Maxwell Leadership Podcast
Episode: “Characteristics of a Builder”
Host: John Maxwell (with Mark Cole and Chris Goede)
Date: January 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into what it means to be a “builder” in leadership. John Maxwell discusses the essential traits that differentiate builders—those who drive progress, growth, and transformation within organizations. Mark Cole and Chris Goede join the conversation to unpack these characteristics, sharing personal experiences and practical applications for leaders who want to cultivate a builder’s mindset in themselves and their teams.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Builders Love Results

• Builders are deeply motivated by outcomes and are constantly measuring progress.
• They track growth, set ambitious goals, and thrive on moving the needle.
• Sometimes, this manifests as being driven or even “braggadocious” about what the team has achieved.
• John Maxwell: “Builders love numbers, they love results. They count. It matters to them.” (02:14)
• The desire for tangible results is what sets builders apart from others who might get caught up in process over outcomes.
• Mark Cole discusses how knowing your numbers is fundamental: “Knowing your results all day long, every day, is the best way to determine if you are getting progress in the direction that you want.” (14:12)

2. Never Satisfied, Always Moving Forward

• Builders rarely pause to celebrate; they’re onto the next thing quickly.
• John Maxwell shares his practice of limiting celebrations or mourning to 24 hours, then moving on: “If you have a big victory, you’ve got 24 hours. Celebrate and then get over it, move on.” (03:41)
• Quote: “Yesterday ended last night.” — John Maxwell (03:49)
• Example: After training a million leaders (“Million Leader Mandate”), John immediately shifted focus to training leaders in every country.

3. Comfort with Uncertainty

• Builders are comfortable operating on the edge and moving forward without all the answers.
• They embrace the unclear path and act rather than waiting for certainty: “Builders are just out there saying, oh, I’m going to do a lot of things and I’ll figure it out that way.” (05:18)
• Story: John’s father, a builder at heart, was so impatient for progress he joked about buying a new car instead of waiting for an oil change.
• Mark Cole shares the paradox: “A builder does not at all weight themselves with order and predictability. They weight themselves with chaos and opportunity.” (24:05)
• Builders would rather try and hit a dead end than miss a potential opportunity by not trying at all.

4. Builders Are Contagious

• The energy and vision of a builder inspire others: “A real builder could almost sell their vision to a raccoon.” (06:41)
• Their confidence draws people in and builds momentum around initiatives.
• Successful builders get others to believe in them first, then in the vision.

5. Builders Are Producers

• Builders drive productivity wherever they are placed, undeterred by constraints.
• They find solutions—more time, money, or resources—rather than accepting “no” for an answer: “Builders never accept no for an answer.” (07:33)
• John Maxwell shares a story about a builder friend who’s “always ready to help, add value, to build, to make a difference.” (08:27)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On results:
  “Builders love to make things happen. And so therefore, anything that’s growing, anything that’s showing progress, builders just love.” — John Maxwell (01:54)
• On moving beyond success:
  “You’ve got to get over your success. You’ve got to get over your failure. And the way you do that is to always… never, never be satisfied with yesterday. It ended last night.” — John Maxwell (03:49)
• On being contagious:
  “When people believe in the leader, they begin to believe in the vision.” — John Maxwell (06:37)
• On builder mindset:
  “I live on the other side of yes. I’m always ready to help add value, to build, to make a difference.” — John Maxwell (08:19)
• On the difference between getting things done vs. making things happen:
  “There is a difference in a builder and a non-builder. I believe everybody knows how to get things done. But a builder makes things happen.” — Mark Cole (19:58)
• On quitting quickly:
  “Every builder has more irons in the fire than they know whether they’re working or not. There’s always something simmering, there’s always something building, there’s always something boiling.” — Mark Cole (33:29)
• On the paradox of progress:
  “Builders are more comfortable with chaos than they are certainty.” — Mark Cole (24:31)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction and Episode Overview
  [00:08–01:30]
  Mark Cole introduces the episode’s focus: the “characteristics of a builder.”

• John Maxwell: Characteristics of a Builder
  [01:31–09:57]
  John’s lesson covers:

  • Love of results and growth [02:10]
  • Being seldom satisfied, moving quickly past victories and losses [03:23]
  • Comfort with uncertainty [05:04]
  • Builders’ contagious influence [06:35]
  • Builders as unstoppable producers [07:43]
  • Personal stories to illustrate each trait

• Practical Application: Mark Cole & Chris Goede Discussion
  [10:59–35:37]

  • Real-life builder examples in the organization [11:32]
  • The difference between getting results and producing [13:28]
  • Why knowing your numbers matters [14:25]
  • Navigating the difference between making things happen vs. getting things done [19:34]
  • Comfort with uncertainty and the willingness to try new paths [23:24]
  • The role of culture versus skill when hiring for builder mentality [28:31]
  • The importance of both starting and quitting projects quickly [32:25]

Practical Takeaways & Leadership Applications

• Identify and Develop Builders:
  Use the characteristics outlined to spot and nurture builders in your organization.
• Embrace Results and Progress:
  Consistently measure progress and make growth visible to drive momentum.
• Foster a Culture Comfortable with Uncertainty:
  Encourage forward motion even when the path isn’t fully defined.
• Make Vision Contagious:
  Lead confidently so others become invested in the journey.
• Speed in Production:
  Adopt a “start fast, quit fast” philosophy to keep the organization agile and focused on what works.

Final Thoughts

The success of transformational leadership hinges on nurturing builders—those who move organizations forward with vision, relentless pursuit of progress, adaptability, and the ability to inspire teams to do more and reach further. As Mark Cole notes, "No organization has a brighter, bigger, better future without builder mentality in the organization." (27:43)

This episode is a valuable resource for leaders of all levels seeking to create a multiplying impact. For continued growth, the Maxwell team encourages exploring their High Road Leadership course and engaging with podcast resources for deeper learning.

Listen to the full episode and download resources at: maxwellpodcast.com/builder