John Maxwell Company Executive Leadership Podcast

In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede discuss the transition from being an individual contributor to becoming a leader. They provide practical tips for soloists to prepare themselves for leadership roles, such as leading without a title, building relationships, and managing themselves effectively. They also encourage soloists to let go of being the expert and celebrate team wins, fostering an abundance mentality. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of studying leadership, asking questions, and seeking feedback to enhance personal growth and influence. The episode offers valuable insights for individual contributors looking to develop their leadership skills and increase their impact within their organizations. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Turn leadership development into a daily habit with the Maxwell Daily Reader Up-level your leadership game with the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership  

Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the concept of the multi-hat leader and the importance of adapting to different leadership situations. They outline four essential hats—coach, advisor, leader, and mentor—and share insights on when and how to switch between them. Drawing from personal experiences, they offer practical advice for overcoming the challenges of wearing multiple hats and choosing the right one to lead effectively. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!

In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the importance of team unity and how leaders can drive it within their organizations. They discuss the need for leaders to define what unity looks like in terms of behaviors and actions, setting a shared expectation for the team. They also suggest ways leaders can build trust and vulnerability among team members, such as having each person share their strengths, areas for improvement, and personal stories. Additionally, they propose creating a team agreement or unity charter that outlines how team members will communicate, handle disagreements, and support each other, even when not in the same room. Throughout the episode, Goede and Holley provide practical tips and insights to help leaders foster a strong, cohesive team culture that drives performance and success. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!

In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the importance of critical thinking for leaders. They explain how critical thinking helps leaders enhance their problem-solving skills, make informed decisions, and communicate more effectively. The hosts also share practical tips for developing critical thinking skills, such as asking thoughtful questions, evaluating information sources, and considering multiple perspectives. Additionally, they encourage leaders to engage in diverse conversations and embrace uncertainty as part of the critical thinking process. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!

In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore how leaders can develop confidence in themselves and their abilities. They share insights from Bill Belichick's book, The Art of Winning, which emphasizes the importance of preparation, mastering details, and owning mistakes in building confidence. They also discuss the value of creating challenging scenarios for teams to help them perform under pressure and be ready to respond in real-world situations. Furthermore, they examine the paradox of balancing confidence with humility, noting that while confidence earns followers, humility earns trust. The episode offers practical strategies and a thought-provoking perspective on cultivating authentic confidence as a leader. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!

Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore gravitas as a key element of leadership presence and influence. They share practical ways to develop it—building self-awareness, communicating with confidence and humility, and staying calm under pressure. With consistency and integrity, leaders can inspire trust, command attention, and strengthen connections with their teams. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore strategies for working effectively with complicated people. They discuss the importance of seeing individuals as people rather than problems and offer practical tools for fostering collaboration and understanding. They also emphasize the role of clear communication in reducing friction and frustration when working with difficult colleagues. Additionally, they highlight the value of setting boundaries to protect time, energy, and productivity while still maintaining positive working relationships. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the concept of balancing the push and pull of leadership. They discuss the importance of building positive relationships, demonstrating technical competence, and showing consistency in order to establish trust with team members. The hosts explain the dangers of focusing too heavily on either the push (driving for results) or the pull (inspiring and empowering others) aspects of leadership, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. Throughout the conversation, they provide practical insights and strategies for leaders to effectively navigate the tension between pushing for performance and pulling for growth, ultimately leading to a more engaged and productive team. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley explore the key attributes and mindsets leaders need to embrace to lead their teams to victory. They discuss the importance of taking full responsibility as a leader, especially in times of difficulty or setbacks, as this builds trust and accountability within the team. They also stress the significance of having a unified vision that is clearly communicated and understood by all team members, ensuring everyone is working towards the same goals. Furthermore, they emphasize the need for leaders to develop a winning mindset and create a culture that supports resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley unpack the power of momentum and why it’s a game-changer for leadership and team performance. They explore how momentum starts—with a clear vision, realistic goals, and a culture of collaboration—and why leaders must protect the “spark” that sets it in motion. You’ll hear practical strategies and real-world examples to help you build, sustain, and amplify momentum, while avoiding common missteps that can bring it to a halt. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede address the common assumption that only extroverts can be effective leaders. They highlight the unique strengths and abilities that introverted leaders bring to the table, such as their ability to steady a room, think deeply, and listen closely. They also discuss how introverted leaders excel in one-on-one situations, providing motivation through empathy and supporting people with intention and care. Additionally, they explore how the 5 Levels of Leadership model applies to both introverted and extroverted leaders, emphasizing that leadership is about influence, regardless of personality type. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

