The Influence of a Father
This Sunday being Father’s Day, my team requested that I write a blog post on the word “father.” While that may seem like an obvious idea, there’s a deeper meaning to that word for me personally—since 2017, the word “father” has been my life word. You see, for years—decades, really—I have prayed for and selected…
Read MoreMark Cole: The Beginner’s Mindset
Is any leader really comfortable being known as a beginner? I don’t think so. I’ve observed that most leaders have a natural desire to become an expert. But this doesn’t always lead to success in leadership—as John Wooden said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” To continually grow and learn,…
Read MoreFive Ways Leaders Change Lives for the Better
Did you know that we’re in a global leadership crisis? That thought has popped in the news a lot lately. There have been breathless editorials from all angles about the decline of leadership in government, education, entertainment, religion, business, art, and the family. We’re not as strong as we used to be seems to be…
Read MoreMark Cole: Give Hope
In John Maxwell’s first book, Think on These Things, hewrote an entire chapter on hope. There’s one line that has stuck with me since I read it 25 years ago: “Hope dares to give when no one is sharing.” Hope gives—I love that! Even when no one believes, hope gives. Even when the circumstances seem…
Read MoreThe Relentless Pursuit of Improvement
Over the past few weeks, as my work has carried me everywhere from Peru to Paraguay to a weekend away with Margaret to celebrate 50 years of marriage, I’ve been reflecting on my personal journey of improvement. It’s no secret that I believe growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow will be better. It’s no…
Read MoreMark Cole: A Leader’s Most Damaging Expression
Last week on the John Maxwell Leadership Podcast, I asked John how he stays fresh and remains excited while doing things he’s already done. This is a question I consider a lot when it comes to John and his career. Think about it: after 106 books and 31 million copies sold, after traveling the world…
Read MoreWant Better Relationships? Be Relatable!
I like people. When I get out of bed in the morning, one of the first thoughts to go through my head is “Who will I help today?” I am motivated by the interactions that I have with others, and I find great joy in meeting and helping people day after day. Is it because…
Read MoreMark Cole: Pride Goes Before a Fall
Growing up, my mom tirelessly reminded me of a popular verse from the book of Proverbs: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” The longer I live, the more I understand why she made sure I learned this lesson. Pride is a big problem for any leader. Here’s why: Pride Leads…
Read MoreFive Steps for Connecting with Others
I usually start a blog with a story or some sort of introductory idea to get your brain moving in the right direction. But I’m not doing that with this post. Instead, I want to jump right in and give you five steps for connecting with others. Connection is a critical part of leadership, because…
Read MoreMark Cole: Time To Move On?
When is the right time for a successful leader to move on to a new position? Leaders often get restless. The more ambitious and entrepreneurial the leader, the shorter their attention span tends to be. But restlessness is not necessarily a problem. The key to knowing whether it’s time to transition is recognizing there are…
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