Episodes

  • Cultivating Humility for Lasting Influence

    Cultivating Humility for Lasting Influence
    Mar 25 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • The Meaning of Your Life with Dr. Arthur C. Brooks

    The Meaning of Your Life with Dr. Arthur C. Brooks
    Mar 20 2026

    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
    Show more Show less
    40 mins
  • The Qualities of an Authentic Leader

    The Qualities of an Authentic Leader
    Mar 18 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • Success and Failure: The Partnership that Fuels Growth

    Success and Failure: The Partnership that Fuels Growth
    Mar 11 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • The Leadership Lens: How You View Things is How You Do Things

    The Leadership Lens: How You View Things is How You Do Things
    Mar 4 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • Episode 400: How to Use Failure for Success

    Episode 400: How to Use Failure for Success
    Feb 25 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Part 2)

    How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Part 2)
    Feb 18 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Part 1)

    How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Part 1)
    Feb 11 2026
    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
    Show more Show less
    45 mins