Closing the Success Gap, Part 2
In my last post, I wrote about one big misconception that makes people think that success is farther away from them than it really is: the idea that success is really hard to achieve. I defined success differently and gave a game plan for closing the gap between us and our goals. Today, let’s talk…
Read MoreClosing the Success Gap, Part 1
“Hi, my name’s John, and I’m your friend.” That’s something I say during most of my speaking engagements. People laugh when I do. I’m sure it sounds corny at times. But I have a very important reason for saying it. One of my goals whenever I speak is to close the success gap. The success…
Read MoreConvinced or Committed?
Teams don’t win by accident; they cannot simply rely on their talent to take them to the top. Winning teams display strong, durable commitment—both to a common cause and to one another. This commitment inspires them to persevere through setbacks and to make the sacrifices necessary to succeed. Commitment to a Common Cause Commitment to…
Read MoreCommunication: Keep Traffic Flowing and Make Sure It’s Going Both Ways
Walking into a new work environment can be a bewildering experience. You meet a number of new teammates, get thrown into several ongoing projects, and have to navigate unfamiliar systems. The amount of information you’re exposed to, and the pace at which you’re expected to learn your responsibilities, can feel overwhelming. Imagine having to help…
Read MoreUnderstanding Underperformance
If you ignore a rattle or hum in your vehicle’s engine for too long, your car may stop running. One defective part can cause the automobile to break down completely. Similarly, the smooth functioning of a team is impacted by its weakest link. When one person routinely underperforms, the whole team suffers. People who consistently…
Read MoreOn Leading Leaders
Awhile back, I was doing a question and answer session for members of my John Maxwell Team of certified coaches. And I got a great question from a gentleman named Billy. He asked a question that’s becoming more and more common: How do you gather and lead a leadership team? A generation ago, people asked…
Read MoreWhat I Believe About Success
When will you be successful? If you’re like most people, what comes to mind is someday—somewhere off in the future, when you’ll suddenly wake up and think, “I made it! I’m a success!” That’s how most unsuccessful people see success: as something to strive for and hope to reach “someday.” Each of us has a…
Read MoreWithout a Plan, You’re Growing Nowhere
Personal growth doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not an automatic process. If you want to guarantee growth, then you need a plan—something strategic, specific, and scheduled. Motivational speaker Earl Nightingale said, “If a person will spend one hour a day on the same subject for five years, that person will be an expert on that…
Read MoreAlexander the Not-So-Great
According to legend, when Alexander the Great saw that his empire stretched across the entire known world, he wept for there were no more kingdoms left to conquer. Whether true or mythical, the story powerfully portrays Alexander’s goal-drivenness. The ambitious general always set his sights on new lands to add to his domain. Once he…
Read MoreLearning Leadership by Wrestling Cats?
“I knew a man who grabbed a cat by the tail and learned forty percent more about cats than the man who didn’t.”~ Mark Twain Twain’s witticism carries some truth about leadership: 1) we learn leadership from being in close proximity to it, and 2) we learn leadership through memorable experiences. LEADERSHIP UP CLOSE In…
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