---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Acquiring and keeping good people is a…"
description: "\"Acquiring and keeping good people is a leader's most important task.\" — John C. Maxwell"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0e/john-c-maxwell-113_good-people_acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-l_2711681.jpg"
---

#  Acquiring and keeping good people is a leader's most…

![“Acquiring and keeping good people is a leader's most important task.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0e/john-c-maxwell-113_good-people_acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-l_2711681.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0e/john-c-maxwell-113_good-people_acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-l_2711681.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0e/john-c-maxwell-113_good-people_acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-l_2711681.jpg)

> “Acquiring and keeping good people is a leader's most important task.”

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Hiring and retaining talent is a leader's top priority.

**In simple terms:** Leaders must focus on getting and keeping good people.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize talent acquisition and retention.

Themes

leadership talent management team building

Mood

pragmatic motivational

Type

business strategic

When to use this quote

- recruitment
- employee development
- performance reviews

Key Concepts

human resources organizational culture

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you improve employee retention?
- What qualities define a valuable team member?

A Different Perspective

Retention is costly without culture; focus on fit.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Good people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-people/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

## Related quotes

> [If you're a leader, it's important to set aside time to quiet yourself and listen for God's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-re-a-leader-it-s-important-to-set-aside-time-to-quiet-yourself/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [The leader is there for the people, not the people for the leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-leader-is-there-for-the-people-not-the-people-for-the-leader/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [The leader finds the dream and then the people. The people find the leader and then the dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-leader-finds-the-dream-and-then-the-people-the-people-find-the/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Every one is weary, the poore in seeking, the rich in keeping, the good in learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/every-one-is-weary-the-poore-in-seeking-the-rich-in-keeping-the-good/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [Since September 2013, I have been in a really good place with my health. But I still have to be conscious about keeping it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-woodward/since-september-2013-i-have-been-in-a-really-good-place-with-my/)

[Ella Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-woodward/)

> [“Keeping a good attitude will make the difference in living a successful life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/keeping-a-good-attitude-will-make-the-difference-in-living-a/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [It is dangerous if our identity as a leader becomes more important than our identity as a child of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/it-is-dangerous-if-our-identity-as-a-leader-becomes-more-important/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [Your role as a leader is even more important than you might imagine. You have the power to help people become winners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blanchard/your-role-as-a-leader-is-even-more-important-than-you-might-imagine/)

[Ken Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blanchard/)

> [Clearly, every company needs a leader. That's an important part of being the CEO of the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjay-kumar/clearly-every-company-needs-a-leader-that-s-an-important-part-of/)

[Sanjay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjay-kumar/)

> [A leader's most important decisions are about people. Who do you put in which jobs? How long do you leave them in a job?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/a-leader-s-most-important-decisions-are-about-people-who-do-you-put/)

[Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/)

> [Mascherano's impact as a leader is more important inside the squad, and Messi's leadership is more important in the pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerardo-martino/mascherano-s-impact-as-a-leader-is-more-important-inside-the-squad/)

[Gerardo Martino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerardo-martino/)

> [“As a leader, it's important to trust your team. When they feel that trust from you, they'll give it back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-ceo-of-mayflower-plymouth/as-a-leader-it-s-important-to-trust-your-team-when-they-feel-that/)

[Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrith-vanlon-smith-jr-ceo-of-mayflower-plymouth/)

> [“Goal-setting is an important task for a leader and one of the most important skills that a child can learn. The earlier this skill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-raybans/goal-setting-is-an-important-task-for-a-leader-and-one-of-the-most/)

[Hannah Raybans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-raybans/)

> [Sometimes shots just don't go my way, but for me in my growth and as a leader, it's important for me to stay aggressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-ingram/sometimes-shots-just-don-t-go-my-way-but-for-me-in-my-growth-and-as-a/)

[Brandon Ingram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-ingram/)

> [As a leader, the most important earthly relationship you can cultivate is your relationship with yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blanchard/as-a-leader-the-most-important-earthly-relationship-you-can-cultivate/)

[Ken Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blanchard/)

## 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/)

[Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## More Good people quotes

> [“Any discussion of money and success would be lacking if I did not state that money is neither good nor bad. In the hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-stovall/any-discussion-of-money-and-success-would-be-lacking-if-i-did-not/)

[Jim Stovall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-stovall/)

> [From what I have seen, I am driven to the conclusion that religion is only good for good people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/from-what-i-have-seen-i-am-driven-to-the-conclusion-that-religion-is/)

[Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/)

> [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/)

[Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/)

> [I've said it before, good people are forced to do bad things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-cloud/i-ve-said-it-before-good-people-are-forced-to-do-bad-things/)

[Angus Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-cloud/)

> [If I had a million dollars, I just wouldn't just completely set back. I'd have to get out there and show my face to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muddy-waters/if-i-had-a-million-dollars-i-just-wouldn-t-just-completely-set-back-i/)

[Muddy Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muddy-waters/)

> [Constantly look for the good in people and in situations. When you find it, tell the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/constantly-look-for-the-good-in-people-and-in-situations-when-you/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [Life is all about experiences and being able to work with good people is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumika-chawla/life-is-all-about-experiences-and-being-able-to-work-with-good-people/)

[Bhumika Chawla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumika-chawla/)

> [Good people do not let others suffer needlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/good-people-do-not-let-others-suffer-needlessly/)

[Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/)

> [Freedom and liberty lose out by default because good people are not vigilant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/freedom-and-liberty-lose-out-by-default-because-good-people-are-not/)

[Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/)

> [Good people are found not changed. Recently I read a headline that said, 'We don't teach people to be nice. We simply hire nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/good-people-are-found-not-changed-recently-i-read-a-headline-that/)

[Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/)

> [One of the things that I miss about Canada is that even the strangers, you have an immediate rapport, there's just an understanding that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/one-of-the-things-that-i-miss-about-canada-is-that-even-the-strangers/)

[Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/)

> [“...I'd be interested in any tips you have for somebody starting out.” “Uh-huh,” I said, looking out the window. I decided, as we drove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-jenkins-reid/i-d-be-interested-in-any-tips-you-have-for-somebody-starting-out-uh/)

[Taylor Jenkins Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-jenkins-reid/)

> [I've had a lot of good people, lot of good mentors, coaches along the way to get me where I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sale/i-ve-had-a-lot-of-good-people-lot-of-good-mentors-coaches-along-the/)

[Chris Sale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sale/)

> [On the West Coast, things are more relaxed, maybe because people have more fun outdoors. In the East, where the weather is not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-parish/on-the-west-coast-things-are-more-relaxed-maybe-because-people-have/)

[Robert Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-parish/)

> [I want to spend my time with people who don't look to be respected. But such good people won't want to spend their time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osamu-dazai/i-want-to-spend-my-time-with-people-who-don-t-look-to-be-respected/)

[Osamu Dazai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osamu-dazai/)

[Browse all 2,064 Good people quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-people/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Acquiring and keeping good people is a leader's most important task.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John C. Maxwell"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-leader-s-most-important-task/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Good people"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-leader-s-most-important-task/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0e/john-c-maxwell-113_good-people_acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-l_2711681.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0e/john-c-maxwell-113_good-people_acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-l_2711681.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0e/john-c-maxwell-113_good-people_acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-l_2711681.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Acquiring and keeping good people is a leader's most important task.” — John C. Maxwell",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John C. Maxwell",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Acquiring and keeping good people is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-leader-s-most-important-task/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/acquiring-and-keeping-good-people-is-a-leader-s-most-important-task/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
