Maxwell Leadership Podcast

Are you leading from your strengths, or simply telling others what they should do? In this week's episode, John Maxwell unpacks the challenging truth that leaders don't just teach what they know—they reproduce who they are by their example. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede provide practical strategies you can use to strengthen your self-leadership and intentionally shape the culture around you. Key takeaways: Leading yourself effectively with authenticity and consistency can be your greatest daily challenge. The responsibility of leadership means modeling growth and resilience so your team mirrors your example, not just your instructions. What people observe in you determines what they become—leadership is visual, and proximity matters for genuine reproduction. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Leaders Reproduce Who They Are Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Reproduce — MaxwellPodcast.com/Reproduce and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." This episode is sponsored by BELAY: Leaders, stop trying to do it all yourself. The best leaders know their limits, operate out of their strengths, and set others up for success. Find freedom with BELAY — pairing you with vetted U.S. virtual assistants so you can focus on what matters. To help you get started, BELAY is offering Maxwell Leadership listeners a free download of their resource, Culture Clarity: A Guide to Uncovering Your Real Culture Through Feedback. Just text MAXWELL to 55123 for FREE access. References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Get the High Road Leadership online course for 33% off Apply this week's episode with other growth-minded leaders in the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Social Community Learn to lead up with John Maxwell's guide, The 360-Degree Leader Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Myth: Leaders need to be balanced. Fact: Together, you and your team can be balanced. In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals why the dream team isn't about perfection in individuals, but about creating collective balance through diversity of skills, passion, and perspective. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede dig into high-level strategy for building a team where everyone's strengths thrive and the leader's vision multiplies. Key takeaways: A balanced team is built on diverse strengths—no single leader can or should do it all alone. Exceptional leaders replace assumptions with curiosity, listening and learning from their team before leading. The most successful teams are intentionally shaped through shared values, growth, and a genuine commitment to multiplying each other's impact. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the What Your Dream Team Should Look Like Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/DreamTeam and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Get the 21 Laws of Leadership online course for 20% off Apply this week's episode with other growth-minded leaders in the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Social Community Order your copy of John Maxwell's resilience guide, How to Get a Return on Failure How to Attract Leaders Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

How do you know if you're truly adding value to those around you, or just going through the motions? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals the five essential questions every leader should ask to elevate their influence and impact. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede dive into their strategies for weaving these value-adding principles into your everyday leadership. Key takeaways: Before you can add value to others, you must recognize and develop the unique value you bring to the table. Valuing what you do—and the people you serve—is the foundation for authentic influence and sustained growth. Leaders multiply their impact by continuously growing themselves and intentionally focusing on what is best for others, not just them. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Five Questions to Help You Add Value to Others Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/ValueOthers and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." This episode is sponsored by BELAY: Leaders, stop trying to do it all yourself. The best leaders know their limits, operate out of their strengths, and set others up for success. Find freedom with BELAY — pairing you with vetted U.S. virtual assistants so you can focus on what matters. To help you get started, BELAY is offering Maxwell Leadership listeners a free download of their resource, Culture Clarity: A Guide to Uncovering Your Real Culture Through Feedback. Just text MAXWELL to 55123 for FREE access. References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Get the High Road Leadership online course for 33% off Apply this week's episode with other growth-minded leaders in the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Social Community Order your copy of John Maxwell's resilience guide, How to Get a Return on Failure (use code ROFPOD at checkout to get The Quick Start Guide to Getting a Return on Failure 100% free!) Discover your leadership level with John Maxwell's 5 levels of leadership What Serving Others Has Taught Me Podcast Episode It's Not About You: Leadership, Communication, and Putting Others First Podcast Episode Episode 400: How to Use Failure for Success Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

