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10 Questions with Mr. Leadership: John Maxwell


Whenever a discussion about leadership comes up in conversation, someone is always going to bring up the name John Maxwell. Maxwell, who is a trained and experienced pastor who passionately loves Christ and Kingdom work, has also greatly impacted the secular world with his leadership principles.

John has sold more than 18 million books and has trained more than 5 million leaders around the world with his non-profit organization called EQUIP. His latest book, Everyone Communicates Few Connect, shares John’s five principles and five practices for breaking the invisible barrier to leadership and personal success. You can follow John on Twitter HERE or join him on Facebook HERE.

Here are 10 questions with leader John Maxwell:

When you were growing up, is this what you thought you would be doing vocationally? If not, what did you want to do?

From my earliest memory, I’ve known that I was going to be a pastor. My brother and I even played church together when we were little. I was a senior pastor leading churches for 26 years. During that time, I felt God call me to teach leadership, which I began doing with fellow pastors. As time went by, more and business people came to learn leadership from me. I left the full-time pastorate in 1995 to teach leadership, now not only to pastors and business people, but also to educators, government leaders, and others. And through my nonprofit organization, EQUIP, we’ve been able to train millions of leaders worldwide.

What’s the most different job you’ve had from what you are doing now and how did that job help you with what you are doing now?

One of my first jobs was in a meat packing plant. And being the high-energy, curious person that I was, I wanted to learn everything I could about what we did. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the general attitude at the plant. They actually told me to slow down at my work and stop asking questions. As one worker told me, “Look, I just kill the cows and go home.”

From that experience, I realized that I wanted to be in work that was mentally stimulating and engaging with people.

Who is one person, besides Christ, who most helped to shape your leadership and how did they help you?

My father, definitely. I grew up in a leader’s household. He modeled good leadership and taught me and my brother how to lead. His influence has impacted everything I do. He’s my hero.

Besides the Bible, what is one book that has most helped to shape your thought process in life and ministry?

Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders. That’s the book that really made me aware that everything rises and falls on leadership.

What are three words other people would use to describe your work style/ethic?

Energy, passion, encouragement.

What is your greatest strength in leadership?

Understanding people and caring about them. That’s really at the heart of leadership, isn’t it? If you don’t care about people, you shouldn’t try to lead them.

What is your greatest weakness in leadership?

Hiring. I’ve made some messes there. That’s because I believe so much in people that I tend to see only the best in them. I believe anyone CAN grow, so I can make a mistake in thinking that everyone WILL grow.

What is the hardest thing you have to do in leadership?

This goes with the last question. The hardest thing for me is to realize that not everyone continues on the journey with you. Saying goodbye as I move forward and others stay behind is very sad for me. But it’s important for every leader to learn that sometimes people either can’t, won’t or shouldn’t go the whole distance with us.

What is one misconception about your position you think people in your church may have?

Of course, I’m not senior pastor anymore. I still preach several times a year for my friend Tom Mullins at Christ Fellowship in West Palm Beach, but I don’t lead anything there. But from my years of experience, I’d say that people seem to think that being the top leader in an organization means you have ultimate freedom. The reality is that if you’re doing leadership the right way, then the higher you go, the less freedom and more responsibilities you have. The path gets narrower.

If you could give one piece of advice to young leaders, from what you’ve learned by experience, what would it be?

Pay the price for growth. People won’t give you credit when you’re early in the journey, but keep growing, learning, leading. The return doesn’t often come till years later, but it’s worth the price.


Wow, did you get the education I just received from John? Has John Maxwell had the impact on you that he has had and continues to have on me as a leader?

I happen to know some from the Maxwell team will be reading this…maybe even Mr. Maxwell himself…take a couple minutes to pay tribute to him here if he has helped your leadership grow.

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Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 30 Comments

  • Chukwualuka Nnabuenyi says:

    Dr. John Maxwell is mind blowing. When I listen to him, I actually cry. Thank God you released the hidden you in you sir…it’s affecting mediocres to becomes great leaders. God bless you sir. I will like to see you face to face.

  • chazzdaddy says:

    Amazing post bro! Thanks for the insight! FYI: saw this on churchleaders.com and i clicked your link in your profile and the link doesn't work:)

    Thanks again!

    • ronedmondson says:

      Thanks man! Thanks for pointing out the Church Leaders link. I've notified them.

  • Mr. Maxwell, Your books have made a major impact on dozens of people I know. Thanks for "Failing Forward" & "21 Irrefutable Laws" in particular.

