Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast

Episode #376: What's the Greatest Gift a Leader Can Give?

Host: John Maxwell (and colleagues Perry and Chris)
Date: December 25, 2025

Overview

In this holiday-themed episode, the Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast explores a powerful question: "What’s the greatest gift a leader can give?" Drawing inspiration from real coaching sessions and years of leadership experience, the hosts break down ten profound "gifts" that leaders should strive to give their people—qualities that go far beyond material rewards. Listeners are challenged to reflect on their own leadership style and encouraged to intentionally practice one of these gifts in the spirit of giving.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Why This Question Matters

• The topic emerged organically from a senior leadership coaching call, where leaders were asked, “What’s the greatest gift a leader’s ever given you?” ([01:47])
• The goal: Highlight gifts that deeply impact people, not just perks or material rewards.

2. The Ten Greatest Gifts a Leader Can Give

1. The Gift of Clarity

Clarity is kindness—without it, people flounder in confusion.

• “People can't thrive in confusion… If there's not clarity, even if it's just in you and another team member and their responsibilities, you have to have that clarity. Clear is kind.” (B, [06:20])
• Clarifying expectations builds confidence and reduces anxiety.

2. The Gift of Trust

Extend trust before it’s fully earned—it accelerates everything else.

• “Great leaders extend trust before it's fully earned. That trust really becomes something that you nurture in others... Trust is really the linchpin of all leadership.” (A, [06:54])
• Trust reduces the need for micromanagement and speeds up process.

3. The Gift of Belief

Believe in others, sometimes before they believe in themselves.

• “As leaders, how can we get to a place to where we're sharing our belief in other people... when's the last time that somebody that you are leading you have influence with where you said, man, I believe in you?... John Maxwell says, it’s one thing to communicate someone's potential, it’s another thing to believe in it so much that they start to believe in it too.” (B, [08:03])
• Specific, authentic belief can elevate a person’s confidence.

4. The Gift of Growth

Foster a growth mindset, not just better results.

• “Giving people opportunities to stretch and to learn and to sometimes even fail... When leaders invest in growth... you’re not just trying to get them to give results. You're trying to get them to become more.” (A, [09:14])
• Growth comes from stretching, feedback, and investment in learning.

5. The Gift of Autonomy

Help people feel ownership, not just employment.

• “How do we give them the gift of autonomy... You gotta equip them and you gotta set them up, but man, give them autonomy to run the project... the level of engagement... is going to go to a completely different level than if you were micromanaging.” (B, [10:44])
• Delegate authority, not just tasks, to foster innovation and engagement.

6. The Gift of Encouragement

Give courage and acknowledge the unseen struggles.

• “The word encouragement actually means to give courage to someone... It is free. It doesn't cost you anything except attention to someone. To let them know that you see them, that you appreciate them... Everyone needs encouragement.” (A, [12:13])
• Attend to people’s emotional needs, offer positive feedback.

7. The Gift of Listening

Create real connection by listening deeply and with curiosity.

• “You can't connect with people if you're not engaged listening to them, not talking... The greatest compliment… is ‘when I’m talking to Perry... I feel like this conversation is the only thing happening in Perry’s world.’” (B, [13:33])
• Listening is more than silence—it’s true engagement.

8. The Gift of Purpose

Help people connect daily tasks to a larger mission.

• “People don't pay attention. They don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it... The gift I can give is letting people know how what they do goes toward the bigger meaning and purpose of our business.” (A, [14:50])
• Reframe roles so team members see their broader impact.

9. The Gift of Grace

Allow room for mistakes, and pair grace with accountability.

• “Make room for mistakes... It does not mean they don't hold me accountable. There's consequences, right. But there's grace there.” (B, [16:26])
• One leader admitted, “That one hit me hard because... it’s a gift I don’t give easily.” (A, [17:29])

10. The Gift of Example

Model the behaviors, values, and character you wish to see.

• “People don't do what you say, they do what you do. And so... your daily example is really what people are going to take away mostly from you.” (A, [18:22])
• “Be the leader. Be the, be the person you want on your team.” (A, [18:22])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On belief:
  “It’s one thing to communicate someone’s potential, it’s another thing to believe in it so much that they start to believe in it too.” (John Maxwell, as quoted by B, [08:03])
• On encouragement:
  “I just know that a leader coming by you and telling you that they believe in you, that they encourage you, they see you... is amazing.” (A, [12:13])
• On grace:
  “A little forgiveness goes a long way, and he said that people are really working hard, they're trying hard… I thought it was very humbling of him to say that one hit me hard.” (A, [17:49])
• On example:
  “Be the model. You attract who you are, not who you want as a leader on your team.” (B, [19:14])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:47] – Origins: The Question That Inspired This Episode
• [04:22] – Introduction to the 10 Gifts
• [06:20] – 1. The Gift of Clarity
• [06:54] – 2. The Gift of Trust
• [08:03] – 3. The Gift of Belief
• [09:14] – 4. The Gift of Growth
• [10:44] – 5. The Gift of Autonomy
• [12:13] – 6. The Gift of Encouragement
• [13:33] – 7. The Gift of Listening
• [14:50] – 8. The Gift of Purpose
• [16:26] – 9. The Gift of Grace
• [18:22] – 10. The Gift of Example

Practical Challenges

• Pick one gift and put it into action this week.
  “Just pick one of these ten and go live them out intentionally... Maybe it's a handwritten note, maybe it's clarity, listening, or grace—just pick one and live that out.” (B, [19:15])
• Ask your team: What’s the greatest gift a leader’s given you?
  Use it to stimulate reflection and conversation in your next meeting.

Resources & Further Learning

• Maxwell Leadership App: Daily leadership lessons, videos, and more—including this episode’s theme ([04:22])
• Growth.maxwellleadership.com: Free trial and full series using code PODCASTGG7 ([04:22], [19:15])
• Learner Guide: Available at maxwellleadership.com/executivepodcast

Final Thought

This episode stands as both a reflective holiday message and a practical leadership playbook. The hosts challenge every leader to intentionally “give” at least one of these profound gifts to their teams—not only during the holidays but as a year-round commitment to transformative leadership.