logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
40m 43s

What You Focus on Expands (Part 1)

JOHN MAXWELL
About this episode

If what you focus on expands and what you put behind you shrinks, what should you be focusing on in your leadership? This week, we're starting a two-part series where John Maxwell answers this question and gives you 4 things that you need to put in front of you! 

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson discuss what John has shared and offer you practical advice for how you can apply it to your life and leadership. 

Key takeaways: 

  • Spend time with the right people. 

  • You equip people off of strengths; you counsel people off of weaknesses. 

  • People need clarity and direction in their lives. 

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the What You Focus on Expands (Part 1) Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Expand and clicking "Download the Bonus Resource." 

This episode is sponsored by BELAY:  

Leaders, stop trying to do it all yourself. The best leaders know their limits, operate out of their strengths, and set others up for success.

Find freedom with BELAY — pairing you with vetted U.S. virtual assistants so you can focus on what matters.    To help you get started, BELAY is offering Maxwell Leadership listeners a free download of their resource, the Delegation Worksheet & Guide. Just text MAXWELL to 55123 for FREE access.

References: 

Watch this episode on YouTube! 

Enroll in the Every Day With Purpose online course for $49 (reg. $199) 

The Foundation of a Leader Podcast Episode 

Think Ahead with Craig Groeschel Podcast Episode 

Are you a young leader? Take our Next Generation Leader survey and receive The Mentor's 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
Nov 19
Stop Meaning Well, Start Living Well
<div class="SCXW228100959 BCX0"> <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW228100959 BCX0"> <p class="Paragraph SCXW228100959 BCX0" data-ccp-border-bottom= "0px none #000000" data-ccp-padding-bottom="0px" data-ccp-border-between="0px none #000000" data-ccp-padding-between="0px"><span cl ... Show More
39m 29s
Nov 12
How to Make Your Future Bigger than Your Past
In this episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, John C. Maxwell shares timeless principles for turning your personal development into a lifelong journey of growth. You'll learn how to use your past as a teacher—not a trap—and apply positive thinking techniques and goal-setting ... Show More
32m 41s
Nov 5
Quiet Confidence: Leading Without the Applause
If your confidence is determined by validation, your performance will be, too. In this episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, John is sharing 4 keys to shifting from reliance on recognition to resilient self-assurance! After John's lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson discuss ... Show More
33m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
Episode 174: Building Resilience and Avoiding Burnout
On this solo episode of the podcast, we explore a vital topic for school leaders: maintaining resilience and avoiding burnout. I discuss five practical strategies to help you stay grounded, energized, and focused, even amidst the demands of leadership. From setting boundaries and ... Show More
15m 40s
Jul 2025
Self-Leadership - One of Four Leader Prerequisites
"Send me a text message and let me know what you think of the First-Time Leaders Accelerated℠ Podcast."This episode will be my final episode of 2025. I will be focusing on what I believe is the most important leader skill, Self-Leadership. Self-leadership is a fancy way of descri ... Show More
7m 10s
Mar 2025
Technology Timeout Tips and More
"Send me a text message and let me know what you think of the First-Time Leaders Accelerated℠ Podcast."We live in an “always on” and “always connected” world. We expect instant gratification, either accessing information or receiving a response.Are you prepared to lead people? Fi ... Show More
9m 14s
Jun 2024
People-Centered Leader Cycle
"Send me a text message and let me know what you think of the First-Time Leaders Accelerated℠ Podcast."Many things in life are cyclical. Leading people is no different. Today I will explain the People-Centered Leader Cycle. Are you prepared to lead people? Find Out If you need a ... Show More
8m 28s
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 ... Show More
11m 30s
Mar 2025
How to Answer Questions Powerfully
A leader was given one goal for his coaching: improve how he answered questions. Knowing he struggled with this not only at work, but at home, he asked his coach for tools. Our free PDF shows the two scripts: one for closed-ended questions, one for open-ended. Download it here.Do ... Show More
22m 54s
Mar 2025
725: Leading with Humility: Three Shifts that Empower Others, with Joel Pérez
Joel Pérez: Dear White Leader Joel Pérez is an executive and leadership coach, speaker, and consultant who is passionate about helping leaders and organizations achieve their goals and develop a posture of cultural humility. He has over twenty years of experience in higher educa ... Show More
39m 15s
Jul 2025
Episode 392 - Leadership Is Easy...Said No One Ever
In this episode, we unpack the humorous but brutally honest analogy about leadership being like riding a bike on fire. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to lead through chaos and why burnout doesn't mean you're failing.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on you ... Show More
5m 14s
Jun 2024
Why Your NETWORK Is Your ULTIMATE Draft Pick | Patrick Bet-David EP 658
<p>Have you listened to the <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/1547-pod">FULL EPISODE yet?</a></p><p>"The edge is working under somebody that's a killer and you're able to get behind closed doors, not just the front because the front is an ad, but I want to get in the room with five ... Show More
7m 27s
Oct 2022
5 Myths About Leadership That Are Holding You Back [080]
Over my time as a leadership coach, I’ve heard from many emerging leaders what appear (to them) to be very valid reasons as to why they’re not ready for leadership. They might say, “I don’t know all I need to know yet”, “I’m not extroverted enough”, or “I don’t have the title of ... Show More
18m 56s