Attitude Quote by John C. Maxwell
“When I was 17, I made the decision to have a good attitude. I was a junior in high school; the coach said I was going to be the captain of my basketball team. I thought – that surprised me because I wasn’t the best player. John Thomas was better than me, and I was probably second or third best player. And I kept thinking, “Why am I going to be the captain?” I think everybody else was thinking that too. And the coach then answered, “The reason John is going to be the captain is he has the best attitude on the team. He encourages others, he believes we can win, he never gives up.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell, 1998
Leadership is earned through attitude, not just skill; a positive mindset inspires and sustains team success.
In simple terms: Attitude matters more than talent.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate a positive attitude to lead.
Themes
leadership
attitude
teamwork
Mood
inspired
determined
Type
motivational
leadership
When to use this quote
- high school sports
- team projects
- workplace teams
- community groups
Key Concepts
Motivation
resilience
influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you model a positive attitude when faced with personal doubt?
- What steps help you maintain optimism in a struggling team?
A Different Perspective
Attitude alone may not compensate for lack of competence in high‑stakes situations.
