If I told you that the fate of the world rested on your shoulders, how would you respond? Would you take an action hero approach and confidently declare that you will handle it? Would you shrink from the responsibility and pass it on to someone else? Or would you simply shake your head, look me…

Read More

What are you doing with the opportunities in front of you? This might be the most important question for you to ask as a leader. I know that’s a bold statement, but here’s why I believe it’s true: no one can guarantee tomorrow and yesterday is too late. You don’t know when you will run…

Read More

Let me ask you a question: When was the last time something significant happened in your life that you initiated? One of the key distinguishing marks I see in successful leaders all around the world is a willingness to take initiative. Lester Wunderman was a legendary New York Ad man in the 40’s and 50’s.…

Read More

Somewhere today a young person is working hard at their desk, hoping to be considered for a promotion. Somewhere today an older person thinks about their looming retirement and hopes to find something productive to do with their next phase of life. Somewhere today, hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, dream of a…

Read More

I want to take a moment and write to the women and men who make up the 18.2 million veterans in the United States of America. Today is Veterans Day, set aside to honor those who have worn the uniforms of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps while serving our country…

Read More

If you’re human, you are going to make mistakes. I love Denis Waitley’s perspective: “Mistakes are painful when they happen, but years later a collection of mistakes is what is called experience.” John Maxwell says there are two kinds of people in regards to setbacks: splatters, who hit the bottom, fall apart and stay on…

Read More
The IF Factor

Adversity is inevitable. Challenges, setbacks, disappointment, criticism – you won’t be able to avoid these for long. The most important question is how will you respond to adversity? If there is anyone with reason enough to respond to his circumstances with a negative attitude, it’s Rob Mendez. Rob was born with what they call tetra-amelia…

Read More

Recently, my team at the John Maxwell Company introduced a new offering for beginning leaders called Permission Granted. The purpose behind it was helping new or aspiring leaders understand that they have permission to lead—from themselves, the people around them, and the world at large. We felt comfortable launching that product because we believe it…

Read More

Today, my newest book, Leadershift: 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace, finally hits shelves in stores. Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered a copy of the book or helped get the word out through social media. We’re expecting a great launch, and it’s made possible by your help and excitement. I’m also excited for…

Read More

Lately, it seems as though people are dividing themselves into categories, drawing lines between themselves and others that are increasingly harder to cross. All over the world, we are now defined largely by what separates us. As a leader, this makes for a challenging culture to navigate. One of the biggest responsibilities we have is…

Read More