Maxwell Leadership Podcast

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Become a Leader-Communicator Podcast Episode

A Leader's Greatest Enemy Podcast Episode

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What You Focus On Expands (Part 2) Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

If what you focus on expands and what you put behind you shrinks, your focus impacts the trajectory of your leadership. This week, we're continuing our two-part series where John Maxwell shares 4 things that you should focus on!

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson discuss John's insights and give you practical ways that you can apply them to your life and leadership.

Key takeaways:

Take action on things that are worthwhile.

The main difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.

Don't allow others to control your destiny.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the What You Focus on Expands (Part 2) Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Expand 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:

Enroll in the High Road Leadership online course for $199 (reg. $299)

How to Be a Leader People Love to Follow Podcast Episode

How to Develop an Abundance Mindset Podcast Episode

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Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams!

What You Focus on Expands (Part 1) Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

If what you focus on expands and what you put behind you shrinks, what should you be focusing on in your leadership? This week, we're starting a two-part series where John Maxwell answers this question and gives you 4 things that you need to put in front of you!

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson discuss what John has shared and offer you practical advice for how you can apply it to your life and leadership.

Key takeaways:

Spend time with the right people.

You equip people off of strengths; you counsel people off of weaknesses.

People need clarity and direction in their lives.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the What You Focus on Expands (Part 1) Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Expand 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 Delegation Worksheet & Guide. Just text MAXWELL to 55123 for FREE access.

References:

Enroll in the Every Day With Purpose online course for $49 (reg. $199)

The Foundation of a Leader Podcast Episode

Think Ahead with Craig Groeschel Podcast Episode

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The Value of Contextual Leadership Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

No matter what your leadership looks like, the more context you have, the better a leader you are to those around you. In this episode, John Maxwell shares a list of 9 kinds of context that empower you to make your most effective leadership decisions!

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow sit down to have a conversation about what John has shared and give you practical ways to apply it to your life and leadership.

Key takeaways:

Leaders must humbly seek information, even if it feels vulnerable.

Collaboration is so important in learning how to lead and how to make decisions.

Leaders who don't listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Value of Contextual Leadership Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Context 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:

Enroll in the 21 Laws of Leadership online course for $199 (reg. $1050)

Become a World-Class Leader Podcast Episode

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Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams!

How to Close the Thinking Gap Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

If the greatest gap between successful and unsuccessful people is the thinking gap, how can you close it? In this episode, John Maxwell is sharing the key to shrinking the distance between where you are and where you want to be!

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede sit down to talk about what John has shared and offer you practical application for your own life and leadership.

Key takeaways:

The most effective leaders give themselves permission to think about what's possible, not just what's probable.

If I think that there is an answer, I'll become a victor. If I think that there's no answer, I'll become a victim.

When facing a problem, think beyond just resolving the issue at hand. Discover solutions to eliminate the root cause and equip others to handle it in the future.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How to Close the Thinking Gap Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/ThinkingGap 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:

Enroll in the Every Day with Purpose Online Course for $49 (Regular $199)

Mindset Matters Podcast Episode

Are you a young leader? Take our Next Generation Leader survey and receive The Mentor's Guide to Everyday Challenges for FREE!

Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams!

*Never* Hire Your Friends Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

If you want to love the people you work with and lead them effectively, build a community of friendship in the workplace. In this bonus episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, Mark Cole is joined by special guest Marcylle Combs to discuss her brand-new book, Never Hire Your Friends!

Key takeaways:

Too many people say that humility is a weakness and not a strength.
Speak honesty with kindness, especially when it's going to hurt.

Having fun with your team isn't just a nice idea — it's serious business.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the *Never* Hire Your Friends Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from this teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/HireYourFriends and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource."

References:

Click here to order your copy of Marcylle's new leadership connection resource, Never Hire Your Friends!

Enroll in the Every Day with Purpose Online Course for $49 (Regular $199)

Mindset Matters Podcast Episode

Are you a young leader? Take our Next Generation Leader survey and receive The Mentor's Guide to Everyday Challenges for FREE!

Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams!

Watch thisepisode on YouTube!

Turn Bad into Better: How to Grow From Tough Experiences Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

How can you take something bad and make it better? In today's episode, John C. Maxwell answers this question and shares a lesson on how you can grow from tough experiences!

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson sit down to discuss what John shared and give you practical ways to apply it to your life and leadership.

Key takeaways:

Be intentional in your personal time to do something that will make you better.
People need encouragement and added value more during difficult times than in any other time.

What action will I take to improve my situation?

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Turn Bad into Better: How to Grow From Tough Experiences Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/BadtoBetter 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:

Enroll in the 15 Laws of Growth Online Course for $99 (Regular $499)

What All Leaders Have in Common Podcast Episode

How to Lead in Difficult Times Podcast Episode

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Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams!

How to Be a Relatable Leader May 28, 2025

Show notes

The greatest way to identify with other people is to say, "I know what you're going through." In today's episode, John C. Maxwell is sharing a lesson on how you can be a relatable leader for the people around you!

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede sit down to have a conversation on what John has shared, as well as offer you practical leadership wisdom and application.

Key takeaways:

Adversity makes you relatable to others.

Success and failure are not opposites.

Wisdom always comes out of crisis.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How to Be a Relatable Leader Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Relatable 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:

Enroll in the 21 Laws of Leadership Online Course for $199 (Regular $1,050)

Get your copy of No Limits by John C. Maxwell (use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off – valid until 6/3)!

Great Leaders Value People Podcast Episode

Get a Return on Failure Podcast Episode

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Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams!

The Art of Leading Complicated People (Including Yourself) with Ryan Leak May 21, 2025

Show notes

In life and in leadership, you'll meet complicated people. How do you work with them? Do you change them? Challenge them? Ignore them? Or is there a better way to approach them? In today's episode, Mark Cole and Jared Cagle are joined by Ryan Leak for a special look at his new book, How to Work with Complicated People!

Key takeaways:

Focus on influencing and serving your people rather than controlling them.
On the other side of each and every one of us is complexity.

The best leaders humbly examine themselves first.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the The Art of Leading Complicated People (Including Yourself) with Ryan Leak Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Complicated 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:

Click here to get your copy of How to Work with Complicated People. Use promo code COMPLICATED at checkout to receive $10 off your purchase plus a bonus video keynote of Ryan Leak!

Are you a young leader? Take our Next Generation Leader survey and receive The Mentor's Guide to Everyday Challenges for FREE!

Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams!

Adjust Your Way to Victory May 14, 2025

Show notes

The most effective coaches make powerful halftime adjustments. In this episode, John C. Maxwell explains the power of adaptability and how you can leverage it to adjust your way to victory!

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson have a conversation about what John has shared and offer you practical ways to apply what you've learned to your life and leadership.

Key takeaways:

You have to get a result in order to change a result.

There's a profound difference between conformity and adaptability.

Adaptability is adjusting not out of weakness, but out of strength.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Adjust Your Way to Victory Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Victory 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, 10 Strategies to Unleash Your Productivity. Just text MAXWELL to 55123 for FREE access.

References:

Enroll in the High Road Leadership Online Course for $199 (Regular $299)

How to Improve Every Day Podcast Episode

Are you a young leader? Take our Next Generation Leader survey and receive The Mentor's Guide to Everyday Challenges for FREE!

Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams!