This week I am with many others at John Maxwell’s convention. It feels like coming home. I am surrounded by people who, like me, understand that to lead well requires you to grow; to lead well takes intentionality. In other words, growth is intentional.
Those you lead need you to be the kind of leader who understands that the heart of leadership is all about people. What kind of leader do you want to be?
I want to share a few of the nuggets with you which I have picked up about building better leaders.
At the core of Maxwell Leadership is this statement:
“I am a person of value, who values people and adds value to them.”
It is a simple and yet profound sentence. In leading, if you put people first you will make the kind of decisions which have a greater chance to produce a high performing team than a leader who doesn’t ever will.
For leaders to be this way requires intentional growth. John Maxwell was challenged by a mentor when he was 25 when he was asked if he had a personal growth plan. He didn’t, but he resolved to do so and the last 50 years and some 86 books later he is still committed to growing every day.
“The more intentional you are about your leadership growth, the greater your potential for becoming the leader you’re capable of being. Never stop learning.” John Maxwell
Many would say people are born with a natural ability to be a leader. That may or may not be true, but even if it is and you have a natural ability to lead, you can still grow and get better. The point is, it does not happen by accident. Great leadership happens intentionally.
John has access to the highest level of national governments and leaders in the world because he chose to grow daily and become the leader he was capable of being. The same is true for you and me.
Principles to help you grow
This is not exhaustive but will get you started on your growth journey.
- Growth is not automatic. To grow you have to be intentional. The first investment in growth is to invest in yourself. When you travel by plane you’re told to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others should the cabin depressurise. It’s the same when it comes to leadership.
- Others are ahead of you – those who are better, quicker, see further. Make sure you are not the number one in the room. If you are change rooms so you can learn more.
- Be in a place where you are continually challenged to grow.
- Your focus must always be forward. That is where your future is – keep going, keep growing.
- Be in a place where people value growth. You become like the company you keep. Retain the curiosity you had as a child, keep asking questions.
- Be in a place where failure is not your enemy it is your friend. Learn from failure – no experience then is wasted.
- To grow in your leadership is uphill, and anything worthwhile is worth the uphill climb.
I have observed John Maxwell over many years. He walks the talk – everything he teaches comes out of his own experience. His example inspires me. I hope it has inspired you too.
If you want to lead well I would love to talk to you and help you grow. Get in touch to book a discovery call and take the first step on your personal growth journey.
Stay safe.
