This week, we have a couple exciting things for you! First off, next week we release the audiobook of the 25th year anniversary edition of John’s most popular book of all time, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership! This book has sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide, and has impacted countless growing leaders over the past 25 years. This audiobook releases on May 31, and the hardback releases on June 13! So, to celebrate this release, we’re beginning a series on one of the most important laws of leadership from the book: The Law of Connection, which states that you must touch a heart before you ask for a hand. This is a law about relationships and adding value to the people you serve. Also, joining Mark Cole as co-host this week is the one and only Becky Bursell! In addition to being EVP of Personal Growth Solutions at Maxwell Leadership, Becky is on the Forbes’ Coaches Council, she’s the founder of Greatest Version of You, she’s a public speaker, and a business coach, and we could not be more excited to have her on the podcast!  Our BONUS resource for this series is the Law of Connection Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Connection and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.”  References:  Watch this episode on YouTube!   21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (25th Anniversary Edition)   21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Online Course Pre-Order   Relevant Episode: The Communication Shift: Directing to Connecting   The Maxwell Leadership Online Store 

The Law of Connection (Part 1)

As a leader yourself, you may know how difficult it can be to lead an unmotivated team, and how fulfilling it can be to lead a passionate team. So, how does a leader like yourself motivate the people you lead to create powerful, positive impact?  Today, John Maxwell will teach you about motivation and the 4 P’s that inspire effort in your team. After John’s lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow––the master of motivation herself––will dive into John’s lesson and offer practical, intentional ways you can apply these principles to your life.  Our BONUS resource for this episode is the “Motivation: How Leaders Inspire Effort Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by clicking “Download the Bonus Resource” below.   References:  Watch this episode on YouTube!   Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn (For Teens) by John C. Maxwell (use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off this week only.)   Relevant Episode: Ten Maxims for Motivation  C.L.E.A.R powered by Maxwell Leadership  The John Maxwell Online Store   

Motivation: How Leaders Inspire Effort

Today we’re talking about the Essentials of Opportunity. As leaders, we’re all looking for the next opportunity. But, how skilled are you at finding new opportunities? Sometimes it’s easier to find what you’re looking for when you have a clear picture of it, and today that is exactly what John Maxwell is delivering. Today, John shares 9 observations about the nature of opportunity, then Mark Cole and Chris Goede join to discuss John’s lesson and offer application for you to apply these principles and become a master at finding new opportunities. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the “Essentials of Opportunity Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Opportunity and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  How Successful People Think by John C. Maxwell (use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off this week only)  Relevant Episode: Players vs. Pretenders Series The John Maxwell Online Store

Essentials of Opportunity

John Maxwell says, “What we appreciate appreciates, and what we depreciate depreciates.” That’s why this week we’re talking about one of the most important components of leadership––gratitude. Gratitude helps leaders by eliminating self-sabotaging traits and providing a greater perspective.   After John’s lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow come back to offer some application and share how they are applying John’s teaching to their own lives and leadership.  Our BONUS resource for this episode is the “Leading with Gratitude Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Gratitude and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.”  References:  Watch this episode on YouTube   The 360° Leader by John C. Maxwell (Use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off this week only)  CLEAR powered by Maxwell Leadership   The Maxwell Leadership Online Store 

Leading with Gratitude

That’s right! It’s the 200th episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast! And, what a journey it has been. This week, John Maxwell and Mark Cole celebrate the big 2-0-0 by looking back on all that has happened between Episode 1 and Episode 200. One thing is for sure––this podcast would not be what it is today without you! On behalf of our whole team, thank you to all the leaders who listen to this podcast and make it what it is today! Thank you for listening, sharing, liking, commenting, and reviewing. But most of all, thank you for being a growing leader who applies these principles to your own leadership in order to create powerful, positive impact in your world! Rather than our weekly bonus resource, we have a surprise for our first 200 listeners. So, be sure to listen to the end and take advantage our special gift to you! This episode is dedicated to Jason Brooks and Richard Chancy––two men who unlocked the brilliance in others through their friendship and leadership. You are dearly missed! References: Watch this episode on Youtube! Listen to the podcast by calling in on your phone: +1 (848) 204-2462  Change Your World by John C. Maxwell (use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off this week only) MaxwellLeadership.com

