John C. Maxwell

Background & Expertise

John C. Maxwell is widely regarded as the world’s preeminent leadership expert, with a career spanning over 50 years as a pastor, businessman, and leadership coach. Born in 1947, Maxwell founded The John Maxwell Company, The John Maxwell Team, EQUIP, and the John Maxwell Leadership Foundation—organizations that have trained millions of leaders across the globe. His journey began as a church leader, where he developed many of his foundational leadership principles before expanding his influence to the business world.

Maxwell holds the unique distinction of being the only author to have written books that have sold more than a million copies each on the New York Times bestseller list. His bibliographic contribution to leadership literature is unparalleled in both volume and impact.

Signature Concepts & Methodologies

The 5 Levels of Leadership

Maxwell’s framework that defines leadership growth from Position (people follow because they have to), to Permission (people follow because they want to), to Production (people follow because of results), to People Development (people follow because of what the leader has done for them), to Pinnacle (people follow because of who the leader is).

The Law of the Lid

The principle that leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness, with higher leadership capability raising the “lid” on personal and organizational potential.

Intentional Living

The practice of aligning daily actions with core values and purpose to create positive, lasting impact.

Leadership Development Pipeline

Maxwell’s systematic approach to identifying, nurturing, and developing leaders at all organizational levels.

Books & Thought Leadership

• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (Over 3 million copies sold)
• Developing the Leader Within You
• The 5 Levels of Leadership
• Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace
• Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn
• Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters

Maxwell has authored over 80 books on leadership, selling more than 33 million copies worldwide.

Speaking Style & Audience Experience

Maxwell delivers keynotes with a unique blend of storytelling, humor, and profound wisdom derived from decades of leadership experience. His speaking style is characterized by accessibility and practicality—complex leadership principles are distilled into actionable frameworks that audience members can immediately implement.

His presentations often include memorable aphorisms and principles (Maxwell-isms) that encapsulate deep leadership truths in simple, portable language. Maxwell connects with audiences through authenticity, creating an intimate atmosphere even in large venues. He frequently incorporates interaction and application exercises that transform passive listeners into active participants.

Ideal Audiences & Event Types

• Corporate leadership teams across all organizational levels
• Sales organizations and network marketing companies
• Faith-based organizations and nonprofits
• International development and diplomatic organizations
• Educational institutions and leadership academies
• Annual conventions and leadership development events

Recent Focus Areas

• Developing adaptability in leaders navigating rapid change
• Creating multi-generational leadership development strategies
• Building leadership cultures that scale across international boundaries
• Integrating character development with leadership effectiveness