Rating: 
Summary: Helpful guide to becoming an exceptional leader.
Review: I found this book pretty helpful for those individuals expiring to become leaders. It was very informational from what it takes to be a leader to the attributes one should have in order to become a leader. The book also answers a lot of questions people may have about being a leader. Such as the idea that the qualities of leadership can be learned, and not just qualities that a person is born with. Maxwell, goes on to not only say that leadership can be taught, but also gives the ways as to which a person can learn these things, and how to follow through once you have reached the leadership level and how to maintain this status. The book also breaks down the differences between the elements people assume to be leadership qualities and the characteristics that are truly those of a proven leader.
This book is very easy to comprehend and interpret. Maxwell didn't write the book in big terms and paragraphs that maybe confusing to some readers. Each chapter is divided up and outlines an important feature needed within the development of a leader. Maxwell also organizes the book so that each chapter connects with the chapter before it, so that the reader can get the full concept from beginning to end guides them through the process of becoming a leader.
Maxwell also provides a variety of stories within each chapter and section to better describe what he is talking about, or how what he is describing can be or has already been applied within a real life situation. Although the stories are helpful in helping the reader understand how these qualities can be applied to actual life situations, they can be over-whelming and redundant after a period of time. All the stories can prohibit the reader from wanting to continue reading the entire chapter, because the reason for reading the book is to obtain some useful knowledge as to how to become an effective leader. This would be my only drawback in reading this book.
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Summary: A Leader is Born!
Review: A leader is always Born and as far as the belief goes 'Leos are Born Leaders' - However, the concept of this Book by John Maxwell is Developing a Leader within. This requires a motivation, a vision and an influence as the writer shares the principles of management through real life anecdotes, charts and graphs. A truly inspiring book that reveals wiz ways to excel and be a Leader. Interesting strips portray Leadership qualities with real life examples and sure, this becomes a quick 'glance read' chirping the zeal in to strife for successive climb. I've always recommended Management Quotes book of Pramod Batra and so is this Book on top of my Charts. Influence always make a big difference and this book implies the influential tricks to scale high to be a leader. Maxwell's techniques prove to be genuine stuff and anyways, the picked topics speak wide :1. Influence - Defining Leadership qualities
2. Attitude - It really makes a big difference
3. Positive Change - foster integrity and self-discipline
4. Priorities - Defining goals
5. Integrity & People - Developing ties Becoming a person of Influence is another Book of Maxwell that is thought-provoking and a Leadership technique of 'Influence' pays big dividends in longer run. A worthwhile life lesson to boost up self confidence and keep on high spirits with 'Developing the Leadership qualities' by John Maxwell. A sure fire way to adopt the techniques and surface the best in you.
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Summary: An inspiring inspiration for aspiring leaders
Review: Developing the Leader Within You was a first rate book with an outstanding amount of useful and applicable knowledge. Dr. Maxwell guides the reader through the steps they need to become a leader such as solving problems effectively, learning to appreciate people, developing the right attitude and improving your leadership abilities and various other categories. One of the aspects I found useful was small activities interspersed within the chapters. These proved to be a way to gauge your progress at developing skills and also a nice break from reading the book. One of the most useful sections, to me, was the one on developing people. Dr. Maxwell provided specific ways in which leaders can motivate people and also tactics to avoid because they can de-motivate people. One of the traps I noticed myself falling into was thinking that success was based on luck, not planning. After reading this book I now realize that I do not have to wait around for a lucky break, but I can take action to make success happen. The book was easy to read and stayed away from text book like content. Dr. Maxwell interjected numerous quotes and stories which helped to keep my interest. He chose quotes from Charlie Brown to President Eisenhower to everyday people he encountered. Not only was the content helpful, but discovering fun bits of trivia was exciting. The only fault I found with this book was that Dr. Maxwell was sometimes a little vague in his descriptions on how to address certain issues. But as I read the book and understood his message more fully, I realized that he wants the readers to figure out the solutions for themselves. He provides the framework for us to become better leaders but each of us has to chose the best way for our personal styles. If you want to enhance your leadership ability, become better at working with people, or just improve yourself in general, I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.
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Summary: I felt that this was an outstanding book!
Review: Review for John C. Maxwell book titled "Developing the Leader Within You"
I felt that this was an outstanding book; it has touched me in so many ways. The book has helped me notice what I have been doing wrong and what I need to develop.
This book has taught me various things, such as what it means to be an effective leader and ways to improve my leadership skills. I would definitely recommend this book to my family, friends, and co-workers.
Maxwell's definition of leadership is the ability to acquire followers. These followers will aid you in achieving your goals. People will follow if the leader has a positive attitude and provides them with the right atmosphere.
