“CHARACTER can make you or break you. I have known people who were professionally competent and had a great attitude, but suffered from lack of character. You see, it is a quality underpinned by consistency. You have got to be consistent in your behavior and actions, doing it “right” every time so that others come to trust and believe in you. A deficiency of character automatically disqualifies you from becoming the leader in your field that you want to be. Think of character as that essential ingredient that makes you the speaker, the trainer, the coach that others value and seek out.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“The position does not make you a leader. The title, the promotion, the fancy corner office does not make you a leader. No, it is relationships with people that are the foundation, the very heart of leadership. Have you ever worked for someone you didn’t like? It’s difficult, isn’t it? On the other hand, the leader you will follow anywhere and everywhere is one you know cares about you, and values you. This person has your best interests at heart. It is the leader who comes alongside to help you improve and grow.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“We have many years to eat and sleep, but how many years do we have to make a difference in the lives of others? That’s the highest calling any of us can have: Living our life so as to intentionally add value to others. But to do this, we have to make ourselves more valuable. We have to keep learning, growing, developing as leaders and taking responsibility for being the change we want to see in the world.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“COMPETENCE inspires 'followship'. It is a quality that goes beyond words. It is the ability to say it, plan it, and do it in such a way that others know that you know how - and know that they want to follow you. This knowledge is the essence of leadership. Seeing what needs to happen and being able to make it happen when it really counts makes you a leader of high competence. And you will inspire and motivate your followers to perform at a high level.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“COURAGE isn’t an absence of fear. It is doing what you are afraid to do, letting go of the familiar and forging ahead into new territory. What I have discovered is that the best leaders have the courage to act - are willing to take the risk, make the statement, point the way, lead the way - when others hesitate out of fear. Effective leadership requires the ability to stand up, stand out, and the conviction to do it. I have never known a successful leader that was not courageous.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“RELATIONSHIPS are the glue that holds people together. Leaders understand the value of relationships because they know that leadership is influence. And the core of influence is connecting positively with people - intentionally forging relationships. This is at the heart of becoming the leader that others willingly follow. The key to building relationships is making a difference in the lives of others – adding value to them.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“LISTENING is an important subject. I have learned that the great leaders have a three-step process: They listen, they learn, and, only after that, do they lead. And they don’t wait for their people to come to them - they go to where their people are. They find them, they give them a listening ear, and then they guide them to where they should go.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“Fear is interest paid on a debt you may not owe.” – John Maxwell
"You'll never experience the joy that comes only from relationships unless you're willing to give trust a try." - John Maxwell
"Connecting is the key to Influence.
Influence is the key to Leading.
Leading is the key to Success!"
~ John C. Maxwell
"One of the three Basic Truths about Leadership Influence is that we have to work to earn the influence we desire. I would add a corollary to this: Regardless of the venue wherein we seek to have leadership influence, one way we earn it is by providing our followers with a sense of SECURITY. We leverage security through interpersonal relationships, empowerment, and making a difference in their lives by adding value." ~ John C. Maxwell
“If you don't have peace, it isn't because someone took it from you; you gave it away. You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you.”― John C. Maxwell
“SELF-DISCIPLINE, more than any other personal quality I can think of, is the one thing that separates successful people from the unsuccessful. Think of all it encompasses: honoring commitments, promises and deadlines, keeping your life on schedule, being willing to go the extra mile… Self-discipline is essential to success. The alternative is a life ruled by emotions, and none of us can afford that if we’re going to fulfill our purpose and realize our potential.” ~ John C. Maxwell.
“A successful person finds the right place for himself. But a successful leader finds the right place for others.” ~ John Maxwell
“TEACHABILITY, the pathway of learning, is an indispensable quality of a leader. But what few people realize is that teachability is also an attitude. It’s a way of thinking and always being open to new experiences, ideas and changes. It is the desire to listen, learn and apply, the hunger to discover and grow. Unless we are teachable, we will continue to live within boundaries that hold us back from becoming a leader of great influence.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“Successful people do the things that unsuccessful people are unwilling to do. —JOHN C. MAXWELL”
“Unlike the stock market world, there are no successful “day traders” in leadership development. What matters most is what you do to grow, day after day, over the long haul. And while it is true that some people are born with more natural leadership ability than others, all of us can learn the skills that make a great leader. It is simply a matter of choice: Will I make the best use of my time to develop my leadership potential, or will I choose an easier path than the daily discipline of personal growth?” ~John C. Maxwell
“Followers are always watching what you do. And people do what people see! If you are a leader seeking to make your vision come alive, then there is no better way to accomplish this than by living it: Modeling your expectations, setting the example by your actions, and showing the way through leading. Your followers, who are watching, will see in you the living picture of the vision, and you will produce the energy, motivation and passion to keep it going.” ~John C. Maxwell.
