--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most people who want to get ahead do it…" description: "\"Most people who want to get ahead do it backward. They think, 'I'll get a bigger job, then I'll learn how to be a leader.' But showing leadership skill..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/john-c-maxwell-113_bigger_most-people-who-want-to-get-ahead-do-it_2529515.jpg" --- # Most people who want to get ahead do it backward. They… ![“Most people who want to get ahead do it backward. They think, 'I'll get a bigger job, then I'll learn how to be a leader.' But showing leadership skill is how you get the bigger job in the first place. Leadership isn't a position, it's a process.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/john-c-maxwell-113_bigger_most-people-who-want-to-get-ahead-do-it_2529515.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/john-c-maxwell-113_bigger_most-people-who-want-to-get-ahead-do-it_2529515.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/john-c-maxwell-113_bigger_most-people-who-want-to-get-ahead-do-it_2529515.jpg) > “Most people who want to get ahead do it backward. They think, 'I'll get a bigger job, then I'll learn how to be a leader.' But showing leadership skill is how you get the bigger job in the first place. Leadership isn't a position, it's a process.” [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. Leadership is demonstrated through actions and influence, not titles; you earn positions by leading first. **In simple terms:** Lead before you’re promoted. Key Takeaway Demonstrate leadership now. Themes leadership growth career development Mood practical encouraging Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - job interview - team projects - volunteer roles - entrepreneurship Key Concepts influence process orientation Questions to Reflect On - What small actions can you take to show leadership today? - How do you measure leadership impact without a title? A Different Perspective Some environments may not recognize informal leadership. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bigger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigger/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Get ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-ahead/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Leadership Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-isn-501291/) [Leadership Skill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-skill-836123/) [Leadership skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership-skills/) [Learn Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-leader-795590/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Showing Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/showing-leadership-874639/) [Skill Bigger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skill-bigger-1329917/) [Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skills/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [Learning how to respond to and master the process of change - and even to excel at it - is a critical leadership skill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-james/learning-how-to-respond-to-and-master-the-process-of-change-and-even/) [Jennifer James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-james/) > [When you harness your leadership skill to your broken heart change happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/when-you-harness-your-leadership-skill-to-your-broken-heart-change/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Good leadership isn't about advancing yourself. It's about advancing your team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/good-leadership-isn-t-about-advancing-yourself-it-s-about-advancing/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The real test of leadership isn't where you start out. It's where you end up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-real-test-of-leadership-isn-t-where-you-start-out-it-s-where-you/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottomline in leadership isn't how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottomline-in-leadership-isn-t-how-far-we-advance-ourselves-but/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“The bottom line in leadership isn't how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-in-leadership-isn-t-how-far-we-advance-ourselves-but/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“Many people view leadership the same way they view success, hoping to go as far as they can, to climb the ladder, to achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/many-people-view-leadership-the-same-way-they-view-success-hoping-to/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“and in life. I’ve noticed that leadership is not a skill. It’s character. Successful, happy, and fulfilled people embody core values such as honor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-in-life-i-ve-noticed-that-leadership-is-not-a-skill-it-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fortunately poorer countries, such as China, are showing leadership and beginning to demonstrate to the world how to invest in low-carbon growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-stern/fortunately-poorer-countries-such-as-china-are-showing-leadership-and/) [Nicholas Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-stern/) > [Listening (the first competence of leadership) is not a skill, it is a discipline. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/listening-the-first-competence-of-leadership-is-not-a-skill-it-is-a/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [My instinct is to say it as I see it, being a little bit edgy and showing leadership on policy issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/my-instinct-is-to-say-it-as-i-see-it-being-a-little-bit-edgy-and/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [Leadership: The skill of influencing people to work enthusiastically toward goals identified as being for the common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hunter/leadership-the-skill-of-influencing-people-to-work-enthusiastically/) [James Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hunter/) > [Maybe my way of showing leadership is a little more expressive and people see more from me than other players but I think at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/maybe-my-way-of-showing-leadership-is-a-little-more-expressive-and/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [Showing leadership doesn't mean every employee will run the organization; that would lead to chaos. Businesses do need someone to set the vision and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-sharma/showing-leadership-doesn-t-mean-every-employee-will-run-the/) [Robin S. Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-sharma/) > [Being a CEO still means sitting across the table from big institutional investors and showing your leadership and having them believe in you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-hefner/being-a-ceo-still-means-sitting-across-the-table-from-big/) [Christie Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-hefner/) ## 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 Bigger quotes > [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [In China, people are moving from bigger cars to small hatches, and interestingly, the Indian market is graduating to bigger cars and sedans. 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I held my wings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/max-you-have-a-bigger-mission-than-finding-the-flock-s-parents-focus/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Sometimes people can write really great scenes and even a great episode, but they can't see the bigger picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-night-shyamalan/sometimes-people-can-write-really-great-scenes-and-even-a-great/) [M. Night Shyamalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-night-shyamalan/) > [Never be too busy for the people you love. Never allow pursuits or possessions to become bigger priorities than your relationships. 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