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Today’s episode draws on the wealth of experience of GLN President and CEO, David Ashcraft, as he and GLN VP of Marketing Whitney Putnam cover a variety of topics related to working with teams. This conversation ranges from values, to empowerment, to conflict, and is absolutely full of practical leadership gems.
SUMMARY
Today’s episode draws on the wealth of experience of GLN President and CEO, David Ashcraft, as he and GLN VP of Marketing Whitney Putnam cover a variety of topics related to working with teams. This conversation ranges from values, to empowerment, to conflict, and is absolutely full of practical leadership gems.
IN THIS EPISODE
0:00 Intro
02:00 What it’s like to be a Cowboys fan.
03:40 The advice David would give his younger self on leading teams.
06:00 How to come up with values.
08:40 Why leaders hesitate to unleash others.
11:00 What happens when teams just aren’t working.
25:00 Outro
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS
- The advantage of teamwork is that you can compensate for each other’s weaknesses and truly be well-rounded.
- Power comes from working with teams.
- Teamwork means elevating others so that they can become experts.
- Often, you learn and discover values as you work and grow.
- Fear is usually at the root of failing to empower others.
- If you want to grow as an organization, you have to downplay the need for control, and lean into trust and empowerment.
- Leaders that are more concerned about their own platforms will erode the trust of others.
- If you elevate the organization’s platform first, your own personal platform will follow.
- Although some tension within a team is good, sometimes a leader needs to acknowledge that personnel on a team may need to change.
- There needs to be unity on the big picture issues (“Are we a train, or an airplane?”).
- Don’t bring “enemies” on to your teams.
- Conflict—even hard, challenging conflict—is fine, but keep short accounts with other team members.
- If you can resolve conflict publicly, it saves time in needing to go to individual team members.
- Consider the price someone is willing to pay to criticize you.
LINKS MENTIONED
- Website: Team365
- Website: Global Leadership Summit 2025
- Website: Global Leadership Network
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.
