Maxwell Leadership Podcast

Episode Title: What to Expect When You Take the High Road
Host: John Maxwell (featuring Mark Cole & Traci Morrow)
Date: December 17, 2025

Overview

In this episode, John Maxwell and co-hosts Mark Cole and Traci Morrow explore the realities of high road leadership—the commitment to doing the right thing, for the right reasons, even when it comes with a steep cost. They discuss what leaders can expect when they consistently choose integrity and selflessness, the toll it takes, and why it’s always worth it. The conversation includes heartfelt anecdotes, practical wisdom, and encouragement for leaders ending the year reflecting on their journey and preparing to “pay the price” again in the coming year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Cost of High Road Leadership

(05:15 – 09:50 | John C. Maxwell’s Segment)

• Doing what’s right is never free. The first time you “pay” is always the hardest, as the experience is new and often misunderstood or criticized by others.
• Leaders can’t make everyone happy. Trying to do so is not only futile but diverts from the real goal: doing what’s right for the right reasons.
• The process is ongoing: “Your account is never paid in full.” High road leadership is not a one-time decision but a continual commitment.
• The true value of high road decisions isn’t measured in immediate success, but in long-term growth, clear conscience, and credibility.

“Doing what's right often has a price. As you strive to take the high road by doing what's right for the right reasons, here’s what you should expect: the first time you pay is the hardest.”
— John C. Maxwell (05:18)

2. Experience, Sacrifice, and Regret

(13:13 – 16:38)

• Mark shares personal experiences where he made sacrifices expecting outcomes that didn’t materialize—yet never regretted acting with integrity.
• Leaders often only appreciate the value of paying the price in reflection, not during the struggle itself.
• The “Pay Now, Play Later” adage is updated: truly, “pay now to pay more later”—as levels of leadership and responsibility only increase with time and growth.

"Anytime I paid the price for something I felt was worth it, I have no regrets. Literally no regrets."
— Mark Cole (14:34)

"High road leadership is like that. You don’t make a one-time decision to walk the high road... It's a constant, everyday decision."
— Mark Cole (17:26)

3. The Importance of Mentors and the Inner Circle

(18:10 – 22:44)

• Facing the cost of leadership alone is unsustainable; having mentors and a supportive inner circle is crucial.
• Leaders need people they can be vulnerable with—a mentor or peer group that holds them accountable and provides perspective.

"You cannot do it. You can't make the journey by yourself. Loneliness should be a state of mind, of seeing more and before—not a state of relationship where you have nobody around you."
— Mark Cole (20:07)

4. Motives: Motivation vs. Manipulation

(22:44 – 24:32)

• Motives matter: high road leadership is rooted in helping others, not self-interest.
• Leaders must regularly audit their motives to ensure they’re truly acting to benefit others, not manipulating to serve themselves.

"When your motive is for your benefit rather than the benefit of others, you’re not on a high road, you’re on a low road."
— Mark Cole (22:58)

5. Counting the Cost: The Never-ending Nature of High Road Leadership

(24:32 – 28:09)

• The price of high road leadership never fully goes away; willingness to keep paying is the true measure.
• Mark uses the analogy of making a significant purchase without asking the price—if you need to know the cost, you may not truly be committed.
• The right question is not “How much?” but “Am I willing to pay whatever is required?”

"There are some things in life that are so worthy that the price point is never the question. The invitation and the willingness to do whatever it takes is the answer."
— Mark Cole (26:16)

6. Relationships, Team, and Loss

(28:09 – 32:12)

• Leaders often delay tough decisions about team members and relationships out of a desire to please or avoid conflict—usually to their detriment.
• Mark references Bishop T.D. Jakes’ categories of confidant, constituent, and comrade to explain the dynamics of support and loyalty within teams.
• Regular “relationship inventory” is necessary: Are those closest to you lifting you up or pulling you down?

"I have allowed, on two occasions in my career, a confidant to overstay their place in a comrade role...and by doing that, I lost them as a confidant."
— Mark Cole (30:30)

7. Encouragement: Gratitude and Momentum

(33:34 – 36:44)

• Even though “there is no finish line” in high road leadership, the role does come with seasons of momentum and fulfillment.
• Mark emphasizes the power of gratitude to conquer fatigue and negativity.

"I always replace the price that I’m paying with the ability to pay it, with the opportunity to pay it...Today’s story is, can you believe I’m still considering this? Can you believe the opportunity that is ahead of me?"
— Mark Cole (34:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John C. Maxwell’s Opening Truth:
  “Doing what's right often has a price. As you strive to take the high road by doing what's right for the right reasons, here’s what you should expect: the first time you pay is the hardest.” (05:18)

• Mark Cole, on Never Regretting Integrity:
  “Anytime I paid the price for something I felt was worth it, I have no regrets. Literally no regrets.” (14:34)

• Mark Cole, on Daily Decisions:
  “High road leadership is like that...It's a constant, everyday decision.” (17:26)

• Mark Cole, on Leadership Loneliness:
  “You cannot do it. You can’t make the journey by yourself...Loneliness should be a state of mind, of seeing more and before—not a state of relationship where you have nobody around you.” (20:07)

• Mark Cole, Motive Check:
  “When your motive is for your benefit rather than the benefit of others, you’re not on a high road, you’re on a low road.” (22:58)

• Mark Cole, On Commitment:
  “There are some things in life that are so worthy that the price point is never the question. The invitation and the willingness to do whatever it takes is the answer.” (26:16)

• Mark Cole, On Annual Relationship Inventory:
  “I am very accountable to allowing people to stay in my proximity that are pulling me down.” (31:36)

• Mark Cole, On Shifting Mindset:
  “I always replace the price that I’m paying with the ability to pay it, with the opportunity to pay it…” (34:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Main Theme Introduction & Transitions: 01:18–05:09
• John Maxwell Lesson: What to Expect When You Take the High Road: 05:15–09:50
• Cost of High Road Leadership (Reflection/Discussion): 13:13–17:00
• Mentors, Inner Circle, and Relationships: 18:10–22:44
• Motives in Leadership: 22:44–24:32
• Annual Reflection & Willingness to Pay: 24:32–28:09
• Relationships and Team Dynamics: 28:09–32:12
• Momentum and Gratitude: 33:34–36:44

Additional Insights

• Leadership isn’t about a one-time act of bravery but persistent choices to act with integrity, even when it's unappreciated or unseen.
• Regular self-inquiry and gratitude are key to staying the course when costs feel overwhelming.
• The need for mentors and an honest inner circle is acute—leaders are called to both transparency with trusted peers and strength with those they serve.
• Every year, leaders are invited to reflect, inventory relationships, and freshly commit to taking the high road—no matter the price.

Closing

The hosts encourage listeners to embrace the ongoing cost of high road leadership—not as a burden, but as an honor and opportunity. By leading with clear motives, surrounding themselves with supportive mentors, and maintaining gratitude, leaders can pay the price and do so joyfully, impacting others for the better.

“Go do something powerful positive with your leadership, because everyone deserves to be led.”
— Mark Cole (37:34)

Recommended resources and related episodes are available in the show notes