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Summary: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
Review: John Maxwell's book, "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" was a very helpful book. Logistically the book was very easy to read and understand. The chapters are not too long or drawn out. Maxwell makes his point and shares an anecdote or two with the reader regarding the idea of chapter. The leadership concepts discussed in this book don't seem all that groundbreaking, but they are so vital to being a good leader and they are explained very clearly throughout this book. He clearly points out and gives names to all the little reasons that you ever liked, respected, or listened to someone, but couldn't quite figure out why.
Maxwell weaves in personal stories that make his point and stories from celebrities like Sonny Bono, Princess Diana, and some of our most famous presidents. So the flow of the book and the voice that Maxwell uses actually follows his own chapter on the law of connection. As your reading the book you feel that Maxwell is actually just sitting there talking to you. He interrupts his own discussion on leadership to tell you a story. It is very casual and you never stop to count the pages until the end of the chapter. You just read right through. The book is not written in a instruction manual fashion, even the most passive follower in the world could read this book and know what kind of leader they would be looking for.
I think you learn a lot about leadership and just interesting general history from this book. Many of Maxwell's stories are much more than just there to prove his point. He tells the whole story instead of just what he needs to say to prove himself. I thought the fact that Maxwell has a religious background gave a comforting validity to what he was writing especially after he explained early in this book that leaders of volunteer organizations have no leverage over people. The people are there because they want to be there. After thinking about that statement, I agreed that it is very much true and that could be the best example of leadership. All in all, I thought that this was a very good book and there is much more to learn from it than just how to become a good leader.
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Summary: GREAT OVERVIEW OF LEADERSHIP FOR GROWTH
Review: There are many books written every year on leadership, and they all tend to have the same weakness: They focus on just part of the problem. THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP is a valuable exception because it looks at leadership in both companies and nonprofits at the same time, drawing on appropriate lessons from both. What I particularly liked was how he provided examples of how to overcome bad sistuations as well as how to grow faster from good ones. This clearly is the most encyclopedic approach to the subject of leadership that I have had the pleasure to read. The lessons seemed right to me based on my many years of studying what makes the most successful leaders have the best results. For anyone who is a leader or aspires to be one, THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP will be very valuable. Then you can expand your reading to get more detail in the areas where you need the most help. If you follow the principles of this book, you will avoid most of the problems that stall progress in organizations. Good luck to you!
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Summary: Clear, easy to read, and inspiring
Review: Most business books I read tend to break down into academic jargon or resemble a memo you might get in advance of a board meeting - interesting, perhaps, but difficult to relax with. The 21 Irrefutable Laws stands out as a great overview of leadership dynamics in an organization, and ring so true. I found myself nodding my head over and over as I read it. Highly recommended for those starting a business (or thinking of), leading initiatives, or wanting to understand organizational dynamics. Loved the emphasis on character and leading by example.
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Summary: Lots of quotable lines, but little substance.
Review: I was prepared to really like this book, and I did, but not as a guide to learning how to be a leader. It's a collection of anecdotes designed to demonstrate each of Maxwell's laws of leadership, and it's interesting for that. But if you're looking for a book with some good advice about how to develop and refine your leadership skills, look elseshere. At no time does Maxwell provide insight as to how the skills he describes can be developed by the reader. Bottom line: An entertaining and easy read with some interesting stories about people you've heard of, along with some sound advice, but no real meat to help you grow as a leader.
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Summary: Very true, easy read, worth your time
Review: Highly recommended: Easy to follow, very clear, strong examples. A quick summary of 10 laws. 1) Law of Influence: The true measure of leadership is influence. Influence, nothing more, nothing less. Managers can maintain direction, but cannot change it. Leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It must be earned. It takes hard work. 2) Law of Progress: Leadership Develops Daily, not in a Day. Leaders are Learners. The goal is to get a little bit better everyday. During the day, you will influence 4 people. 3) Law of Navigation: Leaders must see farther, see more, and see before others do. Past success and failures give experience. Leaders must be positive. You must have faith that you can take all your people all the way. If you cannot do that I your mind, then you cannot do that in real life. The Secret to this Law is preparation. 4) Law of Solid Ground: Trust is the foundation of leadership. You cannot take shortcuts. It is like pocket change. Every good decision, you add. Every bad decision, you take away. People forgive occasional mistakes, but if you lose their trust. It is finished. Leadership is strategy and character, but if you must be without one. . .it is better to not have strategy 5) Law of Magnetism: Leaders always look for good people. Make a list of the qualities you want in your people. Do you have those skills? You get (not who you want), but who you are. Different people will not attract themselves to you. If you want to attract better people, time to improve yourself. 6) Law of Connection: Leaders touch the Heart before the Hand. People do not care how much you know, until they know that you care. Relate to people as individuals not as a group. It is the leader¡¯s job to connect first. The tougher the challenge, the greater the connection. Lead yourself, use your head. To lead others, use your heart. 7) Law of Empowerment: Only secure leaders give powers to others. People can only achieve when the leader empowers others. Great things happen when you give credit to others. Must have belief in people. Not like a boss who is always micromanaging your work. 8) Law of Buy-In: People buy into the Leader, then the Vision. You are the message. Athletes are hired as promoters of products. You cannot separate the leader from the cause. Ghandi. Silicon Valley start ups. 9) Law of Victory: Leaders Find a Way for the Team to Win. What does it take to be a winner? Inability to accept defeat. Not winning is unacceptable. Great leaders are at their best when the pressure is on. 10) Law of Priorities: Leaders understand that activity does not equal accomplishment. A leader is one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation, and yells, ¡°WRONG JUNGLE.¡± 80/20 Principle
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Summary: Laws of Leadership
Review: I had never read a book on leadership prior to reading "the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership". I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading but I was pleasantly surprised. Although I am not usually interested in books on topics such as this, I was thoroughly entertained and interested in the stories and references about Princess Diana, Henry Ford and the McDonalds Franchise. The book flows very easily, with each of the laws relating and overlapping the other laws in some way. This makes the book easy to read and easy to follow. He often used his own experiences to illustrate a few of his "laws" which worked well in connecting the reader to the author.
