Rating: 
Summary: 157 pages of quality reading on leadership
Review: In this leadership book by Maxwell he provides leadership quotes and then dives into the quote / life of the individual/s he is mentioning and then shows evidence. Having read several of Maxwell's books I think this is one of his better ones as the stories, quotes and examples can truly transform people. The author uses twenty-one qualities for the basis of successful leadership: character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, attitude, problem-solving, relationship, responsibility, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachability and vision. History has shown us that great companies (that create tons of shareholder wealth) / teams are created by great leaders. I read this hoping to further develop my leadership skills. I believe the key ingredient in getting long-term value out of this book is to highlight the quotes/stories you love and integrate them into your daily life. Practice what you read if it ties in with your VALUES. Like someone earlier stated I believe that the values / qualities expressed in this book provide a practical guide to achieving personal fulfillment in marriage, parenthood, and all other relationships outside of business.
Hope this helps everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Can I get my money back??!!
Review: Dear John Maxwell, I didn`t need to know about how good leader you are, about your organization and that material anyone could come out with. I made a mistake buying this book, at least I learned not to buy another one you had written. Dear friend who wants to buy a book on leadership, I was once in your shoes, if I could turn back time I would have appreciated if somebody had told me: DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Often Invisible Obvious
Review: What if the CEO of a major organization were to line up 10-15 senior-level managers on the floor of a large arena whose seats are filled by all other employees? And what if the CEO then said "Here are our highest-ranking executives. On the ballot provided to you, list the three you most respect and trust, those whom you most want to work for." My guess (obviously only a guess) is that the decisions made by those who respond in the hypothetical situation just described would be determined by perceptions of qualities such as the 21 which Maxwell affirms. For example, character, commitment, communication, courage, positive attitude, and what Maxwell calls "servanthood." Think about history's greatest leaders in government, the military, religion, and athletics as well as in business. Do they not all share most (if not all) of the 21 qualities which Maxwell examines in this book? And did they not attract substantial numbers of voluntary (key word) followers who shared their vision, believed in them, and often followed them through incredibly difficult circumstances which were often life- or at least career-threatening? The most demanding person I ever worked for not only expected excellence, he demanded it. I would present a proposal which was 98% perfect and he always found the 2% weak spot. He was almost impossible to satisfy. Over time, I became obsessed with not disappointing him. And over time I realized that what I thought were wholly unrealistic expectations of me (and others) were based on his certainty that I (and they) could meet standards which seemed impossible. Presumably Maxwell agrees with me that a leader does a great disservice to everyone involved when accepting (thereby condoning) an individual's shoddy performance or inappropriate behavior. This point is made over and over again in Buckingham and Coffman's First, Break All the Rules. The greatest managers are so demanding because they care so much about those for whom they are responsible. Many times, great managers have greater faith in their people's capabilities and potentialities than those people have in themselves. I highly recommend this book because it makes an eloquent affirmation of values which have proven indispensable to all great leaders throughout human history. I also recommend it so highly because I am absolutely convinced that those same values, together, provide a practical guide to achieving personal fulfillment in marriage, parenthood, and all other relationships. Unless and until you become the person you yourself would voluntarily, indeed eagerly follow, it is highly doubtful that anyone else will.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book
Review: Unfortunately, many people seeking leadership fail to see what it takes to succeed. The answer is simple and probably obvious, but hard to follow. Becoming a leader that others want to follow is a product of fairness, honesty, and treating others with respect and kindness. It is about being true to yourself and helping others along the way. John C. Maxwell provides inspiring and motivating advice on how to accomplish. I often review these 21 qualities and find ways to incorporate them into my life. This book is small, but the lessons are big. I definitely recommend it to readers who are passionate about life and who care enough to make a difference.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the way the world I live in works....
Review: I have a great deal of experience in working with executives in billion-dollar companies. The successful corporate model is much closer to Gordon Gecko than to the personal traits described in this book. I hope that I have simply wandered down a terrible path, and that everything is as nice as suggested in this book - but I doubt it.
Rating:
Summary: MAXWELL HAS A WINNING COMBINATION!
Review: Of all the books available on leadership, I have found this to be one of the best, and leadership is part of what I teach through my business management courses. This is by no means one of the lengthiest books or most in-depth books, but it says more in 157 pages than others say in 400 pages. The easy-flowing writing style creates an enjoyable reading experience which does not take an extensive amount of thought or time to comprehend. The end result is an accomplished, basic book served in a professional style. The author uses these twenty-one qualities for the basis of successful leadership: character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, attitude, problem-solving, relationship, responsibility, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachability and vision. What a sensational, winning combination! Each of these twenty-one components is discussed separately. While all of these elements are critical for strong leadership, if I had to narrow the scope down to five areas of particular benefit, it would be the ones on character, competence, listening, generosity and self-discipline. I particularly liked Maxwell's straight-forward approach and positive attitude exhibited throughout the book. One other book that rated at the top of my list, and one I would also highly recommend, is a favourite, all-time classic, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.
Rating:
Summary: A simple and straightforward gem
Review: In this book, which is meant to be a companion to The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Maxwell outlines 21 qualities (character traits) for readers to examine and seek to attain in their lives in order to become more dynamic leaders. Some of the qualities discussed include: character, problem-solving, servanthood, vision, passion, generosity, courage, focus, and teachability. Each quality represents a chapter in the book (the chapters average about 8 pages), and each begins with two quotations to focus the reader's attention to the upcoming material. After the quotations, the author relays a brief anecdote, usually about an historical figure who embodies the quality being presented. The rest of the chapter seeks to engage the reader with "fleshing it out," "reflecting on it," "brining it home," and "daily take away" sections which are designed to provide an opportunity for reflection. Maxwell uses bold and direct language, and asks specific questions to help his audience discover whether or not they need to work on a particular area or quality in their lives. In the introduction, Maxwell recommends that readers digest a chapter, then reflect on it for a period of time, examining themselves in action through the lens of what they have learned before moving to the next quality. This seems a wise approach, especially as the entire book consists of only about 150 pages, and each chapter can be read in a matter of a few minutes. The book is excellent as a whole, and Maxwell's insights are sharp and timely; the only somewhat annoying thing is the few pages at the end of the book that are dedicated to advertising INJOY's (Maxwell's organization) wares. However, I am willing to overlook this minor detail in favor of the overall quality of the work, and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: A Perfect Companion
Review: I actually enjoyed the 21 Qualities better than the 21 Laws of Leadership. This book goes right to what matters most in leadership - character. This is probably the best gift I can think of for new graduates, and young adults heading out on their own.
Rating:
Summary: Read it & read it again next January
Review: 21 irrefutable laws focuses on principles for leading organizations & others 21 indispensable qualities is focused on one's own character, the ability to lead oneself. People may have read similar thoughts from Peter Drucker, Stephen Covey, Zig Ziglar and Dale Carnegie as I have, but John Maxwell presents the challenge to become introspective by presenting the achivements/disappointments of others to drive the point home (to the heart.) A great book to read each January to regain focus.
Rating:
Summary: An invaluable business tool
Review: John Maxwell has changed my life and revolutionized my interior design business. Thanks to his tips on leadership my sales team has almost doubled its productivity, due largely to the cult of personality I have inspired in them. They have erected an effigy of my radiant image in the lobby and openly worship it. The public has reacted well to that particular initiative and have come flocking in droves to use our business or to lap up my utterances.
|