Episode 200! Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future

This week we are finishing our series on Building a Diverse Team. Last week, John talked about common barriers that get in the way of building a diverse team. This week, John teaches on the benefits of building a diverse team. There are so many leaders who would rather build a team of people who look, think, and act like themselves. But, building a diverse team will always take you further, make you better, and increase your reach. After John’s lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede explore John’s teaching together and offer some ways you can apply it to your own leadership. They also discuss the vital role diversity plays in creating powerful, positive impact in your organization and your community. Our BONUS resource for this series is the “Building a Diverse Team Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Diverse and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  Leadershift by John C. Maxwell (15% off at check with code PODCAST this week only)  A Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin  Relevant Episode: Takeaways from Doris Kearns Goodwin  Relevant Series: Players vs. Pretenders The John Maxwell Online Store

Building a Diverse Team (Part 2)

Do you ever have trouble gaining the right perspective in your business, your leadership, or your life? When you possess an accurate perspective, you can more easily identify key problems and, more importantly, identify key solutions in your leadership. But perspective isn’t gained alone. You need people on your team who think, look, and act differently than you do. You need diversity on your team. This week on the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, we begin a new series on building a diverse team. That’s because diversity is an asset to any leader that wants to create powerful, positive change in their organization or community. In part one of this series, John Maxwell shares the barriers that often get in the way of building diverse teams. During the application portion of the episode, Mark Cole and Chris Goede discuss John’s lesson and how the fear of conflict can get in the way of building diverse teams. If you want to build and unleash an all-star team in your organization, you do not want to miss this series. Our BONUS resource for this series is the “Building a Diverse Team Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Diverse and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  Leadershift by John C. Maxwell (15% off at check with code PODCAST this week only)  A Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin  Relevant Episode: Takeaways from Doris Kearns Goodwin  Relevant Series: Players vs. Pretenders The John Maxwell Online Store

Building a Diverse Team (Part 1)

Leaders, if you’re looking to lead powerful, positive change in yourself or your organization, it can be hard to know where to start. John Maxwell says that everything begins with a thought, which is why leaders need to examine their thinking. What you think determines what you do and who you are. In this episode, John Maxwell teaches how changing your thinking can change your life. After John’s lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow discuss how they implement John’s principles into their own life, and they also offer you some real-world application. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the “Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Think and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on Youtube!  Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell (use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off this week only) CLEAR by Maxwell Leadership The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast in Spanish ((Podcast de Liderazgo de John Maxwell por Juan Vereeken) The John Maxwell Online Store

Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

This week, we are beyond excited to continue our March Madness series on Coach John Wooden. Mark Cole is once again joined by our special guest, Don Yaeger, who is back to share what he gleaned from his mentorship with Coach Wooden. For those who don’t know, Don is the author of more than 35 books, eleven of which have become New York Times Best-sellers. He has written books with NFL icons like Walter Payton, Warrick Dunn, Michael Oher, and even John Wooden himself! He is a dear friend of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast and of John Maxwell, so we are extremely happy to have Don back for our post game discussion. Our BONUS resource for this series is the ‘Why John Wooden’s Team Won Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Win and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Corporate Competitor Podcast  The Road to JOY by Scott Drew with Don Yaeger A Game Plan for Life by John Wooden with Don Yaeger  Relevant Episode: You Are Worth it With Kyle Carpenter Relevant Episode: John Maxwell on the Corporate Competitor Podcast

Why John Wooden's Team Won (Part 2)

