Episode 474: A Lesson in Leadership

Synopsis

Dr. Misner won the Maxwell Leadership award for 2016. While at the conference, he learned a terrific lesson in networking.

Back in the 1970s, John Maxwell offered a quarter of his annual income for the opportunity to interview the top ten pastors in his field. Only two of them took him up on it. At the end of each of the two interviews, he asked whether they could introduce him to any of the remaining eight. Because of the quality of the time they had spent together, both of them happily did, and he was ultimately able to interview all ten.

Here are four lessons that Dr. Misner took from this story.

1. Don’t expect something for nothing. Asking for favors from people you don’t know just doesn’t work.

2. Be prepared. Don’t waste people’s time.

3. Take notes and follow advice when you’re meeting with people who are more successful than you are.

4. Ask people who meet with you whether they thought the meeting was worth their time. Only ask for referrals if they think it was.

This story is not just a lesson in leadership: it’s a lesson in networking.

Episode 474