Leadership Development Lessons That Stand the Test of Time

We’re continuing our series based on the five growth lanes of C.L.E.A.R. by Maxwell Leadership^Ò, and this week, we’re focusing on Leadership! We’re sharing three lessons of great leadership that have stood the test of time for us, both as a leadership development organization and for the people we serve. No matter where you are in your personal growth and development – either individually or as a leader – here are a few key aspects of leadership to help inspire you to become the person you want to be and the kind of leader you’d want to follow!

Whether you’re looking for ways to continue your personal growth in a specific area or achieve your leadership development goals, you don’t have to do it alone! We’ve developed C.L.E.A.R. to provide you not only the resources, but also the guides and the community to partner with you each step of the way. We invite you to follow along with our blog series the rest of this month based on the five growth lanes of C.L.E.A.R., and when you’re ready, learn more and subscribe to C.L.E.A.R. – your interactive, digital guide for personal growth and developing the leader in you.

The following is adapted from teachings by John C. Maxwell and our C.L.E.A.R. Guide to Leadership and Maxwell Leadership CEO, Mark Cole. 

Become the leader you’d want to follow.

LEADERSHIP IS INFLUENCE.

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” John C. Maxwell, Becoming a Person of Influence: How to Positively Impact the Lives of Others

This quote illustrates why we say leadership is relational. Great leadership is about serving and influencing others, which is why we believe everyone is a leader. Everyone influences someone else, intentionally or not, and everyone can take steps as part of their own personal growth to influence more positively the lives of those around them. For when you grow people, you are growing your own success, which ultimately leads to the significance of true transformation in yourself and those you serve.

LEADERSHIP IS FOUNDED ON TRUST.

“You build trust with others each time you choose integrity over image, truth over convenience, or honor over personal gain.” John C. Maxwell

To build trust, a leader must exemplify three things: competence, connection, and character. Leaders must show they have the skills it takes to pave the way for success, the ability to connect with others with authenticity and intention, and the consistency of strong character. So often we associate charisma with great leaders; but what truly sets a leader apart over time is character. And character is ultimately what makes trust possible.

LEADERSHIP IS A DAILY PRACTICE.

“Leaders develop daily, not in a day.” John C. Maxwell, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

Your daily habits and how you structure your day determine the secret to your success. A day, after all, is just one small decision after another – what time you get out of bed, the meals you eat, the interactions you have (or choose not to have). If you manage these decisions well in your daily routine, you’ll ultimately succeed. Success, or failure for that matter, doesn’t just occur in one day in your life. Every day is preparation for the one that follows, and who you become is the direct result of what you do now and how you are preparing for what’s next.

Get to Know Your C.L.E.A.R. Guide for Leadership: Mark Cole

Mark has been riding shotgun with John Maxwell for more than 20 years! His journey with the Maxwell enterprise began in the stock room in 2000, and through applying the personal and professional growth lessons he learned along the way, he was promoted to sales leader and quickly rose among the ranks, now serving as Maxwell Leadership’s CEO. Mark and his wife believe their life’s purpose is to steward what they have learned by adding value to leaders and leadership experts who multiply value to others. Mark shares his excitement to guide you through leadership by saying, “Everyone deserves to be led well! It’s the honor of my life to help guide people through their journey with the Maxwell Method of Leadership.”

Looking for More? Subscribe to C.L.E.A.R. – Your Personal Growth Plan

C.L.E.A.R. by Maxwell Leadership is your interactive, digital guide for personal growth. C.L.E.A.R. is an acronym for five lanes of growth that leadership and personal growth expert John C. Maxwell believes is the path to develop your personal growth and leadership: Communication, Leadership, Equipping, Attitude, and Relationships. No matter where you are on your personal growth journey, C.L.E.A.R. by Maxwell Leadership will help you get to the next level.