Servant Leadership
Culture
Church & Faith-Based
October 1, 2024

Ep 151: How Leadership and Hospitality are Interconnected—GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft

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

What should leaders know about hospitality? What does it mean to be welcoming? Whitney Putnam (GLN VP of Marketing and Global Leadership Podcast Host) and David Ashcraft (GLN President and CEO) kick off this month’s focus with a focus on the importance of hospitality. In the conversation, David reflects on the impact hospitality can have on guests and/or customers, and how showing unreasonable hospitality to others can positively impact a team.

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • What is David’s favorite fall drink?
  • Why should leaders focus on hospitality?
  • What were David’s main takeaway’s from Will Guidara’s talk on unreasonable hospitality (2024 Global Leadership Summit)
  • How can hospitality be a “selfish pleasure”?
  • How does David live out hospitality in his current role at the GLN?
  • How can a leader express hospitality in a remote or hybrid work situation?

LISTEN

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS

  • Behind-the-scenes excellence makes public “wow moments” possible.  
  • Upholding the value of excellence has a positive impact on an entire organization.
  • Every touch point that someone has with an organization (from interactions in the parking lot to emails and social media) is an opportunity to show hospitality.  

LINKS MENTIONED

Supervising People
,
Performance Management
,
Culture
,
June 10, 2026

Ep 210: What Leaders Miss About Motivation, Purpose and Progress

In this episode, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft talks with Chris McChesney, author of The 4 Disciplines of Execution, about the difference between employee satisfaction and true engagement. Chris explains why people can have what looks like an ideal job and still feel disconnected from the work, while others can serve in demanding environments and remain deeply motivated. The difference often comes down to progress and purpose.

Leading Organizations
Leading Others
Communication
,
Conflict Management
,
Culture
,
June 3, 2026

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.

Leading Organizations
Leading Others
Team Building
,
Conflict Management
,
Leadership Development
,
May 20, 2026

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.

Leading Organizations
Leading Others

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