“Inexperienced leaders are quick to lead before knowing anything about the people they intend to lead. But mature leaders listen, learn, and then lead. This is because they understand that their foremost responsibility is to connect with people - but they can’t go down that path successfully unless they first ask questions, listen carefully, and let what they learned guide their leadership connection. Great leaders are listeners, and great listening is fueled by curiosity. If you don’t know your people, you won’t ever be the leader you want to be.” ~John C. Maxwell
“Advice is what we ask for when we already knew the answer but wish we didn't.” ― John C. Maxwell
"Attitude is one of the most contagious qualities a human being possesses. People with good attitudes tend to make people around them feel more positive. Those with a terrible attitude tend to bring others down. The leader who makes it a priority to project optimism, no matter how tough the going gets, is one who transmits hopefulness to followers. But hang around a doomsday leader for a while, and see how upbeat you feel. My advice: Take an attitude temperature check and see what people are catching from you!"~ John C. Maxwell
"People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude." ~ John C. Maxwell
"If you believe in others, they will believe in themselves. A high belief in people is the main ingredient for empowering others. Empowerment by a leader says, 'I trust you, I have faith and confidence that you can handle the responsibility I am turning over to you.' Think about the impact of this message. It has the potential to not only change your life, but the leader’s as well. You come to believe in yourself and what you are capable of, while the leader, by giving power away, becomes larger through the process." ~ John C. Maxwell
“Questions unlock and open doors that otherwise remain closed.” ~ John C. Maxwell
"Integrity is not what we do as much as who we are. It is an inner compass that people are quick to pick up on. It is a quality that makes a person “whole” and allows him to be identified by his single mindedness. Leaders with integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. They wear the mantle of authenticity because they know their first responsibility is to be good people. Their trustworthiness is the basis of developing relationships and building influence. If a leader lacks integrity, he will not have followers for long." ~ John C. Maxwell
The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one. ~ JOHN C. MAXWELL
Building your legacy is a marathon. It is not a quick dash, a sprint to a good place. No, it is built step-by-step with values, principles and teaching. If you want to create a leadership legacy, you need to live it first. You must become what you desire to see in others. Then you put your organization of followers into a position of being able to do great things without you. You empower others to carry on. A leader’s lasting value is measured by intentional succession." – John C. Maxwell
If you don’t change the direction you are going, then you’re likely to end up where you’re heading. ~ JOHN C. MAXWELL
"There is no quicker way to earn respect as a leader than being slow to speak. It is called listening and it plays a big role in what I call “The Law of Connection.” How will you know what is important to people unless you ask and listen to the answers? If you prove to be a leader who solicits feedback and pays attention to what’s being said, then you will earn your connection and your followers will respect the guidance you give." ~ John C. Maxwell
“People don’t follow people by accident. They follow individuals whose leadership they respect. Unlike charisma that will let you through the door, respect guarantees that the room will be full of your followers. You have earned their respect by your talent, your successful work, and your loyalty to them. But mostly, they respect you because of your dedication to adding value and making a difference in their lives.” ~ John C. Maxwell
Leaders are stewards of vision. They reach out to their followers with words that describe the vision, but they paint a picture of it with their actions. It is not enough to talk about it; the vision must come alive with the “how” as modeled by the leader. Followers may doubt what their leaders say, but they usually believe, and imitate, what they do.” ~ John C. Maxwell
“First, when we are busy, we naturally believe that we are achieving. But busyness does not equal productivity. Activity is not necessarily accomplishment. Second, prioritizing requires leaders to continually think ahead, to know what's important, to know what's next, and to see how everything relates to the overall vision. That's hard work. Third, prioritizing causes us to do things that are at the least uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful.” ~ John Maxwell
“Connecting always requires energy. You have to interact with people, conversing, collaborating and sharing ideas. You have to communicate on a level that everyone understands, listening and processing what others are saying. You have to be willing to say things and do things that add value to people. All of this takes energy. You can’t sit back and coast and expect to connect.” ~ John C. Maxwell
”Being organized gives a sense of power…and it should. It means you are on top of things: You are prepared and ready to be successful as you take on that difficult task. It means you have chosen to use time wisely and help your team by making something complex into something simple. Being organized is the hallmark of the productive, self-motivated leader who is ready to move on and up to a more significant level of leadership.” ~ John C. Maxwell
”Leaders think differently. They think in terms of resources and how to maximize them. They realize of course, that their number one resource is their followers. And so they are always seeking the best and highest course for their people. Who needs encouragement, self-development, or empowerment to help fulfill their potential? Who can take on a challenge, a problem or an opportunity and make it a learning experience that benefits the organization? Leaders enlarge others by adding value.” ~ John C. Maxwell
"The most important quality of a well-grounded person is humility." ~John Maxwell
“Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. Don’t ever underestimate the power of planning. You can’t make your vision come to life unless you outline each goal-driven step at a time. And you can’t reach your full potential unless you plan how to make the most of your purpose and passion. When you look around and see people who are the captains of their ship, invariably they have taken pains to chart their successful course through life.” ~ John C. Maxwell
” Although growth begins inwardly, it must be proved outwardly. And one of the best ways that leaders demonstrate self-growth is developing others. The leader who becomes a role model, coach or mentor takes on that responsibility with the idea of making a difference in the life of another. You cannot add value to other people unless you are willing to invest in their potential, and walk beside them on the journey.” – John C. Maxwell
A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position. —John Maxwell
“To be a more effective communicator try the following steps: simplify your message, see the person, show the truth and seek a response.” ~ John C. Maxwell
"Value transparency. If you're honest with people and admit your weaknesses, they appreciate your honesty." ~ John C Maxwell