Maxwell Leadership Podcast
Episode: Cultivating Humility for Lasting Influence
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: John Maxwell, with co-hosts Chris Goede and Mark Cole

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the principle that humility is the essential ingredient for leaders who wish to have a lasting, positive influence. John Maxwell, joined by Chris Goede and Mark Cole, delves deeply into what it means for leaders to cultivate and model humility, how it shapes influence over time, and the challenges and transformations entailed in adopting humility as a core value. The conversation unpacks the practical impact of humility, referencing personal stories, notable leadership insights, and reflective questions for listeners.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Power and Meaning of Humility in Leadership

• John Maxwell's View:
  • "The most important ingredient in a leader's life, the most important quality, is humility." (04:40)
  • Being "marked in a meaningful way" comes through humility, especially in times of adversity. Humility makes challenges useful for growth rather than just painful.
  • Reference to Jim Collins’ “Level 5 Executive” from Good to Great: Great leaders embody a paradoxical blend of professional will and personal humility.
  • Humility is not weakness but strength redirected: “The humble leader is not weak, but strong, not preoccupied with self but with how best to use his or her strengths for the good of others." (09:27)

2. Humility’s Role During Adversity

• Humility transforms adverse events from sources of bitterness to platforms for improvement ("Some get better, some get bitter. Same adversity, different reaction." – John Maxwell, 05:45).
• Personal stories from Mark Cole and Chris Goede about family members and mentors who embodied humility through hardship.

3. Humility as the Foundation for Longevity and Lasting Influence

• Many leaders build influence quickly but lose it due to arrogance or defensiveness; humility is what creates sustainable, long-term impact.
• “What consistency compounds humility, establishes longevity.” – Mark Cole (17:51)

4. Practical Aspects of Humility

• Being Teachable and Coachable:
  • Humility is comfortable with correction and willing to reconsider.
  • “Humility seeks learning as much as it wants to lead.” – John Maxwell (08:00)
• Responsibility Coupled with Humility:
  • True humility in leadership is taking full responsibility when things go wrong and sharing credit when things go right.
  • “People that are not humble, when something goes wrong, it's everybody else's fault. And when it goes right, it's mine.” – Mark Cole (21:45)

5. The Importance of the Pause

• Pausing in leadership allows space to learn, adjust, and reflect rather than react.
• “During the pause, I’m going to live my values… I’m going to learn and apply… I’m going to lead people with hope.” – John Maxwell (08:25)
• Mark Cole candidly discusses his struggle and self-reflection about whether he pauses from a place of real humility or as a leadership “technique.”

6. Self-Reflection and Motive

• Humility’s authenticity is rooted in motive: Do you pause, receive feedback, or acknowledge mistakes to look humble, or to genuinely grow?
• “There’s a fine line between influence and manipulation... It’s your motive.” – Chris Goede (36:37)

7. Gratitude as the Antidote to Bitterness

• Humility is closely linked to gratitude, especially when reflecting on adversity.
• “If I can find a reason to be grateful, I have an antidote for any bitterness that I'm unaware of.” – Mark Cole (29:26)

8. Memorable Quotes & Reflections on Humility

• “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.” – CS Lewis, quoted by Mark Cole (11:11)
• “I love to be in the presence of a humble leader because they bring out the very best in me.” – John Maxwell (09:16)
• Personal anecdote: “John gets off the phone and says, ‘Can you believe that person wanted to talk to me?’... there is a humility, and John does not come across as necessarily humble about his passions and his accomplishment, but there is a quiet humility in John...” – Mark Cole (15:34)

Notable Moments with Timestamps

• Humility in Leaders—Personal Stories:
  • [01:03] Chris Goede shares about a leader who regularly connects with new, lower-level employees, demonstrating true humility in action.
  • [02:00] Mark Cole discusses the humble leadership style of his father, who overcame personal adversity.
• John Maxwell on Humility’s Core Value:
  • [04:40] “The most important ingredient in a leader's life, the most important quality, is humility.”
• Level 5 Leadership Reference:
  • [06:21] Referencing the blend of personal humility and professional will from Good to Great.
• Defining Humility’s Practical Impact:
  • [08:00] “Humility is comfortable with correction. Humility is willing to reconsider. Humility seeks learning as much as it wants to lead.”
• The Pause and Self-Reflection:
  • [31:30] Discussion on how pausing, for reflection and openness, can reveal humility or the lack thereof.
• Motive Check and Manipulation vs. Influence:
  • [36:37] Chris Goede on the critical difference the leader’s motive makes in humble behavior.
• Gratitude and Avoiding Bitterness:
  • [29:26] Mark Cole explains how gratitude is the antidote to bitterness, narrating a powerful personal example.

Reflection and Action for Listeners

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How coachable are you?
• How responsible are you? (22:03)
• Who around you can you ask, "Do you see humility in how I lead?"
• Can you identify situations in your life where you’ve grown in humility—or where you might need to?

Final Challenge:

• “What’s the motive behind your actions? Are you pausing for outward effect, or are you really seeking to grow?” – Chris Goede (36:37)
• “If you want longevity in this thing called leadership, you better find and cultivate and aggregate humility.” – Mark Cole (35:27)

Additional Highlight

• Listener Marvin’s comment:
  • “Leaders are not as good as they appear, because people have the tendency to put their leaders on pedestals like they're superheroes. Sometimes when we stop only to listen to ourselves, we begin to understand we're not very different from one another. The only difference is who we’re leading.” (37:01)

Conclusion

This episode underscores that lasting leadership influence is not built on charisma or achievement, but on the consistent, authentic practice of humility. Humble leaders learn, adapt, serve, and center others rather than themselves, especially under pressure. Pausing, self-reflection, gratitude, and a motive rooted in growth are indispensable leadership tools for cultivating humility that endures.