Maxwell Leadership Podcast
Episode: "Acknowledge Your Humanness"
Date: December 24, 2025
Host: John Maxwell, with Mark Cole & Traci Morrow

Overview

This Christmas Eve episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast dives into the principle of "acknowledging your humanness" as an essential ingredient to high road leadership. John Maxwell, through personal stories and practical wisdom, teaches that transformational leadership is founded not only in maximizing gifts and abilities, but also in embracing one's flaws, limitations, and the universal condition of being "one step from stupid." Hosts Mark Cole and Traci Morrow add further depth, vulnerability, and real-world application, especially around issues of ego, self-criticism, authenticity, and the liberating power of humility in leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Danger of Confusing Talent with Self-Worth

(John Maxwell, 03:40-06:30)

• At the height of his success, John’s mentor delivered a blunt truth: “John, everyone is constantly praising you these days … but I need to tell you something. You’re not amazing. Your gift is amazing, but you are not. You’re one step from stupid.”
• This distinction: our gifts and talents are greater than we are; we didn’t earn them, and they don’t define our core worth.
• Over-identifying with strengths can lead to losing perspective and prideful living.

Quote:

“Your gift is amazing, but you are not. You’re one step from stupid.”
— John Maxwell’s Mentor (05:00)

2. The Eagle and the Hippopotamus: Carl Sandberg’s Wisdom

(John Maxwell, 06:31–08:45)

• Human beings contain ambition—the “eagle” that wants to soar—but also baser tendencies: “there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.”
• The eagle makes us want to rise and judge others by results, while excusing ourselves on intentions.
• Self-awareness comes from remembering our capacity to fail, “to wallow”—which keeps us humble and relatable.

Quote:

“There is an eagle in me that wants to soar. And there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.”
— Attributed to Carl Sandberg, shared by John Maxwell (06:50)

3. Humanness Creates Common Ground & Reduces Judgment

(John Maxwell, 08:46–10:35)

• When we remember our hippo moments, we are less likely to judge and more likely to give grace.

• How we treat ourselves—harsh/judging or gracious/forgiving—directly correlates with how we treat others.

• Maxwell’s Four Self-Treatment Modes:

  • Judge self & others harshly = cynicism
  • Judge self harshly & give others grace = doormat
  • Give self grace & judge others harshly = narcissism
  • Give grace to both = high road leadership

Quote:

“Acknowledging my humanness leads me to the conclusion that I am no better than others. I am a flawed human just like they are.”
— John Maxwell (10:14)

4. The Five Actions to Acknowledge Your Humanness

(John Maxwell, 11:00–16:00)

1. See Yourself

• Develop self-awareness by understanding your strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and their effect on others.
• Reflect on the story of the wise woman and the stone: inner character is more valuable than external assets.

2. Care for Yourself

• Practice self-compassion; be your own best friend.
• “When I’m the hippo in the mud, I don’t scold myself. I’m human, so I don’t expect to always be an eagle.” (13:25)

3. Forgive Yourself

• Let go of perfectionism and unrealistic standards; accept and forgive your flaws.
• “Acknowledging them and forgiving yourself for them improves your outlook toward yourself, reduces your internal stress, boosts your empathy toward others, and makes you better at improving yourself.” (14:25)

4. Laugh at Yourself

• Self-deprecating humor signals self-awareness and confidence.
• “Few things do more to help a person live a healthier life, build connections with others and improve their leadership.” (15:06)

5. Believe in Yourself

• Cultivate “confident humility”—secure enough to know strengths, honest about weaknesses.
• “If you’re able to acknowledge your humanness and develop confident humility, you will place yourself in a position to be a high road leader.” (15:50)

Application & Reflections (with Mark Cole & Traci Morrow)

1. Perfectionism and Leadership Pressure

(17:12–18:50)

• Traci and Mark reference a Brene Brown quote:
  “Perfectionism is a 20-ton shield we lug around … when in fact, it’s the very thing that’s preventing us from taking flight.”
• They highlight John Maxwell’s ability to lead authentically: “He is so good at being comfortable in his own skin. … He has mastered that.” (17:50 - Traci)

2. Pride, Social Media, and Authenticity

(19:46–22:50)

• Traci: “Pride is insecurity worn inside out.” (20:15)
• Mark shares his past struggles with performance-based identity: “I created a person that wasn’t even me, and yet felt fulfilled if I could fake people out in thinking that it was me.” (20:45)

3. The Burden and Relief of Authenticity

(23:45–24:42)

• Mark: “It is so much easier to live being me than it is trying to be what you want me to be. It is liberating.” (23:53)
• Discussion of social media’s role in perpetuating posturing and comparison.

