Principles that Guide Your Life

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

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

Ready to discover the key to getting the most benefit out of every experience? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals the two "bookends of success" that elevate your preparation and multiply your results! After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson discuss practical ways to apply John's powerful insights to your daily routines and most important goals. Key takeaways:  Preparation on the front end and reflection on the back end transform average experiences into powerful growth opportunities. Realistic thinking is the foundation of effective preparation. Your expectations determine your preparation. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Bookends of Success Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Bookend 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 High Road Leadership online course for 33% off Reflect Instead of React 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 

Brené Brown said, "Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it's the thing that's really preventing us from taking flight." And in this week's episode, John Maxwell is showing how that's true — and how acknowledging your flaws frees you to become a high road leader.  After his lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow explore practical ways to develop self-compassion, laugh at yourself, and believe in your unique potential, so you can apply John's insights to your life and leadership.   Key takeaways:  Confident humility allows you to believe in yourself while still questioning your strategies. If you don't show yourself kindness, you won't be able to extend it to anyone else. The world needs you to embrace your humanness and step fully into your unique leadership greatness.  Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Acknowledge Your Humanness Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Acknowledge 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!)  Listen to John Maxwell's song, "Get Over Myself"  How to Be a Relatable Leader Podcast Episode  Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team 

Leading on the high road will always cost more than you think — but it will always be worth it. In this week's episode, John Maxwell prepares you for the price of leading with integrity and conviction! After his lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow share practical takeaways from John's insights so you can apply them in your life and leadership.  Key takeaways:  — Expect that the first time you pay the price will be the hardest.  — Your account is never fully paid. High road leadership requires ongoing sacrifice.  — The high road may cost you ground, power, money or celebrity. But you'll gain immeasurable growth, strength, true wealth and credibility in return.  Our BONUS resource for this episode is the What to Expect When You Take the High Road Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/WhatToExpect 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, 26 Things to Stop Doing in 2026. 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!)  Strength and Resilience in Leadership Podcast Episode  Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team 

It's easy to value people you like. But as a leader, affirming people's worth isn't an option — even if you don't see eye to eye. In this week's episode, John Maxwell is sharing 4 practical ways you can develop the all-important skill of uplifting and valuing others! After John's lesson, Mark Cole challenges you with 3 others-focused tasks to complete in the week to come so that you can apply this principle in your life and leadership. Key takeaways:   High road leaders value all people equally, even those different from them. Valuing people yields relational, emotional, and leadership returns.  Valuing people is an intentional action, not a feeling. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Great Leaders Value All People Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/ValueAllPeople 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 Heart of Leadership Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team

Do you know why you want to lead? What drives your interactions with people? These are critical questions every leader must ask themselves for the good of those they lead — and in today's episode, John Maxwell is walking you through how to examine your motives as a leader! After John's lesson, Mark Cole unpacks John's teaching points so you can apply them directly to your life and leadership. Key takeaways: Motivation is about mutual advantage and empowering people, while manipulation is about personal gain and controlling people. Most aspiring leaders want to lead and be loved, but sometimes, they are mutually exclusive. To keep your leadership motives in check, regularly serve others without a title or position. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Your Motives Matter Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/MotivesMatter 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!) Discover how to stop shrinking & start owning your life with Thanh Nguyen's Unshrink Yourself 6 Steps to Successful Personal Change (Part 1) Podcast Episode Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team