--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Talk to people, not above them." description: "\"Talk to people, not above them.\" — John C. Maxwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/john-c-maxwell-113_choices_talk-to-people-not-above-them-2268565_2268565.jpg" --- # Talk to people, not above them. ![“Talk to people, not above them.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/john-c-maxwell-113_choices_talk-to-people-not-above-them-2268565_2268565.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/john-c-maxwell-113_choices_talk-to-people-not-above-them-2268565_2268565.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/john-c-maxwell-113_choices_talk-to-people-not-above-them-2268565_2268565.jpg) > “Talk to people, not above them.” [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. Effective leadership involves listening to peers rather than dictating from a higher position. **In simple terms:** Listen, don't dominate. Key Takeaway Engage colleagues, value input. Themes leadership humility communication Mood inspirational practical Type advice leadership When to use this quote - team meetings - ment management - mentership development Key Concepts organizational behavior empowerment Questions to Reflect On - How can you empower those you listen to? - What barriers prevent open dialogue? A Different Perspective Listening alone isn’t enough without action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk/) [Talk People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk-people-278459/) ## Related quotes > [It's very hard to participate in society when you can't talk to people on the medium that they talk to other people on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-wylie/it-s-very-hard-to-participate-in-society-when-you-can-t-talk-to/) [Christopher Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-wylie/) > [I think my play will talk for me, It will show people, and it will show the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-brogdon/i-think-my-play-will-talk-for-me-it-will-show-people-and-it-will-show/) [Malcolm Brogdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-brogdon/) > [I talk about what other people don't want to talk about. Sometimes I talk too much. Sometimes people misconstrued what I say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boosie/i-talk-about-what-other-people-don-t-want-to-talk-about-sometimes-i/) [Boosie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boosie/) > [Normally I don't talk much to people on the sets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-cassandra/normally-i-don-t-talk-much-to-people-on-the-sets/) [Regina Cassandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-cassandra/) > [So I'm sorry, I'm going to continue to talk to the people, because I do believe that if they get to know you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-torme/so-i-m-sorry-i-m-going-to-continue-to-talk-to-the-people-because-i-do/) [Mel Torme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-torme/) > [“Talk for people and not about them. Unless you have love in your heart, refrain from discussing another person.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charbel-tadros/talk-for-people-and-not-about-them-unless-you-have-love-in-your-heart/) [Charbel Tadros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charbel-tadros/) > [I don’t like to talk to people, because I can’t express myself satisfactorily. I don’t say the things I mean.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-garbo/i-don-t-like-to-talk-to-people-because-i-can-t-express-myself/) [Greta Garbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-garbo/) > [I just dont get some people. If you have all the time in the world to talk about other people, and for them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-just-dont-get-some-people-if-you-have-all-the-time-in-the-world-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The name of the game is to talk to people. If you don't talk to people, you can't get started...You knock on twenty doors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/the-name-of-the-game-is-to-talk-to-people-if-you-don-t-talk-to-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [If, when you talk to people, they keep backing away from you, it's because you're TOO CLOSE, alright? SO DON'T KEEP ADVANCING ON THEM…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/if-when-you-talk-to-people-they-keep-backing-away-from-you-it-s/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [“When you talk with people or type to people which you know or don't know ... do you see the distance? ... The distance?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/when-you-talk-with-people-or-type-to-people-which-you-know-or-don-t/) [Deyth Banger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deyth-banger/) > [Gr8 people talk about things. Small people talk about other people. and legends never talk they send sms ;)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/gr8-people-talk-about-things-small-people-talk-about-other-people-and/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [There's a time in everybody's life they really don't want to talk to people: they want to get away from talking or being on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daly/there-s-a-time-in-everybody-s-life-they-really-don-t-want-to-talk-to/) [John Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daly/) > [The only way to learn on a zero dollar budget is to talk to people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-houston/the-only-way-to-learn-on-a-zero-dollar-budget-is-to-talk-to-people/) [Drew Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-houston/) > [The successful leader does not talk down to people. He lifts them up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/the-successful-leader-does-not-talk-down-to-people-he-lifts-them-up/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) ## 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 Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) [Alison James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-james/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) [Pancho Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pancho-barnes/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Talk to people, not above them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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