Church & Faith-Based
Communication
Conflict Management
Culture
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September 16, 2024

Ep 148: David Ashcraft on Effective Communication for Leaders

Contributor
David Ashcraft
David Ashcraft
President and CEO
|
Global Leadership Network
Whitney Putnam
Whitney Putnam
Vice President of Marketing
|
Global Leadership Network

Effective communication is a critical, but sometimes overlooked, aspect of leadership. Used correctly, effective and clear communication ensures that our messages get heard, our vision gets communicated, and our people feel seen and heard. Recently, podcast host and GLN VP of Marketing Whitney Putnam sat down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft to introduce this month’s theme of effective communication, and to hear about his own best practices around communication from over 30 years of strategic leadership.

SUMMARY

Effective communication is a critical, but sometimes overlooked, aspect of leadership. Used correctly, effective and clear communication ensures that our messages get heard, our vision gets communicated, and our people feel seen and heard. Recently, podcast host and GLN VP of Marketing Whitney Putnam sat down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft to introduce this month’s theme of effective communication, and to hear about his own best practices around communication from over 30 years of strategic leadership.

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Does David have a favorite season?

  • Regarding Erwin Raphael McManus’ seven communication frequencies, how would David characterize his personal communication style?

  • Over his time in leadership, what is some of the best advice David’s heard regarding communication?

  • What are one or two communication habits or best practices that every leader should have?

LISTEN

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS

  • Be prepared to adjust your style of communication to match your audience (rather than expecting them to adjust to you).

  • Leaders typically undervalue the power of story in favor of the information they want to get out.

  • There is a difference between teaching and communicating, and it pays to be able to balance them both.

  • Candor allows potential disagreements to be handled earlier and often more easily than if you avoid being honest.

  • Typically, leaders think that they have communicated something enough when in reality they need to repeat and restate their information more.

  • Work hard to simplify complex ideas so that everyone can understand them. The point is not to impress people, it’s to help them understand.

LINKS MENTIONED

Communication
,
Collaboration
,
Conflict Management
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July 22, 2025

Ep 183: Lori Hermann (GLN SVP, Summit Experiences) on Producing a World-Class Leadership Event

With the 2025 Global Leadership Summit just a few weeks away, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft sits down with Senior Vice President, Summit Experiences, Lori Hermann. to talk about how she leads the people that create and execute the world’s premier leadership event year after year. They also explore how leaders can get the most out of an event like the Summit, and which speakers they are looking forward to hearing.  

Leading Others
Communication
,
July 8, 2025

Ep 182: Dr. James Hewitt on High Performance for Cognitive Work

In this conversation with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft, James shares the connection between knowledge work and high-performance activities like professional cycling and Formula 1 racing, and some simple steps that we can take to meet the demands of leadership.

Leading Others
Communication
,
July 4, 2025

Ep 181: GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft Vision

In this episode, GLN VP of Marketing Whitney Putnam asks President and CEO David Ashcraft to share what he’s learned about vision from his decades of leading.

Leading Others

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