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Summary: Maybe too simple for some, but applicable to many...
Review: I will tell you that I read some of the reviews here and thought that this book was nothing more than kindergarten drivel. Interesting enough to the contrary, Maxwell makes the complex very simple. There are two chapters that have given me direct understanding of a situation that was a mystery to me before. The concept of an appointment to a position of authority only buying you time to build relationships and influence is one that I will never forget for the rest of my career. His examples may be simple, but the reality is that this book is full of real wisdom on the topic of leadership. Maxwell doesn't take you into the spiral of matrices and concentric circles of influence type of jargon; just real life. Read this book and start on the path to honing your leadership skills.
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Summary: Great Alternative to a Sleeping Pill
Review: A horribly boring book.Maxwell's books are not LAWS!! They are his personal opinions and/or theories. He needs to stop trying to be the Einstein or Newton of Management & Leadership. If he wants to truly find out about leadership, he should attend a military leadership school for the full amount of time (anywhere between two weeks and a year).
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Summary: your personal leadership inventory
Review: Socrates advised, "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for." Whether you like him or not, there's no denying that John Maxwell has a handle on leadership principles. This book boils down more than 30 years of Maxwell's life of learned and applied leadership to 21 laws. If you could condense 30 years of a man's life into one book of basic principles that you could learn and apply to your own life, what would it be worth to you? Although they all combine to form the foundation for leadership, each of the 21 laws stands alone. As you read through each law, take a personal inventory to determine which areas are working for you and which need to be improved. This book is not particularly good at showing how to apply each law to your own situation, but it does give excellent real-life examples of what happens when these laws are (and aren't) applied. Maxwell likes blowing his own horn to illustrate the laws in some cases, but he also uses many other "big name" examples from the world of business, politics, the military, sports and the church. Each chapter will enable you to understand a key facet of your leadership ability, assess it for yourself, and begin the next step of filling in the gaps that have held you back from being the leader you could be. Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory
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Summary: Again and again, and again....
Review: What can I say: this book is destined to become a leadership classic! I've read it more times than I can count and learn something new each and every time. The truth is I am a fan of John's work and I consider him to be a real pioneer in this area. When one considers some of the terrible examples we have standing up in the pulpit and in front of the podium nowadays, it is refreshing to have a book you can read that really spells out what leadership actually is. I have no doubt that if you want to become a leader or increase your leadership capabilities then reading this book and putting the 21 Irrefutable Laws into practice every day will get you there! I highly recommend this book! Reviewed by: James L. Clark, MBA, MSc., PhD Candidate (Leadership) is a serial entrepreneur, lecturer, and consultant in the areas of success, achievement, personal development, influence and leadership. He is the author of the book Wading Through the Crap: How to Start Living the Successful Life You Have Always Wanted (ISBN 0972697551), which as received rave reviews.
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Summary: A Valuable Tool For Any Church
Review: The sheer number of reviews for this book tell you it is reading that makes an impact. Many people love Maxwell's work. Almost as many people despise it. Those who love it run the risk of becoming lopsided in ministry. Those who despise it run the risk of ignoring his practical advice to their own peril. Taken for what it is, this book is probably one of the best pragmatic books on organizational management available. This book is NOT . . .
spiritual. Granted, good Christian leadership is more than mechanical.
new. Maxwell doesn't create new principles. He rediscovers the tried and true.
balanced. Maxwell focuses his spotlight on pragmatic issues.
the whole tool box. Don't ignore it because it leaves a lot unsaid. This book IS . . .
effective. Read it carefully and slowly. It can help you become a better leader.
easy to read. Maxwell might not be the world's deepest theologian, but he is an excellent communicator.
packaged well. You can add workbooks and multimedia to create a great leadership training course.
a wonderful tool. I suggest it be coupled with someone who writes from another perspective . . . like Eugene Peterson. Now for some great quotes from the book.
"Leadership ability determines a person's level of effectiveness."
"The true measure of leadership is influence--nothing more, nothing less."
"Leadership develops daily, not in a day."
"Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course."
"When the real leader speaks, people listen."
"Trust is the foundation of leadership."
"People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves."
"Leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias."
"Who you are is who you attract."
"Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand."
"A leader's potential is determined by those closest to him."
"Only secure leaders give power to others."
"It takes a leader to raise up a leader."
"People buy into the leader, then the vision."
"Leaders find a way for the team to win."
"Momentum is a leader's best friend."
"Leaders understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishment."
"A leader must give up to go up."
"When to lead is as important as what to do and where to go."
"To add growth, lead followers--to multiply, lead leaders."
"A leader's lasting value is measured by succession." Find any of these interesting? Buy the book!
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Summary: Did I Read the Same Book as Everyone Else?
Review: Maxwell's "rules of leadership" are a conglomeration of rules/principles that can be found in nearly every leadership text produced since the mid-70's. There really isn't anything new or groundbreaking that is uncovered within these pages. Thus, reading it seems as if you're doomed to repeatedly watching re-runs. But, what makes this book truly unbearable is the fact that Mr. Maxwell is truly an egotistical person. He constantly refers to situations in which he was the main player and reports how successful he was. These situations and stories are oftentimes too good to be true. Perhaps the situation turned out well, but no way do they all end with the happy ending he refers to so often. Moreover, Maxwell seems intent on believing that only he and a handful of other people in the world are/were truly good leaders. I find the fact that he was a man of the cloth hard to believe since he has a lack of humility. Save your $16 and buy "Leadership Challenge" or "Execution".
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Summary: Some of the best leadership principles in 21 laws.
Review: The fundamental premise behind the 21 irrefutable laws in this book is that leadership skills can be learned. These laws and the premise are based on the 30+ years of leadership experience of the author and several great leaders that we all recognize and several others that ought to be recognized by all. The book is divided into 21 chapters with each chapter focused on explaining one of the 21 irrefutable laws. The author takes the approach of using real life stories to prove each law. The author has a writing style that gets the reader engrossed in the book no matter where you open the book and start reading it. These real life stories are woven together very smoothly and explain each law without leaving any doubts in the minds of the readers about why the law is irrefutable. In each chapter, there are several of the author's proverbs and interesting observations enclosed in little boxes. For example, one that we would all accept - "The only thing a title can buy is a little time - either to increase your level of influence with others or to erase it". Another that was an interesting fact - "By the end of his military service, Abraham Lincoln found his rightful place, having achieved the rank of private". There are several great leadership books in the market and this is one of the best. Read it, absorb it, and apply it to see the results for yourself and judge the power of this book. Good luck!
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Summary: What are these guys talking about? Its a good book!
Review: OK, I have to admit it. I am a Maxwell fan. I just like his stuff. If you had to read just one Maxwell book read this one. In it John synthesizes his lifetime of teaching and leadership into twenty-one irrefutable laws of leadership. For diehard Maxwell fans, this book is not going to tell you anything you do not already know, but it serves are a great reminder of those principles that separate successful leaders from the also-rans. To be sure, there are some who see such works on leadership as circumventing the leading and power of the Holy Spirit, but they are wrong. Good leadership cannot make up for the lack of spiritual depth, but put the two together- leadership and spiritual depth and you have an unstoppable situation.
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Summary: On the soapbox
Review: This book was pretty dry reading, the author had some good ideas, but overall there was nothing to help my leadership skills in the short term. The ideas presented reminded me of a politicians ramblings, if you want to be in politics this would be a good book. I didn't care for it. Check out Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life, it has practical every day advice on life.
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Summary: Good Book
Review: I was struggling with leadership and knew nothing about my role as a leader. After I read this book, it opened my eyes and then further inspired me to learn leadership and lead. I do like the fact that it is only 226 pages, easy to read, and well organized. Leadership is not something you play around with. The more people you have to lead, the harder it gets, this book helps you understand your role as a leader. I read other books on leadership, and I defiantly recommend reading this one, especially you're new to leadership, or to leadership books.
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