30 inspirational John C. Maxwell quotes on leadership

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We have compiled a list of 30 inspirational John Maxwell quotes on leadership to encourage you along your journey.

John C. Maxwell is a successful motivational speaker and pastor who has written many books on leadership. Several times his books have made it on the New York Times Best Sellers List including The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.

Maxwell has impacted the lives of millions within the Christian community and in the world of business. He speaks annually to Fortune 500 companies and also conducts leadership trainings including churches like HillSong Church.

John C. Maxwell Quotes 

1. “When people respect you as a person, they admire you. When they respect you as a friend, they love you. When they respect you as a leader, they follow you.” – John C. Maxwell

2. “People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.” – John C. Maxwell

3. “A leader is great, not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others.” – John C. Maxwell

4. “If you don’t have peace, it isn’t because someone took it from you; you gave it away. You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you.” – John C. Maxwell

5. “You don’t overcome challenges by making them smaller but by making yourself bigger.” – John C. Maxwell

6. “As a leader, you will never get ahead until your people are behind you.” – John C. Maxwell

7. “If you want to be a leader, the good news is that you can do it. Everyone has the potential, but it isn’t accomplished overnight. It requires perseverance.” – John C. Maxwell

8. “There are two paths people can take. They can either play now and pay later, or pay now and play later. Regardless of the choice, one thing is certain. Life will demand a payment.” – John C. Maxwell

9. “The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying.” – John C. Maxwell

10. “Stay focused instead of getting offended or off track by others.” – John C. Maxwell

11. “The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.” – John C. Maxwell

12. “The best leaders are humble enough to realize their victories depend upon their people.” – John C. Maxwell

13. “Leadership is taking responsibility while others are making excuses.” – John C. Maxwell

14. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell

15. “If you wouldn’t follow yourself, why should anyone else?” – John C. Maxwell

16. “The more seriously you take your growth, the more seriously your people will take you” – John C. Maxwell

18. “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” – John C. Maxwell

19. “If you start today to do the right thing, you are already a success even if it doesn’t show yet.” – John C. Maxwell

20. “When the leader lacks confidence, the followers lack commitment.” – John C. Maxwell

21. “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” –  John C. Maxwell

22. “If you can’t influence people, then they will not follow you. And if people won’t follow, you are not a leader. That’s the Law of Influence.” – John C. Maxwell

23. “A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” – John C. Maxwell

24. “Doing the right thing daily, compounds over time.” – John C. Maxwell

25. “We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.” – John C. Maxwell

26. “The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.” – John C. Maxwell

27. “If you are a leader, the true measure of your success is not getting people to work. It’s not getting people to work hard. It is getting people to work hard together. That takes commitment.” – John C. Maxwell

28. “Do you know the difference between leaders, followers, and losers? Leaders stretch with challenges. Followers struggle with challenges. Losers shrink from challenges.” – John C. Maxwell

29. “Learn to say no to the good so you can say yes to the best.” – John C. Maxwell

30. “Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” – John C. Maxwell

31. “As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behavior. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to become. Take action on your behavior. Too many people want to feel, then take action. This never works.” – John C. Maxwell