“Several years ago Dr. Maxwell Maltz’s book, Psycho-Cybernetics, was one of the most popular books on the market. Dr. Maltz was a plastic surgeon who often took disfigured faces and made them more attractive. He observed that in every case, the patient’s self-image rose with his and her physical improvement. In addition to being a successful surgeon, Dr. Maltz was a great psychologist who understood human nature. A wealthy woman was greatly concerned about her son, and she came to Dr. Maltz for advice. She had hoped that the son would assume the family business following her husband’s death, but when the son came of age, he refused to assume that responsibility and chose to enter an entirely different field. She thought Dr. Maltz could help convince the boy that he was making a grave error. The doctor agreed to see him, and he probed into the reasons for the young man’s decision. The son explained, “I would have loved to take over the family business, but you don’t understand the relationship I had with my father. He was a driven man who came up the hard way. His objective was to teach me self-reliance, but he made a drastic mistake. He tried to teach me that principle in a negative way. He thought the best way to teach me self-reliance was to never encourage or praise me. He wanted me to be tough and independent. Every day we played catch in the yard. The object was for me to catch the ball ten straight times. I would catch that ball eight or nine times, but always on that tenth throw he would do everything possible to make me miss it. He would throw it on the ground or over my head but always so I had no chance of catching it.” The young man paused for a moment and then said, “He never let me catch the tenth ball—never! And I guess that’s why I have to get away from his business; I want to catch that tenth ball!”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Author Kenneth Blanchard says, “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” That’s what leaders do. They commit and follow through.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“When we do more than we are paid to do, eventually we will be paid more for what we do
―
John C. Maxwell
“growth compounds and accelerates if you remain intentional about it.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“It's good to be out of your comfort zone. Just don't step out of your gift zone.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“The challenge of leadership is to create change and facilitate growth.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Humility means two things. One, a capacity for self-criticism. . . . The second feature is allowing others to shine, affirming others, empowering and enabling others.” —CORNEL WEST”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Remember, man does not live on bread alone: sometimes he needs a little buttering up.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Believe while others are doubting. Plan while others are playing. Study while others are sleeping. Decide while others are delaying. Prepare while others are daydreaming. Begin while others are procrastinating. Work while others are wishing. Save while others are wasting. Listen while others are talking. Smile while others are frowning. Commend while others are criticizing. Persist while others are quitting.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“believe leadership is servanthood. It’s my responsibility to make sure my people have what they need to succeed and get their work done.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“People who think they’re leading but have no one following them are only taking a walk.”
―
John C. Maxwell
God commanded both male and female to have dominion (v. 27). Both men and women have been given the ability and authority to lead. Leadership is not gender specific.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“Before you attempt to set things right, make sure you see things right.”
―
John C. Maxwell
“There isn’t anyone you couldn’t learn to love once you’ve heard their story.” —Fred Rogers”
―
John C. Maxwell