Inclusive communication is key to building trust and belonging on any team. This episode explores practical ways leaders can communicate more effectively—by listening actively, using inclusive language, and encouraging diverse perspectives. You’ll also get tips for running more inclusive meetings, like sharing agendas in advance, setting clear expectations, and making space for all voices to be heard. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the concept of unwritten rules and their impact on inclusive leadership. They explain how these implied expectations can unintentionally exclude team members and hinder their sense of belonging within the organization. Holley and Goede provide practical strategies for leaders to identify and address their own unwritten rules, such as asking the team for feedback and auditing decision-making processes. They also stress the importance of celebrating curiosity, learning about team members' backgrounds, and leading with vulnerability to foster a more inclusive culture. The episode offers valuable insights for leaders striving to create an environment where every team member feels valued, safe, and able to bring their authentic selves to work. References: Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the importance of empathy in leadership and how it shapes a culture where people feel seen, valued, and cared for, ultimately driving higher retention and engagement. They share practical strategies for developing empathy, including staying curious, asking open-ended questions, and leading with vulnerability and transparency. The conversation highlights the role of emotional intelligence, authenticity, and modeling empathetic behavior to foster a culture of understanding and respect across the organization. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!

Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the importance of authenticity in leadership, offering insights on how leaders can cultivate self-awareness, recognize their unique strengths and weaknesses, and consistently communicate their core values. They emphasize the power of vulnerability and transparency in building genuine connections with team members and highlight the value of daily self-reflection as a catalyst for personal growth and greater compassion for others. Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!

Join Perry Holley and Chris Goede as they share strategies for developing charisma and its role in effective leadership. They explain that charisma is not an innate trait but a learnable skill that involves focusing on others, making them feel valued, and connecting with them genuinely. They introduce a three-part model for developing charisma: becoming interested in people, investing in people, and being interesting to people.  References: Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member!  

In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley discuss strategies for leading a remote workforce effectively. They share insightful data from a recent Gallup report, which reveals the engagement levels and overall well-being of remote, hybrid, and on-site employees. Chris and Perry explore the factors that contribute to the mental and emotional challenges faced by remote workers, such as physical distance, excessive autonomy, and technology frustrations. They also provide practical tips for leaders to enhance the experience and engagement of their remote teams, including encouraging frequent and varied communication, exhibiting inclusive leadership behaviors, promoting cross-team collaboration, and supporting work-life balance. References: Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member! Get the Maxwell Leadership Growth Plan!

In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede explore the concept of micromanagement and its potential benefits in leadership. They discuss the importance of leaders ensuring their expectations are clearly communicated and fully understood by their teams to drive the desired outcomes. They also stress the need for leaders to be aware of what's happening in their organizations so they can provide necessary support and course corrections. Additionally, they highlight the significance of building strong relationships with team members, as this fosters trust and allows for more effective micromanagement when needed. References: Download the FREE Learner Guide for this episode at MaxwellLeadership.com/Podcast Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member at MaxwellLeadership.com/JoinTheTeam.

In this episode, Chris Goede and Perry Holley discuss the importance of effective feedback for leaders with guest Jeff Hancher. They explore the different types of feedback, such as directive, supportive, and collaborative, and how leaders can determine the best approach for each situation. Jeff shares personal stories that illustrate the power of earning the right to give feedback and the transformative impact it can have on leadership development.  References: Download the FREE Learner Guide for this episode at MaxwellLeadership.com/Podcast Become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member at MaxwellLeadership.com/JoinTheTeam.  

In this episode, Perry Holley and Chris Goede welcome guest Jeff Hancher to discuss the importance of giving firm feedback as a leader. Jeff shares his expertise on how leaders can deliver challenging conversations effectively, tying it to the engagement and performance of their teams. He provides a practical framework for earning the right to give tough feedback by setting clear expectations, investing time in people, and ensuring accountability. Jeff also shares a personal story illustrating the transformative power of a leader who cared enough to have a firm conversation with him during a difficult time, which changed the trajectory of his life and career. Click here to pre-order your copy of Jeff Hancher's Firm Feedback in a Fragile World!