What values are defining your legacy as a leader? In this week's episode, John Maxwell illuminates how true leadership can only center on values, and those values can only center on people. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson dig into practical ways you can identify, live out, and multiply these values within your team and organization. Key takeaways: The test of good values is whether they value all people, all the time, in every situation—this alignment is the foundation of real leadership. Leaders who see and lift others unlock greater potential, but when they stop valuing people, they lose their right to lead. Values act as the glue, foundation, compass, and map for a leader, providing stability, accountability, direction, and daily guidance. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Values Are the Soul of Leadership Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Soul and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Get the 21 Laws of Leadership online course for 20% off Apply this week's episode with other growth-minded leaders in the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Social Community Rediscover the impact you can have on others with Gloria Burgess' Pass it On How Self-Awareness Sets Great Leaders Apart Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Are you leading with joy, or just surviving? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals eight essential ways to maximize your joy, showing how intentional living shapes your leadership journey. After John's lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow unpack the practical steps you can take to apply these principles in your own leadership. Key takeaways: Joy is found in the journey, not the destination—and it starts with living intentionally and defining your purpose. Growth, daily self-improvement, and a focus on adding value to others are core ingredients for a fulfilling leadership life. Surrounding yourself with a balanced team and staying in your strength zone amplifies both your personal impact and your collective results. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Maximize Your Joy (Part 1) Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Joy and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." This episode is sponsored by BELAY: Leaders, stop trying to do it all yourself. The best leaders know their limits, operate out of their strengths, and set others up for success. Find freedom with BELAY — pairing you with vetted U.S. virtual assistants so you can focus on what matters. To help you get started, BELAY is offering Maxwell Leadership listeners a free download of their resource, The Leadership Toolkit. Just text MAXWELL to 55123 for FREE access. References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Get the 15 Laws of Growth online course for 80% off Apply this week's episode with other growth-minded leaders in the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Social Community Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Parts 1 & 2) Podcast Episodes Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Discover one of the great leadership paradoxes: the surprising growth that comes from serving others. In this week's episode, John Maxwell teaches how putting others first unlocks unexpected personal development and deeper self-understanding. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson dive into real-world ways to apply these transformative insights, offering strategies to help you lead with greater impact starting today. Key takeaways: When leaders intentionally serve others, they gain profound insights about their own motives, abilities, and growth areas. True leadership begins when you shift from seeking followers for your vision to helping others achieve their own potential. Valuing and serving your team transforms relationships, elevates teamwork, and empowers everyone to reach greater heights together. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How Serving Others Unlocks Self-Discovery Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Others and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Get the Change Your World online course for 66% off What Serving Others Has Taught Me Podcast Episode It's Not About You: Leadership, Communication, and Putting Others First Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Are you striving for success, yet finding yourself wondering if your achievements really matter? The answer to a fulfilled life may lie in asking deeper questions, not just chasing accomplishments. In this bonus episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, Mark Cole and Jared Cagle are joined by author and professor Arthur C. Brooks to discuss the pillars of a meaningful life (especially in an age of emptiness). Key takeaways: Meaning in life isn't just about setting goals; it's about asking "why" and finding deeper significance in what you do. Serving others shifts the focus away from chasing success for its own sake and unlocks fulfillment through impact and connection. Every leader's journey is marked by both triumphs and setbacks—true growth comes from learning to find purpose in both. References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Pre-order The Meaning of Your Life today and get VIP access to Arthur Brooks' launch event on March 27 Learn more about Dr. Brooks' work