The question Maxwell answers for you is, "How can one acquire loyal followers?" He presents strategies, principles, and ideas in which one can implement to the people at their organization to become an effective leader with loyal followers. Trying to get employees to follow your ideas can be a difficult task, but Maxwell's ideas will aid you in this task.
Your dreams can and will come true one day. Maxwell explains that all you need is a vision to work towards. Then you need to implement goals, strategies, and followers to help you along your journey.
Being an average leader is easy, but being an effective and efficient leader involves hard work and practice. Some leaders can be born, but in my opinion great leaders need to be taught how to become great leaders and Maxwell will help you to become a great leader.
I believe that this book will benefit all the leaders of today and tomorrow. Maxwell is an excellent author and teacher. I encourage you to read this book today and become the great leader you have dreamt of becoming tomorrow.
Rating: 
Summary: Do Not Waste Your Money
Review: This book is a bore and contains no useful information.
The book has so many quotes of others that it seems the author couldn't develop an original thought were he paid to.
Save your money or spend it on something worthwhile - this isn't.
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Summary: Teacher & Engineer
Review: This book is my first present to everybody I see them as the potential leader.
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Summary: I may be the only negative commenter.
Review: This book is wrong in very many areas. I will touch upon one.
Firstly, there is only one way to be a leader. This is through love.
Secondly, there are many ways to pass as being a leader. The negative side of those ways are through control.
Thirdly, using the techniques in this book act as control.
Fourthly, control is not love.
Fifthly, Christ is the way to be a true leader. Meaning this book is not necessary. Only the bible is.
-Calvin
ps. "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" gives good insights on how to be a leader. It teaches about responsibility and time management, which are crucial to any leader.
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Summary: The first book every influencer should ever read
Review: This book was life changing for me and my career. I read this title over 10 years ago. I soon read all of John Maxwells books and was a memeber of his tape club and attended several confereces. If you want to read his best book this is it. It is fun to read yet very thought provoking. I have had many conversations with incredible leaders who have used the principles in this book. Maxwell can come off as simple with his approach to leadership and that would be true because it is not profound to understand but to do is the hard part. Leadership is influence to influence you have to relate and Maxell does a superb job helping the reader do that. He accomplishes that by using illustrations and concepts that we can relate too. Read this book no matter what your role in life and influence is but do not read it alone talk it over with others and see what shakes out.
Rating: 
Summary: There are better books from John Maxwell
Review: This one is not as interesting as his other books. I skipped a lot of pages and chapters as they were not well written, I think. If you are looking for a similar title, Dale Carnegie's "A Leader in You: How to win friend..." is a better read.
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Summary: An Excellent Analysis on the Importance of Leadership
Review: To be perfectly honest, reading this book was a very uncertain (perhaps wild) choice for me. When assigned to read a book for a class based on fundamentals of leadership and/or small group communication, I chose this book on the Amazon.com website because it was the one that might be the most relatable and interesting to me as a college student. Theoretically, I could have opened it to discover a piece of literature wrapped in boredom and unsubstantiated generalizations regarding leadership.
Thankfully, the book is a delight to read. It is a surprisingly captivating piece of non-fiction literature. Many books of this type that I have read in the past have offered broad generalizations, along with no stories, facts, or examples to back them up. However, this book is a completely different story. The author, John C. Maxwell, uses loads of wonderful quotes, stories, and lists to generate evidence for his very specific beliefs and claims concerning the hierarchy of leadership.
The book also does an excellent job chronicling the various characteristics of leadership. The reader will easily be able to interpret the message that Maxwell tries repeatedly to project within the book: Leadership is a key attribute of any group. Without it, change, which is fundamental to the continued success and/or existence of any small group or society, will be hampered. Therefore, every individual should strive to meet the demands and needs of a group by gaining the many traits of leadership discussed within this book.
Overall, the book is easy to follow and has a review section at the end of each chapter, which proved to be a valuable tool when used for further comprehension of the subject matter. According to the book, there is even an on-line leadership skills assessment survey. Unfortunately, an error message continually popped up on my computer's screen when trying to access the link, and when I tried to load the home page, it repeatedly made my computer freeze. After three or four failed attempts, I gave up on this endeavor. Perhaps other readers will be more successful in this endeavor.
In conclusion, Developing the Leader Within You is a great introduction to the concept of leadership. The book is very well laid out, and Maxwell does a superb job of relaying the basics of leadership so that a wide variety of readers can understand and benefit from what he is saying. It provided me with much insight into just how important leadership is in terms of succeeding in our society today. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand more about the principles of leadership on an organizational and personal level.
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