Leadership begins with oneself. Before influencing, one must be inspired. Before leading, one must grow. John C. Maxwell, a world referent in leadership, reminds us that personal growth is not a luxury, but a necessity. In his book, 15 invaluable laws of growth, he offers us a roadmap for moving forward with intention, character, and purpose.
As he himself states:
“Personal growth is the greatest gift you can give yourself… and the greatest legacy you can leave.”
Below, I present each of these laws, explained so you can integrate them into your daily life, both as a leader and as a person.
- The law of intentionality. “Growth doesn’t happen by accident. Personal growth requires intention, attention, and action.” Many people believe that growth is something automatic, that comes with age or experience. But that’s not the case. Growth requires determination. If you don’t plan for it, you postpone it. This law invites us to stop living on autopilot and take control of our development. Do you have a plan to grow this year?
- The law of awareness. “You can’t change unless you know what you need to change.” Knowing yourself is the first step to self-improvement. This law invites us to look inward, to identify our strengths, weaknesses, values, and purpose. Self-awareness is the foundation of all authentic leadership. Without it, it’s impossible to move forward consistently.
- The law of the mirror. “The person you see in the mirror is the only one responsible for your growth.” Growth begins with self-acceptance. You can’t improve what you don’t recognize. This law reminds us that the first leadership is personal. Accepting our history, our mistakes, and our possibilities is the starting point for any transformation.
- The law of reflection. “Experience is not the best teacher. Reflected experience is.” We live in a culture of haste, where everything happens quickly. But growth requires pauses. This law invites us to stop, think, and learn from what we’ve experienced. Reflection turns experience into wisdom. Do you make time to think?
- The law of consistency. “Motivation drives you to begin, but discipline allows you to continue.” Growth isn’t an event, it’s a process. This law reminds us that great changes come from small actions repeated every day. Discipline is the muscle of leadership. What habit are you cultivating today?
- The law of environment. “If you’re in the right place with the right people, your growth accelerates.” Your environment influences you more than you imagine. The people you surround yourself with, the spaces you inhabit, the stimuli you receive… everything shapes your mindset. This law invites us to create environments that inspire, challenge, and uplift us.
- The law of design. “People don’t plan to fail, but they fail by not planning.” Life isn’t improvised. This law encourages us to design our path with intention, structure, and vision. Growth requires strategy. Do you have a plan that brings you closer to your purpose?
I leave you with these first 7 laws of growth and recommend next week’s post, “The 15 Laws of Growth (Part II),” which covers the remaining 8 laws.
