Leadership Expert John Maxwell Reveals Why ‘Winging It’ Destroys Success
After five decades of teaching millions worldwide, communication and leadership expert John Maxwell has distilled success down to a
After five decades of teaching millions worldwide, communication and leadership expert John Maxwell has distilled success down to a simple but powerful truth: the difference between extraordinary leaders and mediocre ones isn’t talent. It’s the refusal to “wing it.”
Speaking at the Entree Leadership Summit, the author of over 100 books shared candid insights about his journey from a struggling young pastor to one of the world’s most respected voices on leadership development.
The Temptation Every Leader Faces
Maxwell’s story began in a small country church in southern Indiana, where he discovered a dangerous truth about natural ability. “Within about three months of pastoring that little church, I realised I had enough natural skills that if I wanted to, I could wing it,” he revealed.
The congregation’s low expectations meant Maxwell could have coasted through sermons with minimal preparation. But this crossroads moment would define his entire approach to professional growth.
“I really had an internal struggle for probably three, four months of: am I going to wing it or am I going to work for it?” Maxwell recalled. “I made a decision to work for it.”
The Daily Disciplines That Changed Everything
This commitment to excellence led Maxwell to develop what he calls “everyday essentials” – five simple practices that compound into extraordinary results:
- Read every day
- Think every day
- File every day
- Ask questions every day
- Write every day
When pressed about what “every day” actually means, Maxwell’s response is uncompromising: “What I mean by every day is every day. What do you do on your birthday? On my birthday I read, think, file, ask questions and write.”
This unwavering consistency has been the foundation of Maxwell’s leadership development philosophy for over 50 years. “If we could just understand the high return of everyday essentials, you would be wildly successful in whatever you’re doing,” he emphasised.
Why Most Communication Fails
Despite decades of teaching communication skills, Maxwell believes most people struggle with one fundamental issue: self-focus.
“Get over yourself,” he advised aspiring communicators. “Whenever I see people that are not able to communicate effectively, it’s because they’re focused on themselves.”
The secret to powerful communication lies in shifting perspective entirely. “All great communication doesn’t start on the stage. It starts in the seat,” Maxwell explained. “For me to connect and communicate well with you, I have to understand it’s all about you.”
This principle extends far beyond public speaking into every aspect of professional growth. Leaders who focus on adding value to others rather than impressing them create deeper connections and more sustainable success.
The Mountain Mindset for Modern Leaders
When addressing younger generations entering leadership roles, Maxwell’s message remains consistent: success requires what he calls a “mountain mindset.”
“Everything worthwhile is uphill. Period. End of story,” he declared. “If you want to succeed in life, it’s difficult. It’s not easy. It’s not fast. It’s not simple. It’s uphill.”
This perspective directly challenges the instant-gratification culture that often undermines genuine leadership development. According to Maxwell, recognising and embracing this fundamental truth is what separates those who achieve lasting success from those who eventually burn out while chasing quick wins.
Building Unshakeable Relationships
In an era where 71% of professionals report that work stress damages their personal relationships, Maxwell offers a different approach: seasons over balance.
“I don’t think balance is possible,” he admitted. “Life’s not balanced. I’ve never had a balanced day.”
Instead, Maxwell advocates for understanding relationship seasons—times for intense work, periods for cultivation, and moments for rest. The key is earning respect through consistent excellence rather than relying on friendship to excuse poor performance.
“Value people but never rely on friendships to do insufficient work,” he advised. “If anything, if we’re good friends, I ought to work harder for you.”
The Culture Warrior Approach
For leaders struggling to maintain company culture across generations, Maxwell introduced the concept of becoming a “culture warrior.”
“You have to fight to keep your culture,” he explained. “It automatically gets worse if you don’t fight for it.”
This fighting spirit requires daily intentionality. In fact, culture is not preserved through heritage or past achievements. Instead, it is continuously rebuilt through consistent actions and clear expectations, day after day.
Maxwell’s coaching company, with 59,000 coaches across 70 countries, demonstrates this principle. Every new coach receives intensive training on company DNA: “We are people of value who value people and add value to them.”
The Compound Effect of Consistency
Perhaps Maxwell’s most encouraging message centres on the power of consistent effort over time. Reflecting on his journey from an inexperienced 20-something to a globally recognised expert, he shared:
“I wish you could have seen me when I was 20, 25, because I wasn’t that good. But I had a passion to become really good.”
This perspective offers hope to current leaders feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances. Maxwell’s success didn’t come from exceptional talent but from 50-plus years of refusing to compromise on daily disciplines.
“Consistency compounds,” he noted. “In the beginning, you’re not as bad as people think you are. And in the end, if you do it right, you’re not as good as people think you are.”
Today Matters Most
Maxwell’s philosophy ultimately centres on the power of present-moment intentionality. His book “Today Matters” encapsulates a crucial truth: “Every day you’re either preparing or repairing.”
Leaders who embrace daily preparation through consistent practices build momentum that becomes unstoppable over time. Those who neglect daily disciplines find themselves constantly fixing yesterday’s problems rather than creating tomorrow’s opportunities.
“We overestimate what we can do tomorrow, we overexaggerate what we did yesterday, but we underestimate what we can do today right now,” Maxwell observed.
The Leadership Legacy
After dedicating his life to leadership development, Maxwell’s ultimate goal isn’t personal achievement, it’s empowering others to surpass his accomplishments.
“My goal isn’t to be the best in anything. My goal is to help people be better than me and pass me. I’ll be the first one to cheer you on.”
This mindset reflects the heart of authentic leadership: creating more leaders rather than more followers. It’s a reminder that true professional growth isn’t measured by personal accolades but by the positive impact on others.
For leaders facing difficult seasons, Maxwell’s journey offers both challenge and encouragement. Success remains “uphill all the way,” but with intentional daily practices, clear communication, and genuine care for others, that mountain becomes climbable one step at a time.
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