As many of our U.S. listeners may know, we are in the middle of the famed March Madness college basketball tournament, where some of the best college athletes and coaches have marked their place in sports history. This week we begin a two-part series in which we celebrate one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time, John Wooden, who was a friend and mentor of John Maxwell as well as today’s guest co-host, Don Yaeger. If that name sounds familiar to you, that’s because we’ve had Don on the podcast before. Don is the author of more than 35 books, eleven of which have become New York Times Best-sellers. He has written books with NFL icons like Walter Payton, Warrick Dunn, and Michael Oher, among many others including, you guessed it, John Wooden! Like John Maxwell, Don was mentored by John Wooden over the span of 12 years. Don is a celebrated storyteller, and you certainly don’t want to miss the stories he shares in this series! Our BONUS resource for this series is the “Why John Wooden’s Team Won Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Win and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Corporate Competitor Podcast Relevant Episode: John Maxwell on the Corporate Competitor Podcast  Relevant Episode: You Are Worth it With Kyle Carpenter  The Road to JOY by Scott Drew with Don Yaeger A Game Plan for Life by John Wooden with Don Yaeger

Why John Wooden's Team Won (Part 1)

This week, we are continuing with part two of our series on Players vs. Pretenders. In this lesson, John talks about integrity, making hard choices, and finishing strong. You definitely don’t want to miss this lesson! For the application portion of this episode, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow dive into how they apply John’s principles in their own leadership, and they offer some application to help you take this lesson and make it a reality in your own life. Our BONUS resource for this series is the “Players vs. Pretenders Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Player and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Listen to this episode on YouTube!  The Leader’s Greatest Return by John C. Maxwell (Use code PODCAST for 15% off at checkout this week only)  Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell The John Maxwell Online Store

Players Vs. Pretenders (Part 2)

Let me ask you a question: are you a player, or are you a pretender? Sometimes it can be harder to see the difference in ourselves than it is to see it others. So, today we begin a series in which John Maxwell teaches the difference between players and pretenders and how the world needs more leaders who will lead authentically and add value to their people. For the application portion of the episode, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow will be back to deep dive into John’s lesson and offer some application for you to apply this to your own life and leadership! They also have a special offer just for you, plus they read a comment from one of our listeners in the Philippines! Our BONUS resource for this series is the “Players vs. Pretenders Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Player and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource. References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  The Leader’s Greatest Return by John C. Maxwell (use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off. Only valid March 9 – March 16, 2022)  Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell  Relevant Episode: How to Become a Life-Long Learner  Relevant Episode: The DNA of Great Decision Making  Relevant Episode: The Price Tag of Leadership

Players Vs. Pretenders (Part 1)

This week we are talking about making a difference in your world. Whether that be in your business, family, or community, we believe that big change starts with people like you––with leaders like you. In this episode, John Maxwell will share the most important attributes a leader must possess in order to be a difference maker. For the application portion of this episode, Mark Cole and Chris Goede examine some of these key attributes in their own leadership and in those they lead. If you want to make a difference, but feel like you don’t know how, don’t miss this episode! Our BONUS resource for this episode is the “Are You a Difference Maker Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Difference and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  Change Your World by John C. Maxwell (Use code PODCAST at check out for 15% off this week only)  ChangeYourWorld.com  Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell The John Maxwell Online Store

Are You a Difference Maker?

Last weekend we celebrated John Maxwell’s 75th birthday! As you can imagine, there was a lot to celebrate! So, we thought this week we would share a lesson with you from John about why his life has compounded (and continues to compound) into a story of great impact.   After John’s lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow join to discuss John’s lesson and offer some ways to apply these principles to your own life and leadership.  Our BONUS resource for this episode is the “Why My Life if Compounding Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Compound and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.”   References:  Watch this episode on Youtube!   Today Matters by John C. Maxwell (Use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off this week only)  The John Maxwell Team   Relevant Episode: Live in Atlanta with Marcus Buckingham  The John Maxwell Online Store 

Why My Life is Compounding

This week we are finishing up our series on How to Gain Influence. John Maxwell is going to teach you six more ways to grow your influence as a leader and make a greater impact with more people. After John’s lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede will be back to discuss John’s lesson and offer some ways for you to apply these principles to your own leadership. Our BONUS resource for this series is the How to Gain Influence Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Gain and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  Developing the Leader Within You Online Course (Use code PODCAST for 20% off this week only). Love Works Digital Course by Joel Manby (Pre-order) Exchange Event 2022 Donald Miller  Relevant Episode: Your Influence Inventory  Relevant Episode: Make Winning a Habit

How to Gain Influence (Part 2)

