Are you leading with joy, or just surviving? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals eight essential ways to maximize your joy, showing how intentional living shapes your leadership journey.

After John's lesson, Mark Cole and Traci Morrow unpack the practical steps you can take to apply these principles in your own leadership.

Key takeaways:

• Joy is found in the journey, not the destination—and it starts with living intentionally and defining your purpose.

• Growth, daily self-improvement, and a focus on adding value to others are core ingredients for a fulfilling leadership life.

• Surrounding yourself with a balanced team and staying in your strength zone amplifies both your personal impact and your collective results.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Maximize Your Joy (Part 1) Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Joy 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 15 Laws of Growth online course for 80% off

Apply this week's episode with other growth-minded leaders in the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Social Community

Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!)

How to Surround Yourself with Great People (Parts 1 & 2) Podcast Episodes

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How much do you really care for the people you lead—and what does your preparation say about it? In this week's episode, John Maxwell reveals why genuine care can only be expressed through the discipline of preparation, and how your commitment to leading others starts long before you ever enter the room.

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson dive into real-world strategies and personal stories to ensure you can put John's principles into practice right away.

Key takeaways:

• If you only "wing it," you may get by—but you'll never break into the top tier of impactful leadership; true excellence demands intentional effort and preparation.

• Every leader carries both a "best message" (what you share in the moment) and a "big message" (the essence of who you are), and intentional preparation helps you clarify and amplify both.

• Setting your internal standard higher than external applause empowers you to lead with integrity, grow continuously, and serve those you influence at the highest level.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Preparing Is Caring Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Prepare 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

Apply this week's episode with other growth-minded leaders in the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Social Community

Accelerate your growth with the Maxwell Leadership App (start your 7-day free trial today with code PODCAST7!)

Episode 400: How to Use Failure for Success Podcast Episode

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Discover one of the great leadership paradoxes: the surprising growth that comes from serving others. In this week's episode, John Maxwell teaches how putting others first unlocks unexpected personal development and deeper self-understanding.

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson dive into real-world ways to apply these transformative insights, offering strategies to help you lead with greater impact starting today.

Key takeaways:

• When leaders intentionally serve others, they gain profound insights about their own motives, abilities, and growth areas.

• True leadership begins when you shift from seeking followers for your vision to helping others achieve their own potential.

• Valuing and serving your team transforms relationships, elevates teamwork, and empowers everyone to reach greater heights together.

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the How Serving Others Unlocks Self-Discovery Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Others 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 Change Your World online course for 66% off

What Serving Others Has Taught Me Podcast Episode

It's Not About You: Leadership, Communication, and Putting Others First Podcast Episode

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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