logo
episode-header-image
Jun 6
37m 12s

*Never* Hire Your Friends

JOHN MAXWELL
About this episode

If you want to love the people you work with and lead them effectively, build a community of friendship in the workplace. In this bonus episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, Mark Cole is joined by special guest Marcylle Combs to discuss her brand-new book, Never Hire Your Friends! 

Key takeaways: 

  • Too many people say that humility is a weakness and not a strength.

  • Speak honesty with kindness, especially when its going to hurt. 

  • Having fun with your team isn't just a nice idea  it's serious business. 

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the *Never* Hire Your Friends Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from this teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/HireYourFriends and clicking Download the Bonus Resource.  

References: 

Watch this episode on YouTube! 

Click here to order your copy of Marcylle’s new leadership connection resource, Never Hire Your Friends! 

Enroll in the Every Day with Purpose Online Course for $49 (Regular $199) 

Courage to Continue Podcast Episode 

Mindset Matters Podcast Episode 

Are you a young leader? Take our Next Generation Leader survey and receive The Mentors Guide to Everyday Challenges for FREE! 

Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams! 

Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team 

Shop the Maxwell Leadership Online Store

Up next
Aug 22
Live Live Rich
Living life rich is about so much more than the number at the bottom of your bank statement. In this bonus episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, Mark Cole and Jared Cagle discuss freedom – financial, emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual – with speaker, coach, and f ... Show More
41m 17s
Aug 13
Leadership Rhythm: When to Push, Pull, or be Patient
Ever wondered what dancing and effective leadership have in common? It’s all about rhythm. In this episode, John Maxwell is sharing how you can know when to push your people, when to pull them, and when to be patient with them in the process. After John’s lesson, Mark Cole and Tr ... Show More
42m 40s
Aug 6
Strategies to Stop Complacency
When you’re tempted to stop moving forward, there are a few key strategies that will keep you going — and John Maxwell is sharing those strategies in this episode! After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson sit down to discuss what John has talked about and help you practical ... Show More
35m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2022
Episode 34: Teaching Champions with Brian Martin
Brian Martin is a second grade teacher and has taught for 20 years in a rural district in Western New York. He is a former assistant coach for his school’s boys varsity basketball team and veteran of the United States Army having served in Iraq. He is the Host of the Teaching Cha ... Show More
57m 26s
Dec 2024
199: Here's Why Nobody Cares and Some People Win with Robert J. Hunt | The Accountability Guy
When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career:   1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational development actions and key points you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work.   2. Join us at Happy ... Show More
1h 4m
Feb 2025
3 More Questions (Harris Barton) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What kind of coaching would you give a player or a teammate who made a public mistake that everyone was talking about? What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to own up to? What are some of the signs that ... Show More
8m 49s
Feb 2025
3 More Questions (Allan Thygesen) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How would you go about offering coaching? Where did you learn to be a great salesperson? How did you and do you stay visible as a leader? ———GO DEEPER Scale up your leadership skills in 2 minutes a day wi ... Show More
11m 30s
Mar 2025
3 More Questions (Pat Battle) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: As a leader, when you do something that’s never been done before…how do you prepare for the potential pushback? What should leaders consider when deciding how to integrate and retain employees after an acq ... Show More
10m 22s
Jul 2024
John Maxwell on High Road Leadership
Unlock the Secrets to High-Road Leadership with John Maxwell! This week, I'm honored to sit down, AGAIN, with the legendary John Maxwell, a titan in the world of leadership and personal development. We're diving into groundbreaking insights from his latest book, "High Road Leader ... Show More
1h 1m
Jul 2023
Mastering Difficult Conversations at Work with Darlene Hawley
Join us as we unlock the secrets to address difficult conversations. Discover practical tips for effective communication, conflict resolution, and mentorship. Learn how to approach sensitive discussions with empathy, maintain authenticity throughout, and foster understanding even ... Show More
28m 56s
Jun 2024
684: How to Be a Better Mentor, with Ruth Gotian
Ruth Gotian: The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Ruth Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer and Associate Professor of Education in Anaesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has been hailed by Nature and The Wall Street Journal as an expert in mentorship and leader­ship de ... Show More
38m 3s
Aug 2024
Coaching versus Therapy
Tired of feeling like a fraud, a leader searches for help down different paths. She and her coach talk about how coaching is, and is not, like therapy.The leader in this episode wrestles with feelings of being a fraud. Tom talks about three resources to help manage that feeling:“ ... Show More
23m 19s
Feb 2025
3 More Questions (Jamie Dimon) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: What’s changed about leadership since you’ve been out of Yum? Why do you think Jamie gets a much more realistic answer when he asks his employees what compensation they think they deserve? Can you tell us ... Show More
15m 26s