Maxwell Leadership Podcast: "Developing the Character of a Winner"

Host: Mark Cole
Teacher: John C. Maxwell
Co-host: Traci Morrow
Date: January 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the foundational principle that true, lasting success starts from the inside out. John C. Maxwell presents the concept that developing the character of a winner is less about achieving outward accomplishments and more about cultivating strong inner values, personal definitions of success, and a mindset prepared for the inevitable challenges along the journey. Mark Cole and Traci Morrow then discuss practical applications, candidly sharing their personal experiences in leadership and character growth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Inside-Out Principle of Winning

• John Maxwell opens with Truett Cathy's (Chick-fil-A founder) philosophy: "Let’s get better; the customers will demand we get bigger."
  • Quote: "If you become better and bigger on the inside, you'll become better and bigger on the outside." (01:49)
• The company’s or individual’s inner character and values determine sustainable external success.

2. Three Steps to Developing the Character of a Winner

a) Get a Personal, Inward Definition of Success

• Avoid letting success be defined solely by external achievements like money or recognition.
• John’s test: “Those closest to me, those who know me the best, they’re the ones who respect me the most.” (03:37)
  • Focus on being respected by those who see your strengths and weaknesses up close.

b) Learn and Live Good Values

• Values provide stability, especially in crisis.
  • Story: During COVID, John told Mark, “If we all go under, we all go under together—let's keep our values intact.” (06:29)
• Living out core values, even during hardship, increases your personal value and your positive impact.

c) Teach that Everything Worthwhile is Uphill

• Success requires persistent, intentional effort—nothing comes easily or quickly.
  • Quote: “People who succeed, they do what is right and then they feel good. People who fail want to feel good before they do what is right.” (08:46)
• Encourage your team: The first and most important victory is over themselves, mastering self-discipline and internal battles before external ones.

3. The Dangers of External-Only Focus

• Mark Cole: “When you allow your source of validation to come first from around you, you're believing lies, because they don't know all of you.” (16:08)
• Outward success unmoored from inward character leads to insecurity, imposter syndrome, and fragility in adversity.

4. Personal Reflections on Character and Winning

• Mark shares his past experience of “losing big time” due to character compromise, emphasizing the risks of becoming comfortable with poor choices.
  • Quote: “The greatest challenge within all of us is when we not only compromise what a winning character looks like, but when we become comfortable with it.” (13:04)
• Renewing personal discipline and character is possible at any stage.

5. Crafting Your Own Definitions of Success (Inside & Outside)

• Mark: His internal success echoes John’s: being respected most by those who know him intimately.
  • Adds: “It’s not the possessions that I gain, but it’s the relationships I sustain.” (20:24)
• His external measure of success is always about growth—progress year after year in wealth, influence, giving, and personal development.

6. Discovering and Instilling Universal Values

• Even if you didn't learn good values at home, universal principles like the Golden Rule (“Do unto others...”) are a solid base.
  • “If I see myself as valuable, I will treat you as valuable.” (26:38)
• Identify and teach values that transcend culture or religion—serving, forgiving, working hard, etc.

7. Uphill Mindset: The Realities of Achieving Anything Worthwhile

• Uphill dreams require uphill habits; human nature tempts us toward "downhill" (easy, undisciplined) paths.
  • “Nobody coasts their way to success. Nobody drifts to a destination. You've got to climb.” (31:05)
• The “uphill, all the way” principle applies to all areas of leadership and life—there are no lasting plateaus.

8. Enduring the Internal Battle

• Struggles are not a season—they are leadership.
  • Quote: “I’ve quit saying that struggles are a season. And I say struggles are leadership.” (34:51)
• Building a team’s character is about normalizing challenge, growth, and maintaining balance—even while striving for high goals.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Mark Cole: "If you become better and bigger on the inside, you'll become better and bigger on the outside." (00:20)
• John Maxwell (on Chick-fil-A): “If we get better, the customers will demand that we get bigger.” (02:19)
• John: "You can't travel without till you've traveled within. The inside determines the outside." (04:40)
• John: "People who succeed, they do what is right and then they feel good. People who fail, want to feel good before they do what’s right." (08:46)
• Mark Cole: "The greatest challenge within all of us is when we not only compromise what a winning character looks like, but when we become comfortable with it.” (13:04)
• Traci Morrow: “When a leader is focusing on the exterior and not as much the inside... it cultivates that imposter syndrome.” (18:02)
• Mark Cole: “It’s not the possessions that I gain, but it’s the relationships I sustain.” (20:24)
• John Maxwell (summed by Mark Cole): "People have uphill dreams, downhill habits, but everything worthwhile is uphill." (31:06)
• Mark Cole: “I've quit saying struggles are a season. And I say struggles are leadership.” (34:51)
• Mark: “I hope this year is filled with a challenge worth climbing. I hope your character is revealed this year as a person, a leader that is up for the challenge, that is up for the uphill.” (35:32)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:08-01:49: Mark Cole introduction; setting up the theme of developing the winner within.
• 01:49-09:44: John Maxwell’s main teaching: Character development, steps to cultivate the winner mindset.
• 10:45-16:08: Mark & Traci begin discussion, Mark’s personal story of character failure and restoration.
• 16:08-19:03: Discussion on dangers of external validation and the need for honest inner circles.
• 19:03-22:46: Personal definitions of success (internal and external); the importance of growth and generosity.
• 24:37-28:12: How to identify and live universal values, even for those who haven’t had values modeled.
• 28:12-34:23: Teaching and living the “everything worthwhile is uphill” principle; the ongoing climb of leadership.
• 34:23-37:00: Removing the illusion of "seasonal" struggle; making growth and challenge normal in leadership.
• 37:00-End: Final encouragements, resources, and challenge for the leadership journey ahead.

Memorable Analogies & Light Moments

• Ping Pong as a Sport: Mark jokes about his college only offering intramural ping pong—drawing laughter and highlighting humility in leadership. (15:17)
• *“If ping pong can be a sport, your family can be a team.” —Traci Morrow (28:12)

Practical Application & Resources

• Book Reference: "Change Your World" by John C. Maxwell – recommended for deep dives into values and character.
• Online Course Offer: Discounted "Change Your World" online course for podcast listeners via show notes. (37:00)
• Call to Action: Define your own inner and outer success; commit to growth, value relationships, and prepare for ongoing challenges.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Sustainable, meaningful success always starts with character—who you are when no one’s watching.
• Values must be lived consistently, especially during adversity.
• Every “win” externally is a reflection of inward victories over habits, discipline, and self-doubt.
• True leadership recognizes that challenges and uphill climbs reveal and forge character, every single day.

"Everything worthwhile is uphill—success is inside out."
—Maxwell Leadership Team