S4 | 03: These Two Questions Separates You From Everyone

If you want influence, ask these questions daily.

Jan 04, 2026

There are several reasons why you must have some level of influence, regardless of your background. No one achieves anything worthwhile in life without being able to influence people towards that achievement.

And this is exactly what leadership is all about.

Leadership has never been about having followers.

It’s about asking two questions every single day, questions that most people never think to ask (that’s why those who dare to ask are the ones wielding influence). Not because they’re complicated questions. Because they require something most people aren’t willing to give: honest self-examination and deliberate investment.

I’ve studied leaders for over a decade.

The influential ones, the ones people remember, the ones who don’t just build careers (who build legacies). And I’ve noticed they have a common denominator:

They all ask the same two questions.

These questions become the filter for every decision, every conversation, every use of their time.

But most people spend their entire lives never asking either one.

I'll be sure to show you what I mean.

Question #1: What Am I Doing To Develop Myself?

This question is the foundation for everything good in life.

John Maxwell, who’s trained more leaders than almost anyone alive, says this:

“You cannot give what you do not have.”

Read that again.
You cannot give what you do not have.

Most people skip this step.

They want to lead before they’ve learned to follow.
They want to teach before they’ve learned to study.
They want influence before they’ve invested in themselves.

And they wonder why nothing sticks.

Self-investment is the foundation for everything good that happens in your life.

Your income ceiling is determined by your personal development ceiling.
Your leadership capacity is determined by your self-leadership capacity.
Your influence on others is determined by your influence on yourself.

Simon Sinek put it this way:

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge. But you can’t take care of anyone if you haven’t taken care of yourself first.”

Think about it:

You can’t teach discipline if you’re undisciplined.
You can’t inspire growth if you’re stagnant.
You can’t demand excellence if you’re settling for mediocrity in your own life.

People follow who you are, not what you say.

This Is What Self-Investment Looks Like

I see the need to be specific here because “self-development” has become a buzzword that has lost its meaning.

Here’s what asking “What am I doing to develop myself?” actually requires:

1. Daily Learning

Most people casually consume content and barely sit down to study deliberately in a curated and structured manner. Their approach to learning and development is haphazard and scattergun at best.

As an intentional learner:

Read books that challenge you, not just inform you.
Listening to content that stretches you, not entertains you.
Seeking mentors who correct you, not just compliment you.

Craig Groeschel, a leader who’s built one of the largest churches in America, says:

“If you’re not growing, you’re dying. There’s no such thing as standing still.”

The question isn’t whether you’re learning.

It’s whether you’re learning intentionally.

Are you actively investing at least 1 hour a day in your growth?
Or are you spending 1 hour a day scrolling?

Your future is being built right now, and the architect of that future is how and what you spend your time on daily.

2. Skill Development

You don’t just need knowledge. You need competence.

Skills are assets. Knowledge is inventory.

Most people collect information like they’re hoarding supplies for a war that never comes. But skills? Skills print money. Skills solve problems. Skills are the only assets nobody can take from you.

You can lose your job.
You can lose your business.
You can lose your reputation.

But nobody can repo your skill set.

If you can sell, you’ll always eat.
If you can build systems, you’ll always have leverage.
If you can communicate clearly, you’ll always have influence.

Skills are portable wealth.

But most people treat skill development like a side hobby instead of the highest-ROI investment they’ll ever make.

The Compound Effect of Self-Investment

Here’s what happens when you ask this question every day:

Year 1: You’re noticeably sharper than your peers.
Year 3: You’re leading projects that they’re still trying to understand.
Year 5: You’re building things they don’t even know are possible.
Year 10: You’re in a different category entirely.

Earl Nightingale said:
“One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years.”

Most people never do it.

They’ll dabble. They’ll start and stop. They’ll wait for motivation.

And that’s why they stay average.

But you?
Keep asking the question every single day:

“What am I doing to develop myself?”

And that question—asked daily and answered honestly—changes everything.

Question #2: What Am I Doing To Develop Others?

The Next Step After Self-Investment

Most people invest in themselves. They grow. They develop skills, refine character, and build competence.

And then they stop.

They become really good at what they do and stay there. They climb the ladder and forget to bring anyone with them. That’s not leadership. That’s expertise.

Leadership is influence. And influence doesn’t stop at self-mastery. It multiplies through others.

John Maxwell teaches:
“A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

You can know the way. You can go the way. But if you’re not showing others the way, you’re not leading yet.

Why People Development Is Important

If you invest in yourself:

You get better
Your income increases
Your influence grows
Your impact expands

But there’s a ceiling.

You’re one person. You have 24 hours. You have finite energy. Your personal impact maxes out.

But if you invest in others:

They get better
Their income increases
Their influence grows
Their impact expands
And they invest in others

Now your influence is compounding.

You’re not just making an impact, you’re making an impact on others who multiply the impact.

Simon Sinek calls this “The Infinite Game.”

“Great leaders don’t set out to be leaders. They set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, always about the goal.”

And the goal is not just to be the best. It’s also to make others better.

What People Development Actually Looks Like

Here’s what asking “What am I doing to develop others?” actually requires:

1. Intentional Mentorship

Who are you pouring into right now?

Who are you meeting with regularly to share what you’ve learned?
Who are you challenging, correcting, and encouraging to grow?
Who knows they’re better because you invested in them?

2. Delegation with Development in Mind

Most people delegate to get tasks off their plate.
Leaders delegate to get growth into someone’s life.

When you hand off a responsibility, are you just dumping work—or are you creating a growth opportunity?

Are you explaining the “why” behind the task?
Are you giving feedback that sharpens them?
Are you letting them fail forward in a safe environment?

People development happens in the assignments you give, not just the conversations you have.

The best leaders are the best teachers. And the best teachers create environments where people can learn by doing.

If you’re doing everything yourself because “it’s faster,” you’re capping your impact. And you’re robbing others of the chance to grow.

3. Creating a Culture of Growth

This is the highest level.

You’re not just developing individuals—you’re building an environment where everyone develops each other.

Where growth isn’t a program. It’s a way of life.

Where people challenge each other. Learn from each other. Push each other.

Where “What are you learning?” is a normal question in every conversation.

That’s exactly what we are doing with the 100 Hours of Personal Growth (if you are in the LUDUS, legion and the Arena).

Simon Sinek says:
“Leadership is not about the next quarter. It’s about the next generation.”

If the only person growing in your sphere of influence is you, you’re not leading a movement. You’re building a monument to yourself.

But if people around you are growing, learning, and leading others?

That’s legacy.

The Compound Influence of People Development

Here’s what happens when you ask this question every day:

Year 1: You’ve mentored 3-5 people who are noticeably growing.
Year 3: Those 3-5 people are now mentoring others.
Year 5: You’ve created a network of leaders who are creating leaders.
Year 10: Your influence is exponential—because it’s not dependent on you anymore.

That’s the compound effect.

You’re not just building a career. You’re building a lineage.

People who were shaped by you are shaping others.

Ideas you taught are being taught by people you’ll never meet.

Your influence outlives you.

The Most Influential People Ask Both Questions. Every Day.

They invest in themselves so they have something to give.

They invest in others so their influence compounds.

John Maxwell puts it perfectly:

“Leadership is influence. And the true measure of leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less.”

You can only reproduce who you are, not what you imagine you are.

If you’re not growing, you can’t help others grow.
If you’re not disciplined, you can’t teach discipline.
If you’re not investing in yourself, you have nothing to invest in others.

The two questions are inseparable.

Self-leadership comes first. People development comes next.

But both are non-negotiable if you want to play at the highest level.