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
- Website: Leader365 and Team365
- Website: Global Leadership Summit 2025
- Website: Global Leadership Network
Related
Ep 190 - New Communication Tools for the Digital Era, with Erica Dhawan
Today, we listen in on a conversation between David Ashcraft and digital body language expert Erica Dhawan. Together they explore how communication has changed, particularly over the past 5 years, and what leaders can do right now to communicate effectively with their teams to maximize collaboration and effectiveness.
Ep 188: David Ashcraft on How to Create, Steer and Correct Culture
The good news is that leaders have a strong influence on organizational culture, and in this episode GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft shares what he has learned about why culture matters and a few ways that leaders can begin to establish, maintain or correct their own team cultures.
Ep 187: Gabriel Salguero on Bridge-Building Leadership
Gabriel Salguero is a pastor and the founder and CEO of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. Recently he sat down with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft, and together they had a vital and honest conversation about how leaders can learn to build bridges with those they lead.
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