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Life is going to have challenges whether we expect them or not — we might as well use them to grow. In this week's episode, John continues his lesson from last week to share a few key principles that impact the joy in your leadership journey. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow share real-life strategies to help you apply these principles in your life and leadership.  Key takeaways:  Growth happens not by avoiding adversity but by doing hard things—so you're prepared to take on even greater challenges. Leaders maximize their impact when they focus on the journey, not by keeping score, but by continually moving forward and celebrating each step.  Generosity and deep joy are fruits of a grateful mindset, reminding leaders to stay present and appreciate the opportunities in front of them.  Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Maximize Your Joy (Part 2) 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."  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 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 Acknowledge Your Humanness 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

How much do you really care for the people you lead—and what does your preparation say about it? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals why genuine care can only be expressed through the discipline of preparation, and how your commitment to leading others starts long before you ever enter the room. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson dive into real-world strategies and personal stories to ensure you can put John's principles into practice right away. Key takeaways:  If you only "wing it," you may get by—but you'll never break into the top tier of impactful leadership; true excellence demands intentional effort and preparation. Every leader carries both a "best message" (what you share in the moment) and a "big message" (the essence of who you are), and intentional preparation helps you clarify and amplify both.  Setting your internal standard higher than external applause empowers you to lead with integrity, grow continuously, and serve those you influence at the highest level. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Preparing Is Caring Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Prepare 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 Every Day with Purpose online course for 75% 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!) Episode 400: How to Use Failure for Success Podcast Episode 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 

John Maxwell shares that there's one most important quality of leadership. Do you have it? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals why humility isn't just a virtue—it's the essential ingredient for lasting influence and meaningful leadership. After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede dive into real-life examples and honest reflections, sharing how you can apply John's wisdom to multiply your impact and create sustaining influence as a leader. Key takeaways:  True humility empowers you to learn, grow, and serve others, turning challenges into opportunities for lasting impact. Leaders who balance confidence with humility create environments where influence compounds and teams thrive over time. Your willingness to be teachable and embrace gratitude—especially in adversity—is the key to both resilience and enduring success. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Cultivating Humility for Lasting Influence Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Cultivate 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 Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) Acknowledge Your Humanness Podcast Episode How to Be a Leader People Love to Follow 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

How do you earn the loyalty that supports real influence? You won't change lives or amplify your results without the ability to connect authentically. In this week's episode, John Maxwell is sharing how to do that, as he teaches the five essential qualities that define an authentic leader!  After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson provide practical strategies you can use right away to embody authenticity and deepen your impact as a leader.  Key takeaways:  Leading with heart—through empathy, courage, and genuine care—creates meaningful connections that drive lasting results. Consistently practicing transparency, humility, and good listening skills builds trust and invites collaboration. "People will walk through fire for a leader that's true and a leader that's human." — Pat Lencioni Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Qualities of an Authentic Leader Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Authentic 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 High Road Leadership online course for 33% off Get 15% off your copy of John's leadership development guide The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader now through 3/31 (use code PODCAST at checkout!) Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) Principles that Guide Your Life Podcast Episode 5 Ways to Win With People Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

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

How you see your world determines the actions you take and the results you create—what lens are you using to view your leadership? In this week's episode, John Maxwell unpacks how your perspective shapes your impact, and reveals four keys to developing a leadership lens that drives lasting effectiveness. After John's lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson dive deep into practical ways you can shift your perspective and model impactful leadership behaviors in your daily life. Key takeaways:  The most important voice you listen to is your own—guard your self-talk and ensure it builds you up rather than tears you down.  Realistic perspective is essential at every stage of success; leaders must walk slowly through the crowd, listen, and learn to stay grounded.  It's not enough to do what's best for yourself—great leadership means aligning actions with good values so everyone wins. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the The Leadership Lens: How You View Things is How You Do Things Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Lens 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 Every Day with Purpose online course for 75% off Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) What You Focus on Expands (Parts 1 & 2) Podcast Episodes Acknowledge Your Humanness 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

Last week, John Maxwell shared three of his six insights for surrounding yourself with people who can accelerate your growth journey. In this week's episode, John Maxwell is revealing the last three, so you can get yourself around great people!  After his lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow unpack John's lesson so you can apply these principles in your own leadership. Key takeaways:  Being unforgettable isn't about showing off—it's about finding innovative ways to serve others and do for them what they can't do for themselves.  True vision matures when you move from "me" to "we," inviting participation and building energy that attracts great people to your cause.  Leadership influence grows when your inner character and spirit outshine outward achievements. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Part 2) 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." 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 Future of Executive Partnership: Why AI Isn't Enough. Just text MAXWELL to 55123 for FREE access. References:  Watch this episode on YouTube! Get the Change Your World online course for 66% off Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) 5 Ways to Win With People Podcast Episode 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

What defines the world you create with your leadership? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals the ten guiding principles that have anchored his life and success for more than four decades!  After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson dive into real-life strategies that help you put John's principles to work in your own leadership journey.  Key takeaways:  Your attitude is a daily choice that sets the ceiling for your potential.  Personal growth always precedes professional advancement; who you are determines how far you can go.  Helping others succeed opens doors for your own success and builds lasting, meaningful relationships. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Principles that Guide Your Life Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Principles 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 High Road Leadership online course for 33% off  The Foundation of a Leader 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

How do the best leaders unlock extraordinary results in their teams? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals how empowering others not only helps them reach their potential, but also equips them to pass on that growth beyond themselves!  After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson dive into practical strategies and real-world examples to help you apply empowerment in your own leadership journey right away.  Key takeaways:  The strongest teams thrive when leaders actively demonstrate that they need their people and invite them to contribute.  Empowerment is more than delegation; it's giving team members authority, resources, and trust to lead.  "You can choose control or growth, but not both." — Craig Groeschel Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How Empowerment Fuels Team Success Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Empowerment 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 Future of Executive Partnership: Why AI Isn't Enough. Just text MAXWELL to 55123 for FREE access. References:  Watch this episode on YouTube! Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!) Three Indicators of an Empowering Leader Podcast Episode How to Live with Purpose Every Day Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team