Podcast Summary: Maxwell Leadership Podcast

Episode: A Leader Sees More and Before (Part 1)
Date: October 8, 2025
Host: John Maxwell with Chris Goede & Mark Cole

Overview

This episode explores the foundational leadership insight that "a leader sees more and before" others do. John Maxwell teaches two core disciplines for developing this ability: cultivating an abundance mindset (overcoming scarcity) and adopting the cycle of success (test, fail, learn, improve, re-enter). Co-hosts Chris Goede and Mark Cole reflect on how these principles shape their own leadership journeys, providing practical strategies and examples for listeners seeking to become more visionary, adaptive leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leaders as Visionaries: “See More and Before”

• John Maxwell underscores that what distinguishes leaders is not position, but vision. True leaders "see more than others see, and they see before others see."
  • “You have never known a leader that had no vision. Nobody says, ‘That leader has no vision at all. That’s why I love them.’” (John Maxwell, 02:10)
• A valid vision is something you’re passionate about today, not merely an abstract goal for the future.
• Impatience of leaders: When you really see it, you want to move quickly—leaders act when others are still catching up.

2. Discipline #1: Thinking in “More, More and More Before”

Cultivate Abundance, Not Scarcity

• Many people naturally think “less, less”; effective leaders discipline themselves to see "more, more and more before."

• Two crucial words to reach this level of thinking: creativity and flexibility.

  • Creativity: Belief that there is always an answer.
  • Flexibility: Belief that there is more than one answer.

  "Creativity says there is always an answer. Flexibility says there is more than one answer." (John Maxwell, 05:51)

• Best can be better: Don’t rest on “best,” use it as a foundation to build on for even greater achievements.

  “Best becomes a problem when you think it’s best—then you want to mount it, have a trophy, have a celebration... Beyond best is something better than best.” (John Maxwell, 07:25)

3. Discipline #2: The Cycle to Success

Process for “More, More and More Before”

• John teaches a five-step cycle for leaders wanting greater vision and results:

  1. Test
  2. Fail
  3. Learn
  4. Improve
  5. Re-enter

  “You test more and then you fail more... you learn more, you improve more... and then you get back up and re-enter.” (John Maxwell, 09:29)

• The willingness to repeat this process fosters continual growth and expansive vision.

• Application example: Mark Cole shares a story about pushing his teams to rethink and improve the Global Youth Initiative, refusing to settle and always expecting a better plan for the future.

  “I was getting ready to announce, hey, we’ve got 2.2 million, let’s get it to 2.5... but in 2026, I expect a better plan.” (Mark Cole, 34:54)

4. Behind the Leadership Curtain: Chris Goede & Mark Cole Reflect

Real-World Application

• Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset: Mark explains it’s a learned discipline not just a personality trait.

  “It’s a discipline. You know, I used to think it was a gift. It’s a discipline.” (Mark Cole, 20:41)

• Modeling Abundance: John Maxwell’s quick solution-finding and abundance-first thinking inspires and “lifts the lid” for his team.

  “What I love about John is I can now anticipate…he models abundance, and that changes how we all tackle big decisions.” (Mark Cole, 22:57)

• Creativity & Flexibility in Action: Mark describes developing adaptability between scarcity and abundance modes, especially when partnering with John or handling different leadership roles.

  “In some settings you’re going to have to become adaptive…for the last ten years, I was more realistic or scarcity [oriented] because that’s what John and I’s partnership needed.” (Mark Cole, 27:53)

• Learned Skill, Not Born Talent: You don’t have to be a CEO to start applying these lessons. Seeing more and before is a muscle leaders can build through practice and consistent behaviors.

  “These are learned behaviors…not only after today and hearing from Mark, but also next week you’re going to have a roadmap.” (Chris Goede, 19:18)

5. Setting and Raising Lids: From Good to Great

• Mark shares a coaching story on moving from “good” to “great” organizational cultures, illustrating how vision must keep evolving.

  “Your vision now…is 10x what it was 18 months ago. How do you get there?...Know your bent, know your time, and know the organization’s need—and align that.” (Chris Goede and Mark Cole, 31:59–32:41)

• Matching personal abilities, organizational needs, and timing creates certainty and clarity for teams.

  “The organization needs me to start exercising this muscle…The future demands that we get here so that we can continue the impact.” (Mark Cole, 33:08)

6. Listener Q&A

• Addressed how leaders with ADD/ADHD can harness discipline for growth.
  • Key suggestions include joining ADHD communities, understanding one’s attention patterns, and seeking professional help when needed.

  “John says much of his best thinking has been done by others and this is true for the ADHD community as well.” (Advice from Brianna, team member, 38:15)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• John Maxwell (Vision and Leadership):

  “Leaders see more than others see, and see before others see.” (03:16)

• Abundance Mindset in Decision-Making (Mark Cole):

  “Leaders that want your team to begin to think abundance—it begins when you display or demonstrate abundance.” (22:57)

• Iterative Growth and Vision:

  “Don’t rest on the best… there is no finish line.” (John Maxwell, 07:25)

Timestamps for Segments

• [02:10] — John Maxwell defines vision and the unique role of a leader
• [05:51] — Creativity and flexibility as building blocks to abundance thinking
• [09:29] — The five-step cycle of success
• [20:41] — Discipline vs. talent in abundance thinking (Mark Cole)
• [22:57] — Demonstrating abundance in team decisions
• [27:53] — Adapting between scarcity and abundance as a leader
• [31:59] — Good to great cultures, the “lid” metaphor, and evolving vision
• [34:54] — Applying the cycle of success in major initiatives
• [38:15] — Tips for leaders with ADD/ADHD

Conclusion & Teaser for Next Episode

Chris and Mark close by underscoring these leadership mindsets are accessible and developable for all, not just top executives. Next week, John Maxwell will continue with three more components for seeing “more and before” as a leader.

“You don’t have to be the CEO to live this out. This is a learned skill.” (Chris Goede, 24:46)

Tools/Resources:
Bonus materials and app information can be found at maxwellpodcast.com/moreandbefore.

For Listeners:

• Consider: Where are you operating with scarcity vs. abundance?
• Practice: Apply the “test, fail, learn, improve, re-enter” cycle in your next team initiative.
• Tune in next week for the next stage in visionary leadership development.