I was very excited to see a recent article entitled Top 50 Leadership and Management Experts on Inc.com, mainly because my mentor and friend, John C. Maxwell was at the top of the list. I know how much he has poured into the lives of others for many decades now and am thrilled to see the extent of his influence.

I know John and others on the list personally and can say with certainty that they did not set out to be on that list. They set out to fulfill their respective missions. They applied their strengths to creating businesses, launching successful organizations, and serving others. The more they worked, served, and learned, the more they became recognized as experts in their fields. They became…leaders.

I’m often asked, “How do I become an influential leader? How do I reach a broader audience?”

To you I say, “Get acquainted with those on my recommended leading list.”

Read their books, study their methods, and if you get the chance, attend events where you can meet them in person. This list represents massive experience in life and business, and these leaders can teach us so much.

Here are just a few of the lessons I’ve personally learned from some on this list and others of that caliber:

John C. Maxwell

John  Maxwell offers these seven steps to success:

1) Make a commitment to grow daily.
2) Value the process more than events.
3) Don’t wait for inspiration.
4) Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity.
5) Dream big.
6) Plan your priorities.
7) Give up to go up.

Dan Miller

Dan Miller is author of the New York Times best-selling books 48 Days To The Work You Love, No More Dreaded Mondays, and Wisdom Meets Passion. Dan uses his strengths of writing and speaking to change lives, including my own. He is a treasured mentor and friend. From Dan, I have learned the value – and the power – of working with passion. He not only advocates the idea, he lives it daily; and thousand, including me, are his beneficiaries. He is a leader in passionate, meaningful work…and yes, those words truly can go together.

Steven R. Covey

Steven Covey’s message was, at its core, “priorities”. There will always be an endless to-do list and more opportunities than I could possibly complete in ten lifetimes, and so I have to remind myself daily to work according to priorities. As a leader, you must frequently ask yourself, “Am I doing the important things?” Steven Covey did the important things and in doing so, he created a legacy beyond his years.

Who is on YOUR recommended leading list…and what have they taught you?