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“Vision leaks” is a well-known leadership axiom, and to kick off January’s theme of being a “purposeful leader,” Whitney Putnam sits down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft. In this conversation, they explore the role purpose and mission has in David’s life and leadership. We’ll also hear about some common pitfalls that leaders can face regarding purpose, and how he has learned to guard against them.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Does David do New Years’ Resolutions?
- How would David describe his life’s purpose?
- What can people do to discover a purpose that lasts?
- What can leaders do if an organization starts to drift from its purpose or mission?
- How did David learn the importance of maintaining clarity and focus?
- For David, who modeled the quality of consistently showing up, day after day?
- How do you keep showing up to do your job if it doesn’t align with your passion?
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS
- Focus on simplicity; don’t try to do too many things.
- The leader’s job is to be the gatekeeper of the vision, to say no to things that might pull the organization off track.
- Even after you spend months crafting the perfect vision statement, it will inevitably leak. Repetition is crucial.
- After you establish your purpose, everything you do should be measured against it.
- Oftentimes, people will get bored with vision and purpose and want to try new things. Sometimes the leader needs to remind people that winning comes from being consistent and doing their job.
LINKS MENTIONED
- Website: Leader365 and Team365
- Website: Global Leadership Summit 2025
- Website: Global Leadership Network
Related
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 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.