Are you ready to turn your greatest setbacks into the fuel for exponential growth? In this week's episode, John Maxwell unpacks how the partnership between success and failure is essential to leadership—and why your perspective on failure determines your path to achievement. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede provide real-world strategies you can use right away to embrace failure as a catalyst for learning and growth. Key takeaways: How you view failure shapes your response to it—and seeing it as part of success unlocks growth, humility, and maturity. Successful leaders don't just make good decisions; they learn to manage both their wins and their losses to maximize impact. The lessons you take from failure are what propel you forward—if you don't lose the lesson, you never truly lose. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Success and Failure: The Partnership that Fuels Growth Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Partnership and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Pre-order your copy of John Maxwell's resilience guide, How to Get a Return on Failure Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) Get a Return on Failure Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Failure can either hold you back or become fuel for your growth. In this week's episode — the Maxwell Leadership Podcast's 400th episode! — John Maxwell joins Mark Cole for a glimpse into John's upcoming book, How to Get a Return on Failure, and a perspective-shifting discussion on how you can invest failure to fuel resilience, sharpen your judgment, and accelerate your impact. Key takeaways: Your response to failure determines whether it becomes an asset or a liability. Success and failure must be kept together; embracing both builds resilience and humility for lasting leadership. Progress isn't about avoiding mistakes—it's about learning, improving, and moving on with greater wisdom each time. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Episode 400: How to Use Failure for Success Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/400 and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Pre-order your copy of John Maxwell's resilience guide, How to Get a Return on Failure (The first 400 to use code ROFPOD at checkout get our digital resource, the Quick Start Guide to Getting a Return on Failure, 100% free!) Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Who are you intentionally inviting into your growth journey? The company you keep could be your greatest accelerator—or your greatest limitation. In this week's episode, John Maxwell teaches how to surround yourself with great people by unveiling the disciplines and mindsets that attract high-potential leaders to your circle. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow share real-life strategies you can use right now to elevate your relationships and leverage the power of your network for exponential growth. Key takeaways: Your desire for greatness—and action toward it—opens doors to impactful relationships and opportunities. If you want to grow, you must proactively put yourself where great people are and immerse yourself in environments that challenge and affirm you. Success is sustained by consistently practicing the habits of great people, not just admiring their accomplishments. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Part 1) Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/GreatPeople and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Get the 15 Laws of Growth online course for 80% off How to Embrace Intentional Living Podcast Episode Your Motives Matter Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Do your expectations shape your reality—or limit it? Imagine what would happen if you raised the bar for yourself and those around you. In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals how the expectations you set determine the experiences you create, and why possibility thinking is every leader's secret advantage. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson share actionable strategies for resetting team expectations and building a culture of higher achievement, so you can apply John's insights right away. Key takeaways: Successful leaders continually set higher, self-driven expectations and upgrade them over time. Possibility thinking empowers you to see problems as opportunities and persevere through adversity. Your beliefs must match your expectations—when you genuinely believe in your potential and direction, you inspire those around you to do the same. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the What You Expect is What You Experience Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/WhatYouExpect and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) Your Motives Matter Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

It's not about you—it's about them. In this week's episode, John Maxwell shares the powerful shift that transforms everyday leaders into extraordinary influencers and makes it possible for your leadership to truly impact others! After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede share real-world examples of how making it about others unlocks trust, connection, and next-level leadership. Key takeaways: The more you focus on adding value to others, the more you'll receive value in return. To communicate in a way that truly resonates, make your message all about your audience, not yourself. The three questions every follower is asking about their leader: Do you care about me? Can you help me? Can I trust you? Our BONUS resource for this episode is the It's Not About You: Leadership, Communication, and Putting Others First Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/OthersFirst and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) Get John Maxwell's Every Day with Purpose online course for 75% off What Serving Others Has Taught Me Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

What sets great leaders apart in times of crisis and change? In this week's episode, John shares a powerful insight he gained from Chick-fil-A chairman Dan Cathy on the importance of self-awareness and situational awareness for leaders — especially in tough times! After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede discuss practical ways to cultivate these awarenesses as a leader. They explore how seeking honest feedback, asking thoughtful questions, and learning from role models can expand your leadership capacity. Key takeaways: Self-awareness doesn't happen in isolation—it requires the courage to invite feedback from others and the humility to receive it. Before you can lead yourself effectively, you must first know yourself authentically. Self-awareness precedes situational awareness. Situational awareness grows through experience, but you can accelerate it by asking "What would a leader I admire do in this situation?" and seeking input from trusted mentors. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Why Self-Awareness Sets Great Leaders Apart Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/SelfAware and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) The Value of Going First Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team