--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you have great people around you, they…" description: "\"If you have great people around you, they will take you higher than your dream will. Leaders are never self-made. Those closest to you determine your l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/john-c-maxwell-113_advice_if-you-have-great-people-around-you-they_889356.jpg" --- # If you have great people around you, they will take you… ![“If you have great people around you, they will take you higher than your dream will. Leaders are never self-made. Those closest to you determine your level of success, so choosing the right companions as partners in pursuit of your vision is an important decision. My advice is to surround yourself…” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/john-c-maxwell-113_advice_if-you-have-great-people-around-you-they_889356.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/john-c-maxwell-113_advice_if-you-have-great-people-around-you-they_889356.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/john-c-maxwell-113_advice_if-you-have-great-people-around-you-they_889356.jpg) > “If you have great people around you, they will take you higher than your dream will. Leaders are never self-made. Those closest to you determine your level of success, so choosing the right companions as partners in pursuit of your vision is an important decision. My advice is to surround yourself with talented people who will challenge you, help you grow and inspire you to maximize your potential.” [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. Surrounding yourself with talented, ambitious people lifts your performance beyond what you imagined, because success is a collective effort. **In simple terms:** Great companions raise your success beyond your own dreams. Key Takeaway Choose high‑performing partners. Themes leadership networking growth collaboration Mood inspired optimistic determined Type advice motivational leadership When to use this quote - career advancement - startup teams - academic research groups - sports squads Key Concepts social capital mentorship collective intelligence Questions to Reflect On - Who in your circle lifts you higher? - How can you contribute to their growth? A Different Perspective Talent alone isn’t enough; without shared vision, strong companions can hinder progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companion/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Great people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-people/) [Important decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-decision/) [Important decisions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-decisions/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-made/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Talented people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talented-people/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) [Your dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-dreams/) ## Related quotes > [Success is choosing to enter the arena of action, determined to give yourself to the cause that will better humanity and last for eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/success-is-choosing-to-enter-the-arena-of-action-determined-to-give/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Great leaders always have self-discipline -without exception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/great-leaders-always-have-self-discipline-without-exception/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“So the secret to success is in choosing your battles." "Isn't that the secret to everything?" Matias said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliza-victoria/so-the-secret-to-success-is-in-choosing-your-battles-isn-t-that-the/) Eliza Victoria > [Success: The successful person is willing to do what the unsuccessful person is not willing to do. Draw a profile of success in whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyrum-w-smith/success-the-successful-person-is-willing-to-do-what-the-unsuccessful/) [Hyrum W. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyrum-w-smith/) > [Cult leaders are often self-styled prophets who have not studied with great teachers or undergone lengthy training or discipline themselves. . . Many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-welwood/cult-leaders-are-often-self-styled-prophets-who-have-not-studied-with/) [John Welwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-welwood/) > [“High-performing companies have leaders who are self-aware and possess certain qualities that enable them to connect with others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-colonna-marie-r-miyashiro/high-performing-companies-have-leaders-who-are-self-aware-and-possess/) Jerry Colonna Marie R. Miyashiro > [“Leaders have self-confidence (not to be confused with being cocky)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-raybans/leaders-have-self-confidence-not-to-be-confused-with-being-cocky/) [Hannah Raybans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-raybans/) > [“Two of the most significant things aspiring leaders can do are find self-love and discover truths about what makes your journey fascinating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/two-of-the-most-significant-things-aspiring-leaders-can-do-are-find/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [“You don't lead people by what you say to them; you lead them by what they see you do. True leaders are self-leaders.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/you-don-t-lead-people-by-what-you-say-to-them-you-lead-them-by-what/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [ In the book \[Today Matters\] I talk about successful people make important decisions early in their life, and then they manage those decisions the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/in-the-book-today-matters-i-talk-about-successful-people-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Once I really maximize my potential-I don't know when that'll be, a year from now, three or four years from now-I think I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-peppers/once-i-really-maximize-my-potential-i-don-t-know-when-that-ll-be-a/) [Julius Peppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-peppers/) > [I always want to execute and maximize off of potential, and this is a natural progression. Coming up as a youngster, I always wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/i-always-want-to-execute-and-maximize-off-of-potential-and-this-is-a/) T.I > [For too much of history, we've viewed the world's precious resources - both environmental and human - as things to extract, to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/for-too-much-of-history-we-ve-viewed-the-world-s-precious-resources/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [I want to maximize my potential as a player. I want to be as good as I could possibly be. And if I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-peppers/i-want-to-maximize-my-potential-as-a-player-i-want-to-be-as-good-as-i/) [Julius Peppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-peppers/) > [I want to maximize my potential. Who wouldn't want to? You kind of waste it if you don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-lawrence/i-want-to-maximize-my-potential-who-wouldn-t-want-to-you-kind-of/) [Trevor Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-lawrence/) ## 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 Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) Mak\_786 > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. 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