---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To add growth, lead followers - to…"
description: "\"To add growth, lead followers - to multiply, lead leaders.\" — John C. Maxwell"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c54/john-c-maxwell-113_add_to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply_429570.jpg"
---

#  To add growth, lead followers - to multiply, lead leaders.

![“To add growth, lead followers - to multiply, lead leaders.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c54/john-c-maxwell-113_add_to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply_429570.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c54/john-c-maxwell-113_add_to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply_429570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c54/john-c-maxwell-113_add_to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply_429570.jpg)

> “To add growth, lead followers - to multiply, lead leaders.”

[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.

Growth comes from empowering others; multiplying followers creates new leaders, expanding influence.

**In simple terms:** Empower others to become leaders.

Key Takeaway

Focus on developing people, not just directing them.

Themes

leadership empowerment growth

Mood

inspirational strategic

Type

leadership motivational

When to use this quote

- team building
- mentorship
- organizational scaling

Key Concepts

multiplication influence development

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you identify potential leaders?
- What barriers prevent followers from stepping up?

A Different Perspective

If followers lack initiative, multiplication stalls.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Add](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add/) [Add Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add-growth-3789540/) [Followers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/followers/) [Followers Multiply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/followers-multiply-3789539/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Growth Lead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth-lead-3789538/) [Lead Followers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lead-followers-885571/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Multiply Lead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/multiply-lead-3789541/)

## Related quotes

> [“Walking with God isn't instant gratification. It's a process of growth that will lead you to amazing things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephan-labossiere/walking-with-god-isn-t-instant-gratification-it-s-a-process-of-growth/)

[Stephan Labossiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephan-labossiere/)

> [“Every leader has a right to lead followers in the right direction and the responsibility to empower them to achieve much more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gift-gugu-mona/every-leader-has-a-right-to-lead-followers-in-the-right-direction-and/)

[Gift Gugu Mona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gift-gugu-mona/)

> [“The great aim of leadership is to lead followers continually into a deeper and more comprehensive love for what is most real, most true,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-mohler/the-great-aim-of-leadership-is-to-lead-followers-continually-into-a/)

[Albert Mohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-mohler/)

> [A leader who loves status quo soon becomes a follower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-leader-who-loves-status-quo-soon-becomes-a-follower/)

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

> [A leader's attitude is caught by his or her followers more quickly than his or her actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-leader-s-attitude-is-caught-by-his-or-her-followers-more-quickly/)

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

> [There is no quicker way to earn respect as a leader than being slow to speak. It is called listening and it plays a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/there-is-no-quicker-way-to-earn-respect-as-a-leader-than-being-slow/)

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

> [The leader's attitude helps determine the attitudes of the followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-leader-s-attitude-helps-determine-the-attitudes-of-the-followers/)

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

> [Leaders must live by higher standards than their followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-must-live-by-higher-standards-than-their-followers/)

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

> [A good leader encourages followers to tell him what he needs to know, not what he wants to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-good-leader-encourages-followers-to-tell-him-what-he-needs-to-know/)

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

> [Achievement comes to someone when he is able to do great things for himself. Success comes when he empowers followers to do great things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/achievement-comes-to-someone-when-he-is-able-to-do-great-things-for/)

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

> [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. Given the force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/majority-decisions-tend-to-be-made-without-engaging-the-systematic/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Followers of the occult believe in only what they already know, and in those things that confirm what they have already learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/followers-of-the-occult-believe-in-only-what-they-already-know-and-in/)

[Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/)

> [The emerging church movement has come to believe that the ultimate context of the spiritual aspirations of a follower of Jesus Christ is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samir-selmanovic/the-emerging-church-movement-has-come-to-believe-that-the-ultimate/)

[Samir Selmanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samir-selmanovic/)

> [When I'm on Twitter, we just talk to people. I call all my Twitter followers my 'Twitter babies.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rozonda-thomas/when-i-m-on-twitter-we-just-talk-to-people-i-call-all-my-twitter/)

[Rozonda Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rozonda-thomas/)

> [Sometimes I look at my awesome twitter followers &amp; think to myself, What the hell would I do without them :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/sometimes-i-look-at-my-awesome-twitter-followers-think-to-myself-what/)

[Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/)

## 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 Add quotes

> [Most marriages don't add two people together. They subtract one from the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-fleming/most-marriages-don-t-add-two-people-together-they-subtract-one-from/)

[Ian Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-fleming/)

> [Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/friendship-the-wine-of-life-should-like-a-well-stocked-cellar-be/)

[James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/)

> [Life as we know it is fundamentally unsatisfying. I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/)

[Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/)

> [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/)

> [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/)

[Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/)

> [A 'modern' man has nothing to add to modernism, if only because he has nothing to oppose it with. The well-adapted drop off the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-canetti/a-modern-man-has-nothing-to-add-to-modernism-if-only-because-he-has/)

[Elias Canetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-canetti/)

> [Observation and theory get on best when they are mixed together, both helping one another in the pursuit of truth. It is a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/observation-and-theory-get-on-best-when-they-are-mixed-together-both/)

[Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/)

> [I may add that we have more than once stated our willingness to conclude nonaggression pacts with the states neighboring our own!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/i-may-add-that-we-have-more-than-once-stated-our-willingness-to/)

[Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/)

> [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [New generations of humans inherit the acquired discoveries of generations past, allowing cosmic insight to accumulate without limit. Each discovery of science therefore adds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/new-generations-of-humans-inherit-the-acquired-discoveries-of/)

[Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/)

> [Thirty days is just about the right amount of time to add a new habit or subtract a habit - like watching the news…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cutts/thirty-days-is-just-about-the-right-amount-of-time-to-add-a-new-habit/)

[Matt Cutts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cutts/)

> [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/)

[John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/)

> [The Greeks said grandly in their tragic phrase, 'Let no one be called happy till his death;' to which I would add, 'Let no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/the-greeks-said-grandly-in-their-tragic-phrase-let-no-one-be-called/)

[Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/)

> [Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/mostly-we-just-add-to-the-piles-of-rainbow-glass-that-s-been-blown/)

[Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/)

> [Global is a unifying bond for people. Once they get outside their own heads and their own communities and see themselves in a broader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-calvin/global-is-a-unifying-bond-for-people-once-they-get-outside-their-own/)

[Kathy Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-calvin/)

[Browse all 2,710 Add quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "To add growth, lead followers - to multiply, lead leaders.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John C. Maxwell"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply-lead-leaders/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Add"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply-lead-leaders/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c54/john-c-maxwell-113_add_to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply_429570.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c54/john-c-maxwell-113_add_to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply_429570.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c54/john-c-maxwell-113_add_to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply_429570.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“To add growth, lead followers - to multiply, lead leaders.” — 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": "To add growth, lead followers -...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply-lead-leaders/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/to-add-growth-lead-followers-to-multiply-lead-leaders/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