Today we’re talking about something everyone has and everyone wants more of. That’s influence. John Maxwell says that leadership is influence––nothing more, nothing less. And if you’re going to lead others you need to gain influence. So, today John is going to begin this two-part series on how to gain more influence so that you can up-level your own leadership with those you lead.   For the application portion of the episode, Mark Cole and Chris Goede discuss John’s lesson and offer some ways in which you can apply these principles to your own leadership! Our BONUS resource for this series is the “How to Gain Influence Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Gain and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube  Developing the Leader Within You Online Course (Use code PODCAST for 20% off this week only). Love Works Digital Course by Joel Manby (Pre-order) Exchange Event 2022 Donald Miller  Relevant Episode: Your Influence Inventory  Relevant Episode: Make Winning a Habit

How to Gain Influence (Part 1)

Today, we’re going to talk about all your mistakes! Just kidding! We’re actually going to talk about how to make the most of your mistakes! John, as well as any successful leader, will tell you that if you’re going to be successful, you need to stop fearing failure. Sometimes mistakes teach us our greatest lessons. That’s why we need to start thinking of our mistakes as assets, not liabilities. After John teaches how to make the most of our mistakes, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow join to discuss times when they’ve made the most of their mistakes and how to apply the principles from John’s lesson into your own life and leadership. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Making the Most of Our Mistakes Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Mistake and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn by John C. Maxwell (use code PODCAST for %15 off)  Relevant Episode: Redefining Failure  Relevant Episode: Failure is Not Final The John Maxwell Online Store

Making the Most of Our Mistakes

If you’re a leader, you’re a creator! This week on The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast, John talks about the things leaders create in their organizations and in their people. They create confidence, ideas, strategy, and options. After John’s lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede will offer some ways you can apply John’s lesson to your own life and leadership. They discuss how many leaders are the most creative when they are working in their strength zone, and how leaders who don’t think of themselves as creative need to be reminded to get back into their strength zone. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the “Leaders are Creators Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Create and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Online Course  Change Your World by John C. Maxwell  Relevant Episode: Focus on the Future  Relevant Episode: The Leader’s Greatest  Relevant Episode: Encouragement Changes Everything

Leaders are Creators

This week, we are back with part two of John Maxwell’s incredible lesson on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. If you missed part one, please go back and listen because there is some great wisdom that you can learn as a transformational leader in that episode. And this week, there is even more! As John finishes his talk on Dr. King’s life and leadership, John shares the final three points on how leaders can create positive change in their world and their community. During the application portion of this episode, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow dive into a leader’s crucial ability to move others to act. They discuss how leaders have the tendency to either be task-oriented or relationship-oriented, and how a leader needs to balance and leverage both in order to create positive change within their organization and their community. Our BONUS resource for this series is the “Creating Positive Change Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/MLK and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Watch this episode on YouTube!  The Leader’s Greatest Return by John C. Maxwell  The 21 Laws Online Course  Relevant Episode: Achieving the Legacy You Want to Leave  Relevant Episode: Leader’s Listen with Simon Sinek The John Maxwell Online Store

Creating Positive Change: A Lesson on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Part 2)

Today we are so excited to introduce an impactful, two-part series. As you may know, this coming Monday, we get to celebrate the great life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. So, our team decided we would celebrate Dr. King on the podcast by sharing this lesson that John Maxwell gave at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King pastored and influenced so many people to create positive change in our country. John was especially honored to have Coretta Scott King and Bernice King present for this talk, along with many other influential world changers. During this talk, John uses Dr. King’s life as an example of how great leaders can create positive change.     During the application portion of this episode, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow reflect on John’s lesson and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. They discuss how MLK was the shining example of a leader who listens and inspires others to create positive change. More than ever before, the world needs leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., and we hope this episode will inspire you to create positive change in your own world.     Our BONUS resource for this series is the Creating Positive Change Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/MLK and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.”    References:    Watch this episode on YouTube!    Intentional Living by John C. Maxwell    The 21 Laws Online Course    Relevant Episode: Achieving the Legacy You Want to Leave    Relevant Episode: Leader’s Listen with Simon Sinek    The John Maxwell Online Store 