“A visionary company is like a great work of art. Think of Michelangelo’s scenes from Genesis on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or his statue of David. Think of a great and enduring novel like Huckleberry Finn or Crime and Punishment. Think of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony or Shakespeare’s Henry V. Think of a beautifully designed building, like the masterpieces of Frank Lloyd Wright or Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. You can’t point to any one single item that makes the whole thing work; it’s the entire work—all the pieces working together to create an overall effect—that leads to enduring greatness.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“a smart person believes only half of what he hears, but a really smart person knows which half to believe.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“And you will have greater credibility with your leader if you admit your shortcomings and refrain from making excuses.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“In most cases, those who want power probably shouldn't have it, those who enjoy it probably do so for the wrong reasons, and those who want most to hold on to it don't understand that it's only temporary.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Maturity is the ability to see and act on behalf of others. Immature people don’t see things from someone else’s point of view. They rarely concern themselves with what’s best for others. In many ways, they act like small children.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Our problems are no longer problems when we seek learning instead of leisure.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“In ancient China the people wanted security against the barbaric hordes to the north, so they built the great wall. It was so high they believed no one could climb over it and so thick nothing could break it down. They settled back to enjoy their security. During the first hundred years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times. Not once did the barbaric hordes break down the wall or climb over it. Each time they bribed a gatekeeper and then marched right through the gates. The Chinese were so busy relying on the walls of stone that they forgot to teach integrity to their children.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Write down somewhere in the margins on this page your answer to this question: How have you changed . . . lately? In the last week, let’s say? Or in the last month? The last year? Can you be very specific? Or must your answer be incredibly vague? You say you’re growing. Okay . . . how? “Well,” you say, “In all kinds of ways.” Great! Name one. You see, effective teaching comes only through a changed person. The more you change, the more you become an instrument of change in the lives of others. If you want to become a change agent, you also must change.2 Change the leader—change the organization.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“If you don’t like the crop you are reaping, check the seed you are sowing.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“You must reject common thinking if you want to accomplish uncommon results.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“I got to the top the hard way—fighting my own laziness and ignorance every step of the way.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Good leadership isn’t about advancing yourself. It’s about advancing your team.
―
John C. Maxwell
“When you give of yourself, it benefits you, the organization, and the receiver.”
―
John C. Maxwell
