Maxwell Leadership Podcast
Episode: How to Embrace Intentional Living
Host: John Maxwell
Co-hosts: Mark Cole, Chris Robinson
Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the concept of intentional living—a philosophy and daily practice advocated by John C. Maxwell. The hosts break down what intentional living is, why it matters for transformational leadership, and how anyone can begin applying it in both big and small ways. The episode draws heavily from John Maxwell’s seminal book, Intentional Living, and features practical insights, memorable stories, and actionable steps to help listeners move from passively coasting through life to making deliberate, meaningful choices that impact themselves and others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Intentional Living

[05:01] John Maxwell’s Lesson

• Intentional living is a life that brings you daily satisfaction and continual rewards as you intentionally make a difference, small or large, in the lives of others.
• Many people live reactively, adapting targets to fit wherever they land (“Brother Juniper and the backyard arrow” analogy).
• Living without intention is like playing games with no goals (“golfing without a hole,” “bowling without pins”).

2. Personal Stories of Intentionality

[05:55] Maxwell’s Childhood Basketball Story

• John’s story about longing for a basketball hoop while only having a backboard—demonstrates how pursuing something with clear intention (a goal) makes the journey meaningful.
• “It’s no fun to shoot a basketball without a basketball rim. It’s no fun to go into life without purpose, goal, and intentionality.” — John Maxwell [06:59]

3. Significance Over Success

• “Most people fear that significance is out of their reach. Every person can be significant… you don’t have to be famous or rich… All you have to do is make a difference with others, wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day.” — John Maxwell [07:30]
• The “stone in water” metaphor: impact starts small but ripples outward.

4. From Trying to Doing

• Emphasis on action over intent:
  “I’ve never been impressed with a verse that says, ‘I’ll try my best.’ What does ‘try’ mean? I want you to say ‘I’ll do my best. I’m going to do it.’” — John Maxwell [08:23]
• Making a difference doesn’t require waiting until you’re skilled or experienced—just starting.

5. Intentionality in Leadership and Relationships

[11:03] Post-Lesson Conversation: Mark Cole & Chris Robinson

• Mark shares how John Maxwell lives out intentional living, describing it as “increasingly, emphatically, and exponentially intentional.”
• Chris points out John’s consistency: he lives as he teaches, creating very little “gap” between his public persona and private self.
• Discussion on “business ethics” parallels: There’s no such thing as business ethics; just ethics. Similarly, there’s no “stage intentionality” vs. “life intentionality”—it’s about integrity in all spheres.

6. The Turning Point for Personal Intentionality

• Mark Cole recounts:
  • At age 5, intentional about small things (influencing family dinner plans).
  • At age 30, shifted from building an external reputation as a leader to intentionally developing his own character and internal leadership.
  • “I was intentional on being perceived as a good leader. But there’s a big difference [from actually being a good leader].” — Mark Cole [16:00]

7. The “Intentionality Lottery” and Motive Matters

• Chris: People often abandon intentional living if their efforts aren’t reciprocated; they treat it like a lottery, expecting a return.
• Mark: True intentionality is about the motive—are you trying to manipulate (serve self) or motivate (serve others)?
  • “Motive matters… Is it manipulation or motivation?” — Mark Cole [18:45]

8. Intentional Generosity — John Maxwell’s Everyday Actions

Memorable Stories:

• Mark tells of John carrying cash to give discretely to those in need—even when there’s no chance of getting anything in return.

  • “True generosity is when you can give it with no anticipation, no possibility of a return.” — John Maxwell (relayed by Mark Cole) [20:09]

• Example: John giving $100 to a struggling street musician, sparking an outpouring of generosity from others, ultimately changing that individual’s night.

• Chris shares similar experiences, like John tipping unseen staff (e.g., greenskeepers at golf courses), purposely seeking out “unthanked” people for appreciation.

9. Intentional Connection — Practical Applications

• Chris shares a story of Dexter Godfrey, a fellow team member, who brings dozens of handwritten cards and Starbucks gift cards to conferences, writing out notes and giving them to new acquaintances each night—illustrating intentional connection (not seeking returns).

• Mark references Jeff Henderson’s discipline in sending kind notes and messages—a revived and meaningful practice in the digital age.

• ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAY:

  • “Podcast family, I’m going to really challenge you to find somebody this week to write a handwritten note to that you need to slip in the mail. Take a lesson from Dexter and Jeff Henderson—intentionality makes a difference.” — Mark Cole [27:39]

10. Daily Application of Intentional Living

• Chris challenges listeners: In what areas, relationships, or actions do you need to become more intentional?

  • “Life is better on the other side of intentionality.” — Chris Robinson [28:34]

• Mark reiterates: Make intentional living part of your story—not just for yourself, but for the benefit of others.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Maxwell [05:01]:
  “Intentional living is the bridge that will lead you to a life that matters.”

• John Maxwell [07:30]:
  “To be significant, you don’t have to be famous or rich… All you have to do is make a difference with others wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day.”

• John Maxwell [08:23]:
  “I’ve never been impressed with a verse that says, ‘I’ll try my best.’ What does try mean? I want you to say, ‘I’ll do my best.’”

• Chris Robinson [12:22]:
  “He’s got the closest gap from who he is on stage to who he is in person.”

• Mark Cole [16:00]:
  “I was intentional on being perceived as a good leader. But there’s a big difference [from actually being a good leader].”

• Mark Cole [18:45]:
  “Motive matters… Is it manipulation or motivation?”

• Mark Cole [20:09]:
  “True generosity is when you can give it with no anticipation, no possibility of a return.” (relaying Maxwell’s principle)

• Chris Robinson [28:34]:
  “Life is better on the other side of intentionality.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:15 – Episode & Hosts’ Introduction; Chris Robinson on writing his book and the importance of intentionality
• 05:01 – John Maxwell’s lesson on intentional living: definition, importance, and practical meaning
• 07:30 – How to live a significant life; “stone in water” metaphor
• 08:23 – Shifting from “trying” to “doing”; beginner mindset
• 11:03 – Mark & Chris debrief Maxwell’s lesson: intentionality as the core of leadership
• 13:17 – John Maxwell’s view: no difference between business and personal intentionality
• 15:12 – Mark Cole’s personal story: discovering intentionality in self-leadership
• 18:24 – The “lottery mentality” and the importance of motives in being intentional
• 20:09 – John Maxwell’s private acts of intentional generosity—impactful stories
• 24:40 – Other examples: Dexter Godfrey’s and Jeff Henderson’s intentional note-writing
• 27:39 – Action challenge: Write a handwritten note to someone this week
• 28:34 – Final reflection and challenges for listeners to apply intentionality

Takeaways & Listener Challenge

• Identify areas, relationships, or actions where you can commit to being more intentional.
• Adopt a “do” rather than “try” mindset—start small, practice consistently.
• Seek significance in daily living: look for ways to add value with no expectation of return.
• This week, act with intentionality by writing (and mailing) a handwritten note to someone you want to appreciate or connect with.
• Make intentionality part of your personal story, focusing on how your actions impact others.

Related Book Recommendations (from listener Q&A):

• Everyone Communicates, Few Connect – John Maxwell
• 25 Ways to Win with People – John Maxwell
• Good Leaders Ask Great Questions – John Maxwell
• How to Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie

“Choose a life that matters, so that it will matter to others.” — Mark Cole [end of episode]