Skip to content

​Candid Conversations: Make the Most of the Middle

John Maxwell and Mark Cole sit down in this installment of Candid Conversations to reflect on the recent Exchange event in London. Hosted by John, Exchange is an annual, three-day, immersive event that puts attendees face-to-face with leadership experts in top industries and side-by-side with world-class thinkers.

This year, Exchange took place in London. John talks about how, this year, he wanted to take the attendees to the historic home of John Wesley, a place John himself visits every time he’s in London. However, after not being granted permission to visit Wesley’s home on this trip, John used the opportunity to talk with the Exchange attendees about what leaders must do when they’re unable to provide what they know is best for their people.

John retells that lesson in this episode and shares why, as leaders, it’s important to make the most of “the middle”––that place of tension between the ideal and reality.

For more episodes of The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast, visit the Episodes Page. Don’t forget to subscribe so that you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to the free bonus resources we offer for every regularly scheduled episode.

References:

Exchange 2020

Leadershift by John C. Maxwell

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell

Today Matters by John C. Maxwell

The John Maxwell Online Store

Be the first to comment on "​Candid Conversations: Make the Most of the Middle"

Leave a Reply

Latest Episodes

Good Leaders Make Friends, Not Fans

Good Leaders Make Friends, Not Fans

Maxwell Leadership July 22, 2026

Are you letting your success create distance between you and your team? In this episode, John Maxwell unpacks why leadership success can easily lead to isolation—and what you can do to resist it. Discover how making friends (not just fans) helps you stay relatable, authentic, and influential.  After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede dive into real-life strategies to help you put connection…

Listen Now »
How to Stabilize Your Success

How to Stabilize Your Success

Maxwell Leadership July 15, 2026

How do you keep your success from becoming the very thing that sabotages your leadership? In this week’s episode, John Maxwell reveals the overlooked practices that stabilize lasting achievement and keep leaders grounded at every stage of their journey.  After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson share real-world strategies and thoughtful application to help you translate John’s insights into leadership habits…

Listen Now »
Learn These Skills to Become a Memorable Leader: A Fireside Chat with John Maxwell and Jeff Henderson

Learn These Skills to Become a Memorable Leader: A Fireside Chat with John Maxwell and Jeff Henderson

Maxwell Leadership July 8, 2026

Do you want to be the kind of leader people never forget? This week in a first-of-its-kind react-style Maxwell Leadership Podcast episode, John Maxwell sits down with Jeff Henderson to share the essential skills that turn everyday leadership into a lasting legacy. As John teaches, Mark Cole provides practical strategies to help you activate John’s teachings and elevate your impact right now. …

Listen Now »

Find An Episode

Search the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Network for the episode you’re looking for!

Filter Results
Podcast
Maxwell Leadership Podcast