Product Description

In the tradition of his million-seller The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, author John C. Maxwell provides a concise, accessible leadership book that helps readers become more effective leaders from the inside out. Daily readings highlight twenty-one essential leadership qualities and include "Reflecting On It" and "Bringing It Home" sections that help readers integrate and apply each day's material.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12352 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

Amazon.com Review
Why do some people consistently inspire others to follow their lead? According to John C. Maxwell, author of 24 books and a regular speaker on the topic, it's the "character qualities" they possess. In The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Maxwell identifies these top traits as character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, positive attitude, problem-solving, relationships, responsibility, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachability, and vision--and then defines them in ways that readers can absorb and utilize. Each is covered in a separate chapter opening with a high-concept definition and continuing with relevant anecdotes, details on its meaning, suggestions for further reflection, and exercises for improvement. For example, in the section on vision ("You can seize only what you can see"), Maxwell describes how Walt Disney initially developed the theme-park concept after accompanying his daughters to a fun-filled but rather shabby amusement park. He then analyzes how Disney's resultant projects drew on his personal history while meeting other's needs, and explains how readers must "listen to several voices" to develop successful foresight in a similar way. Finally, Maxwell suggests methods to articulate these visions and measure their implementation. --Howard Rothman

About the Author
John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold over 13 million books. His organizations have trained more than 2 million leaders worldwide. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP and INJOY Stewardship Services.

Customer Reviews

Maxwell Is On Time, On Target
I have read all Maxwells books on leadership. His common sense, straight forward approach makes tremendous sense. As you read his books there is a great deal of overlap, I have never felt 'taken' however as Maxwell's writing is interesting and insightful. If I were picking a coach purely for leadership, John Maxwell would be a great choice.

Leader
This book makes you think the way we should each day. eye opener and enlightening.

A Good Companion
John Maxwell has done his best to make this an easy-to-read and useful text - and he has indeed made it an easy read. The chapters are short - most being around seven pages or about ten minutes worth of reading. Each of the twenty-one qualities can be read and digested independently; a great advantage for the time-efficient reader. The language Maxwell uses is simple and straightforward, almost bullet-like at times, and his format makes reading almost effortless. Each chapter contains a story, an explanation of what the story means in terms of leadership skills, and a reflection on the particular leadership virtue he is discussing. Then, so that the read can make use of the material, he adds a "bringing it home" paragraph and a "daily take-away" paragraph at the end of each lesson, making the text read much like a how-to workbook.

How useful this workbook might be to the reader however, is another matter. While Maxwell attempts to be as brief as possible, leadership is not a subject that lends itself to brevity. Concepts like Focus, Generosity, and Courage are complex and abstract; something Dorothy and her friends did not consider before they were off to see the wizard. And just as magical as it was for the wizard to pull these virtues from his bag, it would be equally magical for the reader to learn these characteristics from such abbreviated lessons. While the image of a leader that Maxwell depicts seems to be right on the mark, none of the personal leadership attributes are explained in enough detail to turn a mediocre leader into one who excels. Maxwell's condensed explanations give the reader the impression that leadership and vision can be quickly learned and mastered, which in the everyday world of leading is just not so.

The one real `turn off' in this book is the author's many references to his other book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership as the better text. Maxwell seems to continually remind the reader that Qualities of a Leader is better explained in this other, more complete text. This is always very disappointing to a reader and only leads one to feel that they have purchased the wrong book, and consequentially to wonder why it is worth reading and finally, to question why Maxwell bothered to write it at all. This is where, as with so many self-help books and programs, the intimate author-reader bond begins to feel like the much less intimate, and less comfortable, profiteer-consumer link.

I would recommend reading Qualities of a Leader for several reasons. Most leadership texts, this one included, generate reflection and lead to improvement. However Qualities of a Leader does not provide enough substance or outline changes in any direct or specific way, making this book a good companion or an excellent preface to the reading of more substantial leadership texts.