--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first order of things to be changed…" description: "\"The first order of things to be changed is me, the leader. After I consider how hard it is to change myself, then I will understand the challenge of tr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/john-c-maxwell-113_challenges_the-first-order-of-things-to-be-changed_2073955.jpg" --- # The first order of things to be changed is me, the leader… ![“The first order of things to be changed is me, the leader. After I consider how hard it is to change myself, then I will understand the challenge of trying to change others. This is the ultimate test of leadership.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/john-c-maxwell-113_challenges_the-first-order-of-things-to-be-changed_2073955.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/john-c-maxwell-113_challenges_the-first-order-of-things-to-be-changed_2073955.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/john-c-maxwell-113_challenges_the-first-order-of-things-to-be-changed_2073955.jpg) > “The first order of things to be changed is me, the leader. After I consider how hard it is to change myself, then I will understand the challenge of trying to change others. This is the ultimate test of leadership.” [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 starts with self‑change; understanding personal difficulty reveals the true challenge of influencing others. **In simple terms:** Change yourself first to lead others. Key Takeaway Lead by example. Themes leadership self‑improvement influence Mood reflective inspirational Type advice motivational When to use this quote - team management - personal development - coaching - conflict resolution Key Concepts self‑awareness empathy responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you measure your own growth? - What habits hinder your leadership? A Different Perspective Self‑change may be harder than changing others, limiting impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Change Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-myself/) [Changed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changed/) [Changed Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changed-leader-4017950/) [First Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-order/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Hard Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-change/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leader Consider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader-consider-4017951/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Test Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/test-leadership-407020/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Trying Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying-change/) [Trying to change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying-to-change/) [Ultimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [With the coming of radio as a mass medium, suddenly the world changed. It became about, 'Can this leader project emotional connection through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hooper/with-the-coming-of-radio-as-a-mass-medium-suddenly-the-world-changed/) [Tom Hooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hooper/) > [“As the demands of the positions differed, and as I grew in age and experience, I found that I had changed as a leader.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-mcchrystal/as-the-demands-of-the-positions-differed-and-as-i-grew-in-age-and/) [Stanley McChrystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-mcchrystal/) > [The only valid test of leadership is the ability to lead, and lead vigorously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-only-valid-test-of-leadership-is-the-ability-to-lead-and-lead/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [The only test of leadership is that somebody follows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-k-greenleaf/the-only-test-of-leadership-is-that-somebody-follows/) [Robert K. Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-k-greenleaf/) > [There are times when people that you put in those positions make mistakes, they disappoint you, you lose their - you lose your confidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-christie/there-are-times-when-people-that-you-put-in-those-positions-make/) [Chris Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-christie/) > [The test of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buchanan/the-test-of-leadership-is-not-to-put-greatness-into-humanity-but-to/) [James Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buchanan/) > [Enduring setbacks while maintaining the ability to show others the way to go forward is a true test of leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nitin-nohria/enduring-setbacks-while-maintaining-the-ability-to-show-others-the/) [Nitin Nohria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nitin-nohria/) > [It is hard to change people's minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-cummings/it-is-hard-to-change-people-s-minds/) [Dominic Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-cummings/) > [If you push hard enough you can change. You can take everything you know and round it up, turn it into something else, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babatunde-adebimpe/if-you-push-hard-enough-you-can-change-you-can-take-everything-you/) [Babatunde Adebimpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babatunde-adebimpe/) > [Before you insist someone changes, remember first how hard it is to change yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/before-you-insist-someone-changes-remember-first-how-hard-it-is-to/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Culturally, it's very hard to change people's attitudes about public space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/culturally-it-s-very-hard-to-change-people-s-attitudes-about-public/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [“Once people get beliefs into their heads, it’s fucking hard to change their minds, no matter how many facts come knocking on the door.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-adair/once-people-get-beliefs-into-their-heads-it-s-fucking-hard-to-change/) [Bobby Adair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-adair/) > [Once a person turns cold it's hard to change back into who they used to be. They have to let go of the past,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/once-a-person-turns-cold-it-s-hard-to-change-back-into-who-they-used/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [It's hard to change adults, and it's hard to change it from a political position or a perceived political position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/it-s-hard-to-change-adults-and-it-s-hard-to-change-it-from-a/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) ## 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 Challenges quotes > [I know for my wife and I, we always loved the idea of being young parents. It is an incredibly inspiring and challenging job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hanson/i-know-for-my-wife-and-i-we-always-loved-the-idea-of-being-young/) [Taylor Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hanson/) > [Our biggest challenge is to eliminate the popular perception that economists don't have anything useful to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zandi/our-biggest-challenge-is-to-eliminate-the-popular-perception-that/) [Mark Zandi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zandi/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [I want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-want-to-be-perceived-as-a-guy-who-played-his-best-in-all-facets-not/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [People in great groups have blinders on. Their work is all they see. They value failures as learning opportunities. They are optimistic, not realistic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/people-in-great-groups-have-blinders-on-their-work-is-all-they-see/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [If, as I anticipate, a wide array of personal, portable information/communication devices becomes increasingly important and widespread for information-intensive users, it will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-as-i-anticipate-a-wide-array-of-personal-portable-information/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [It's a challenge to work a character's arc into a format in which you only have a very limited amount of time to grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginnifer-goodwin/it-s-a-challenge-to-work-a-character-s-arc-into-a-format-in-which-you/) [Ginnifer Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginnifer-goodwin/) > [I personally think if something's not a challenge, there's no point doing it, because you're not gonna learn much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-personally-think-if-something-s-not-a-challenge-there-s-no-point/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Men want a challenge, but they want a challenge they can win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-gaskell/men-want-a-challenge-but-they-want-a-challenge-they-can-win/) [Whitney Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-gaskell/) > [Growing up with a parent in the army, I saw firsthand the challenges our service members face when transitioning to new jobs after time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/growing-up-with-a-parent-in-the-army-i-saw-firsthand-the-challenges/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [Nobody challenges me. I challenge myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakuntala-devi/nobody-challenges-me-i-challenge-myself/) [Shakuntala Devi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakuntala-devi/) > [Challenging is good, like good conversation, yes? Who wants to have dinner with the same old easy listening music sounding friends all the time?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/challenging-is-good-like-good-conversation-yes-who-wants-to-have/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) [Browse all 8,851 Challenges quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The first order of things to be changed is me, the leader. After I consider how hard it is to change myself, then I will understand the challenge of trying to change others. This is the ultimate test of leadership.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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