Posts by John Maxwell
Learning from The Iron Lady
Times of crisis almost always create memories we look back on as defining moments in leadership. They send us on a trajectory, either good or bad, towards some destination. Many of us realize our “life purpose” through this kind of an experience. I’ve always loved this quote by Winston Churchill: “There comes a special moment…
Read MoreLeading Through Crisis
Recent events in Boston, MA and West, TX have reminded us of a stark reality: we cannot escape crisis situations. Although unable to avoid them, we can learn to lead people through them. In fact, dark, difficult times may be the moments when leadership is needed the most. While very few of us will ever…
Read MoreCharacter: who we are on the inside
I believe it is a normal human desire to be concerned about how we look on the outside. There’s nothing wrong with that. What can get us in trouble is worrying more about how we look on the outside than about how we really are on the inside. Our reputation comes from what others believe…
Read MoreQuotes on Encouragement
What kind of impact do you want to make in this world? Most of us desire to do something that matters, something important. I believe that people are more important than anything else on this earth. So impacting the lives of other people is one of the most significant things any one of us can…
Read MoreA Historic Transition
At the end of the Revolutionary War, King George III allegedly asked his official court painter, American-born Benjamin West, about George Washington’s plans following the war. “They say he will return to his farm,” West replied. “If he does,” the incredulous monarch remarked, “he will be the greatest man in the world.” After the defeat…
Read MoreTransition: Managing the “Ins and Outs” of Leadership
I am often asked how to successfully manage leadership transition within an organization. How do you end well? Or conversely, how do you start off on the right foot? My friend, Bob Russell, has written an excellent book, Transition Plan, on the successful leadership changeover following his 40-year tenure at Southeast Community Church in Louisville,…
Read MoreTraits of a Successful Failure
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”- Thomas A. Edison Nobody likes to fail. But if we’re honest, we understand that failure is a part of life. There is no success without some amount of failure. Great inventors like Thomas Edison experience a lot of failures on the way to…
Read MoreA New Generation of Coaching Greats
When the Final Four tips off this weekend, some familiar faces will be roaming the sidelines in Rick Pitino of Louisville and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse. Together, they have more than 1,575 career wins, have taken 48 trips to the NCAA tournament, making eleven Final Four Appearances and claiming two national titles. However, the hottest…
Read MoreWhat I'm reading, Spring 2013 edition
Well, Spring has officially arrived here in the United States. Although from what I hear, that’s not always apparent in some areas of the country. I love the feeling of new beginnings that comes with the arrival of this season, and I hope you do, too. Reading is something I make time for every day…
Read MoreCharacteristics of Successful Coaches
Successful coaches come with a variety of personalities. Mike Ditka and Bobby Knight exuded emotion whereas Phil Jackson had a stoical demeanor. Pat Summitt was the very picture of intensity, while John Madden was gregarious and affable. Geno Auriemma’s outspoken and animated style paints a stark contrast to Tom Landry’s poised and understated manner of…
Read More