Have you ever read something that felt like it was written just for you? That’s exactly how I felt reading Chapter 2 of Good Leaders Ask Great Questions by John C. Maxwell. As a pastor, leadership is at the heart of what I do, and Maxwell’s reflective questions struck a chord deep within me. They didn’t just make me think—they made me change.
Let me take you on this journey, one question at a time, because I believe they can change how you lead, too.
1. Am I Investing in Myself?
When I read this question, I had to pause. As pastors, we’re constantly pouring into others—writing sermons, leading Bible studies, and counseling those in crisis. But when was the last time I truly invested in me? Maxwell reminded me that self-leadership isn’t selfish; it’s essential.
I began carving out time each week for personal growth. For me, that looked like carving out time at 5 am each morning to read, reflect, journal, pray, and go to the gym. It felt strange at first—like I was stepping away from the focus I was called to do. But here’s the thing: when I invested in myself, I noticed my capacity to serve others expanded. I had more energy, more ideas, and more patience.
2. Am I Genuinely Interested in Others?
This one hit hard. I’d always thought I was interested in others—I’m a pastor! But Maxwell asks if we prioritize people over our own leadership ambitions. Ouch. I realized that sometimes I was so focused on “the vision” or “the goal” that I overlooked the people God had placed right before me.
After reading this, I made a conscious effort to slow down. Instead of rushing from one task to the next, I started asking deeper questions: How are you really doing? What’s God teaching you right now? It’s amazing how much more connected I felt to my congregation and team when I stopped treating conversations like checkboxes.
3. Am I Grounded as a Leader?
Authenticity and humility—two words that are easy to preach about but harder to live out. Maxwell’s question about being grounded forced me to reflect on whether I was leading from a place of genuine connection or a pedestal.
On Sunday, I decided to start sharing a personal moment in my sermons—and to my surprise, it didn’t make people see me as weak. It made them feel closer to me. Maxwell is right: people follow leaders who are genuine, not perfect. Staying grounded doesn’t just benefit you; it creates trust and community.
4. Am I Adding Value to My Team?
Finally, Maxwell’s emphasis on adding value to others challenged me to rethink how I approached leadership. Was I building up my team, or was I merely using their talents to accomplish my own vision?
I began shifting my focus from “What can you do for the ministry?” to “How can I help you grow?” That shift transformed our team meetings. They became spaces of encouragement and collaboration rather than tasks and to-do lists. And you know what? The ministry didn’t just survive—it flourished.
My Takeaway for You
Maxwell’s four questions didn’t just refine my leadership; they redefined it. They reminded me that leadership isn’t about a title, a vision, or even results. It’s about people—starting with yourself and extending to those you serve.
So, here’s my advice to you, fellow ministry leaders: Take time this week to sit with these questions. Be honest with yourself. You might be surprised by what you discover. And remember, investing in your growth is one of the best gifts you can give to those you lead.
Because at the end of the day, the best leaders aren’t the ones who stand tallest—they’re the ones who lift others higher. Anágo.