--- title: "10 Listening Quotes By John C. Maxwell" description: "10 Listening quotes by John C. Maxwell. Plus more from John C. Maxwell and more Listening sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/305/john-c-maxwell-113_differences_there-s-a-difference-between-listening-p_792442.jpg" --- > [ThereÂ’s a difference between listening passively and listening aggressively. To listen with your heart, you have to listen actively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/there-s-a-difference-between-listening-passively-and-listening/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/305/john-c-maxwell-113_differences_there-s-a-difference-between-listening-p_792442.jpg) > [The sheer act of listening speaks volumes that even a great speech can't communicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-sheer-act-of-listening-speaks-volumes-that-even-a-great-speech/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b19/john-c-maxwell-113_communicate_the-sheer-act-of-listening-speaks-volume_800964.jpg) > [Take the emotional temperature of those listening to you. Facial expressions, voice inflection and posture give clues to a person's mood and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/take-the-emotional-temperature-of-those-listening-to-you-facial/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/371/john-c-maxwell-113_attitude_take-the-emotional-temperature-of-those_2129193.jpg) > [There’s a difference between listening passively and listening aggressively. To listen with your heart, you have to listen actively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/there-s-a-difference-between-listening-passively-and-listening-2/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/john-c-maxwell-113_differences_there-s-a-difference-between-listening-p_2990606.jpg) > [People of influence understand the incredible value of becoming a good listener.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/people-of-influence-understand-the-incredible-value-of-becoming-a/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/john-c-maxwell-113_becoming_people-of-influence-understand-the-incre_2937977.jpg) > [Earn the right to be heard by listening to others. Seek to understand a situation before making judgments about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/earn-the-right-to-be-heard-by-listening-to-others-seek-to-understand/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/john-c-maxwell-113_heard_earn-the-right-to-be-heard-by-listening_917844.jpg) > [If you want to become a better listener, however you need to learn to direct that energy and attention positively by concentrating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-become-a-better-listener-however-you-need-to-learn-to/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff4/john-c-maxwell-113_attention_if-you-want-to-become-a-better-listener_2912967.jpg) > [“English heart surgeon Martyn Lloyd-Jones asserted, “Most unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/english-heart-surgeon-martyn-lloyd-jones-asserted-most-unhappiness-in/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/john-c-maxwell-113_life_english-heart-surgeon-martyn-lloyd-jones_3190027.jpg) > [There is no quicker way to earn respect as a leader than being slow to speak. It is called listening and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/there-is-no-quicker-way-to-earn-respect-as-a-leader-than-being-slow/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af9/john-c-maxwell-113_answers_there-is-no-quicker-way-to-earn-respect_790374.jpg) > [When you are influential and highly respected, people tend to tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/when-you-are-influential-and-highly-respected-people-tend-to-tell-you/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/256/john-c-maxwell-113_approval_when-you-are-influential-and-highly-resp_1488549.jpg) ## Other authors on Listening ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/john-c-maxwell/#itemlist", "name": "10 Listening Quotes By John C. Maxwell", "numberOfItems": 10, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "ThereÂ’s a difference between listening passively and listening aggressively. To listen with your heart, you have to listen actively.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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It is called listening and it plays a big role in what I call “The Law of Connection.” How will you know what is important to people unless you ask and listen to the answers? If you prove to be a leader who solicits feedback and pays attention to what’s being said, then you will earn your connection and your followers will respect the guidance you give.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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Maxwell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you are influential and highly respected, people tend to tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to hear. They are seeking your approval, or they flatter you. Unfortunately, this creates a gap between what you hear and reality. If you find yourself in that situation, you will need to work extra hard to get the people close to you to speak honestly into your life. And you will have to become highly intentional in observing and listening.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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