminder from John Maxwell about embracing the season you’re in. Whitney and Eric also share personal leadership challenges and what helped them keep going.
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.