If you are looking to become a leader or looking to improve your current leadership skills, this book is the perfect stepping-stone toward your goal. Each of Maxwell's laws are very descriptive and explained through a series of examples. Not once was I lost of confused by his use of language or theory. Anyone could read this book, grasp the concepts and be able to fine-tune their leadership skills. One of the pluses to this book is that it can be used for a variety of different types of leaders. Some of his examples include royalty, church figures, business executives, and sports coaches, making it easy for many different people to relate to his ideas.
If you are interested in strengthening your leadership skills, this is a good book to begin with. The laws he describes are actually something you could put into action in your everyday life. Nothing is too far-fetched or too difficult for the average person to understand or implement. I enjoyed reading the advice Maxwell had to offer and I'm sure that most anyone interested in the subject matter would as well.
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Summary: great for first book of this type
Review: This was the first book on leadership that I have read, and I found it to be very interesting and informing. In no way was I let down by its contents, in fact it turned out to be right on the money for what I expected. In short, i was not disappointed.
John Maxwell has take 21 "Laws", or qualities and characteristics, that he believes are an important building blocks for any leader to have if he want to be successful, and writes them on the pages of this book. The book is well organized and it reads quickly and smoothly. It is very easy to pull the information from the pages as you read through the text. Maxwell breaks the information down to an easy to follow level by writing clearly and then illustrating his points with personal experiences, and / or real life examples from famous sports figures and cultural icons.
I feel his "21 Laws" can be applied easily to leadership in any form. Business leaders, church leaders, team captains, political figures could all benefit from this book. I feel that all these people would be able to take something useful with them after finishing the book.
I believe that by reading this book a person will have a good start down the path of leadership, or it will provide a need boost to help make someone who already is a leader more potent. Without a doubt this book points to many aspects that people might find useful in improving their leadership skills.
I recommend this book to anyone looking to create their leadership skills, or to those looking to improve on the ones that they already have. This author has hit the nail on the head with this book. I'm sure you all will find this book as fulfilling as I did.
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Summary: An invaluable resource
Review: This is a great book. Whether you are involved in the church, business, public service, parenting, or any other leadership capacity, the laws that Maxwell explains in this book will be a benefit to you. Maxwell's laws are simple, easy to understand, and entertaining to read. He includes illustrations and anecdotes for every law, and explains each one and its implications thoroughly. The laws are discussed in such a way as to make them applicable to individual lives, and they contain universal truths that make them valuable in any field. This book is not just for people in management or leadership positions, it is for everyone--whether you are trying to determine your leadership potential or expand your leadership capability, this book is for you.
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Summary: The most concise and applicable book on leadership
Review: This book is the best book on leadership i've ever read. It seems to me that the negative reviewers of this book misunderstood this book. The book is not meant to go step by step through all 21 laws. The book is meant to tell you what the laws are of leadership, it's ur responsibility to find out how you can use these laws in your life. Honestly the laws are practical and simple and they can be implemented as soon as u understand them just by the way u speak , how much u read, how many seminars you attend and audio training material you listen to. All those things will help increase your lid of leadership but that won't happen until you know what u need to work on and this book pinpoints what a true leader is and does in the world as we know it.
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Summary: The 21Indispensable Laws of Leadership
Review: If you only have time to read one John C. Maxwell book, then this is the book to get. Dr. Maxwell's lessons are practical and easy to apply to your daily life. The 21 Laws of Leadership not only apply to you worklife, but also to your homelife.
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