4. Behind the Curtain: Real vs. Postured Leaders

(24:42-27:26)

• Traci discusses their experiences with high-profile leaders: “There really is a difference. … Who do we want to be?”
• The example of John’s mentor giving hard truths—“Your gifts are great, but remember you’re human.”

5. How Leaders Can Find Honest Feedback

(27:26–29:58)

• Mark: “It starts with an internal decision. You’ve got to stop chasing cheese. … People already know your weaknesses; we’re waiting on you to catch up with what the rest of us already know.” (28:00)
• “If you’re faking it, you are letting out or communicating to people that you don’t want help.” (29:43)

6. Are You Harder or Easier on Yourself?

(29:58–34:14)

• Mark: “Infinitely harder on myself. … I will say things in my self-talk to myself that I would never say to anyone else.” (31:00)
• Admission: even as a words-of-affirmation person, he struggles to accept external positive feedback, including from John Maxwell.

7. The Value of Self-Compassion

(35:13–38:47)

• Traci encourages Mark to be kinder to himself: “Be nice to my friend Mark.”
• Referencing NFL long snapper Jon Dorenbos: “Don’t listen to yourself, talk to yourself.” (35:16)
• Mark describes moving from critical inner dialogue to affirming gratitude.

8. Practical Step—Laugh at Yourself

(38:47–39:14)

• Traci brings up John’s song “Get Over Myself” as a practical tool for any leader struggling to lighten up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On humility and self-perception:

  “We’re all flawed human beings. We’re all one step from stupid.”
  — John Maxwell (07:55)

• On social media and posturing:

  “Warning: leader is not as good as they appear … this is not real life. This is the highlight realm.”
  — Mark Cole (24:00)

• On authentic leadership:

  “In a world where people feel like they have to pretend … how refreshing and freeing it stands apart as different. It’s really actually sad that it stands apart as different when a high road leader stands out as just being a regular guy.”
  — Traci Morrow (22:50)

• On feedback and vulnerability:

  “All you can give is your struggle and your commitment to get better. So don’t take yourself seriously. Acknowledge your humanness. … People rally around me when I acknowledge my weaknesses because they too want me to get better.”
  — Mark Cole (29:43)

• On the benefit of this work:

  “Know yourself, know your humanness. Don’t run from it. Acknowledge it, live it, improve it, and find the potential in you. Because when you find that potential, you will absolutely make the world around you—because the world don’t need another imitation. The world needs you, and the world needs you fully.”
  — Mark Cole (40:58)

Important Timestamps

• [03:40] John Maxwell begins principles of acknowledging your humanness
• [06:50] “There is an eagle in me that wants to soar and a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud”
• [15:50] “Confident humility” and its centrality to leadership
• [17:12] Brene Brown’s quote cited; application discussion begins
• [23:53] Mark Cole on the liberation of living authentically
• [29:43] “People rally around me when I acknowledge my weaknesses…”
• [31:00] Mark’s struggle of being harder on himself than anyone else
• [35:16] “Don’t listen to yourself, talk to yourself”
• [40:58] Mark’s closing challenge: be yourself, find your greatness

Final Thoughts

This episode is a heartfelt, deeply practical lesson in owning your imperfection—and helping others do the same. It offers a blueprint for self-awareness, self-compassion, forgiveness, humor, and grounded confidence. Leaders who embrace these ideas will not only “take the high road” but also invite teams, families, and communities to follow their example of authentic, transformational leadership.

Action Steps:

• Download the bonus resource at maxwellpodcast.com/acknowledge
• Listen to John Maxwell's song "Get Over Myself" as a reminder to laugh at and lighten up about your own failures
• Practice “talking to yourself” with kindness, not just listening to a critical inner voice

For Discussion:
Do you tend toward being your own harshest critic or your own best friend? How can “confident humility” change your leadership—and your life?