John C. Maxwell Quotes

The dreams and passions stored within hearts are powerful keys which can unlock a wealth of potential.

~ John C. Maxwell

Positional leaders ignore the fact that every person has hopes, dreams, desires, and goals of his own. And leaders must bring their vision and the aspirations of the people they lead together in a way that benefits everyone.

~ John C. Maxwell

Without failure there is no achievement.

~ John C. Maxwell

The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.

~ John C. Maxwell

Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life. Failure comes when we shrink from them.

~ John C. Maxwell

Inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons executives fail. Deficiency in decision-making ranks much higher than lack of specific knowledge or technical know-how as an indicator of leadership failure.

~ John C. Maxwell

In the end, people are persuaded not by what we say, but by what they understand.

~ John C. Maxwell

Ranking among the greatest Christmas movie classics, 'It's a Wonderful Life' tells a beautiful story about the priceless value of relationships.

~ John C. Maxwell

For more than a decade, I led an organization that put on an elaborate Christmas program each December. It was a big production, with over 250 people participating in more than 20 performances. By the end of the season, everyone who participated was exhausted.

~ John C. Maxwell

Teamwork makes the dream work, but a vision becomes a nightmare when the leader has a big dream and a bad team.

~ John C. Maxwell

If you are a leader, you should never forget that everyone needs encouragement. And everyone who receives it - young or old, successful or less-than-successful, unknown or famous - is changed by it.

~ John C. Maxwell

A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her potential.

~ John C. Maxwell

Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness.

~ John C. Maxwell

The unsuccessful person is burdened by learning, and prefers to walk down familiar paths. Their distaste for learning stunts their growth and limits their influence.

~ John C. Maxwell

Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. Priority management is the answer to maximizing the time we have.

~ John C. Maxwell

People who use time wisely spend it on activities that advance their overall purpose in life.

~ John C. Maxwell

The first time you say something, it's heard. The second time, it's recognized, and the third time it's learned.

~ John C. Maxwell

Learn to say 'no' to the good so you can say 'yes' to the best.

~ John C. Maxwell

There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. 'Good pride' represents our dignity and self-respect. 'Bad pride' is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.

~ John C. Maxwell

Good leaders must communicate vision clearly, creatively, and continually. However, the vision doesn't come alive until the leader models it.

~ John C. Maxwell

The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.

~ John C. Maxwell

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

~ John C. Maxwell

People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.

~ John C. Maxwell

Everything rises and falls on leadership.

~ John C. Maxwell

I vividly remember a conversation I had many years ago in 1974, which marked a turning point in my leadership journey. I was sitting at a Holiday Inn with my friend, Kurt Campmeyer, when he asked me if I had a personal growth plan. I didn't. In fact, I didn't even know you were supposed to have one.

~ John C. Maxwell

Look at our society. Everyone wants to be thin, but nobody wants to diet. Everyone wants to live long, but few will exercise. Everybody wants money, yet seldom will anyone budget or control their spending.

~ John C. Maxwell

Growth is the great separator between those who succeed and those who do not. When I see a person beginning to separate themselves from the pack, it's almost always due to personal growth.

~ John C. Maxwell

The best way a mentor can prepare another leader is to expose him or her to other great people.

~ John C. Maxwell

A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.

~ John C. Maxwell

The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.

~ John C. Maxwell

Failed plans should not be interpreted as a failed vision. Visions don't change, they are only refined. Plans rarely stay the same, and are scrapped or adjusted as needed. Be stubborn about the vision, but flexible with your plan.

~ John C. Maxwell

As a leader, the first person I need to lead is me. The first person that I should try to change is me.

~ John C. Maxwell