  • Robby Martin says:

    For years now, John has ignited a passion in me for leadership and seeing it done right. His mastery of the subject, and ANY audience I’ve ever seen him speak to, is unmatched. My elevator talk on who John is (yes, there are some who don’t know!) is to say he teaches the right kind of leadership because it focuses on others and their success. I am deeply indebted for the teaching John has provided me in person, and through his books. I am now fighting hard to introduce his concepts in my organization. Thank you Dr. John!

  • The book I enjoy the most is Leadership promises for every day, My wife and I read the daily devotional each day and have done so for about 7 years. We purchased it after hearing him preach at Lakewood Church. Since then I have read many more of John's books. Thanks and I praise God for you and the impact you have had to many of us leaders.

  • Dave Baldwin says:

    When my daughter was in college we would listen to John Maxwell's INJOY Life Club leadership tape series when I would drive her to or from school. It was a nine hour drive. We'd listen to a tape (yes cassette tapes) and then discuss it, then listen to another one and discuss it.
    I believe I grew in my leadership acumen and I believe that's where our daughter first cut her teeth on leadership issues in the local church. Now she's an ordained pastor leading a jr. high ministry and on the teaching team at her church.
    Blessings to John Maxwell for building into both of our lives.
    Blessings,
    Dave

  • ronedmondson says:

    Thanks Joe. Hope to connect with you again soon!

  • Cleve Edwards says:

    I received the INJOY Life Club tapes for several years. Every month when I saw one in the mail box I couldn;t wait until I could put it in the tape player and listen. Then, I would listen to it again and again. I still will take these old tapes out once in a while and listen to them again. Maxwell's tapes and his books, which I have several, have been a blessing to me. They have helped me in my leadership and I use his material in preaching and teaching often.

  • Not long ago John was at a sister Church in Knoxville and He was talking about if someone could come from Heaven and run just 1 lap and say just 1 thing to you He said "I believe that Rebekkah would say serve w/o expecting anything in return and then He told the story about How Rebekkah sa Abrahams camels now 1 camel will drink 20 gallons of water & Abraham had 10 gallongs — Rebekkah arrives and just sees the camels and begin going to the well until each 1 of the l 10 Camels had drank 20 gallons of water. I tell that story because that is the servant John is and everytime I see Him it means so much just to say Thank you for staying on my toes Thank you for helping me to grow spiritually

  • Randy Willis says:

    Almost exactly 20 years ago, I was finishing up a B.A. in Ministry degree, after responding to God's call to ministry a couple years earlier, when John Maxwell did a "Six Keys to Church Growth" seminar for my (former) denomination (I think I may still have te VHS videotape somewhere!).

    Because of that workshop, I've been a student of leadership for 20 years. Maxwell has continued to be a big part of my leadership development through the Injoy Life Club, Maximum Impact, a few seminars, and a bunch of books (including winning a free copy of "Everyone Communicate Few Connect" via Twitter).

    Thanks, John Maxwell!

  • Milton says:

    John Maxwell has and continues to be an inspiration. I began reading his books 6 years ago. I can literally draw a chart that clearly shows the impact his wisdom has had in my career; where x is the 6 years and y is the compensation/position. Awesome teacher. Awesome person.

  • Yohan Perera says:

    I was checking your blog since this morning to find out what are you going to blog about Dr. John Maxwell and finally here it is. Thank you for the hard work…

  • Jill says:

    As a female CEO of a growing ministry to moms, I've gleaned so much from John Maxwell's books and when I've heard him speak at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. Thanks John!

  • John's pithy points have help form a young leader as myself with little support from others into a leader with vision and direction. Thanks for your years of service

  • I am a Brazilian pastor and I have been very blessed by reading John Maxwell's books. There are planty of them now in Portuguese, thank God! May God bless you and him. Thanks for sharing your thoughts using tweeter and your blog.

  • @bucketree says:

    wow great questions and excellent comments, I have just been a huge fan of John since I first read developing the leader within you and 40 books later still re reading books for different seasons. So much to celebrate about having someone provide this many resources for us in business and our faith community.
    Thanks Dr Maxwell, Kiwis the world over have travelled far and wide to hear you speak and it was worth it!

  • Joseph Sangl says:

    Dr. Maxwell began mentoring me via his books as I was helping launch NewSpring Church. Perry gave me a copy of "The 21 Indispensible Qualities Of A Leader" and the lessons I began learning there have prepared me to lead today. So thankful for Dr. Maxwell.