The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader

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Solid maxims on leadership - Rated
Leadership expert, former preacher and prolific author John C. Maxwell asks readers to savor his chapters on the essential qualities of a leader a little at a time. He suggests reading one chapter a day like you are taking a vitamin, to give the lessons time to sink in with practice. Each of the 21 traits he cites stems from a basic value leaders can use to guide their actions. This follow-up to Maxwell's useful 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is a thinner book in every way, though still nicely thoughtful. We recommend it as a source of inspiration for self-growth and reflection.

leadership simplified - Rated
Written to complement The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, this book will help you identify and develop the personal qualities you need to become a more effective leader.

Maxwell does an excellent job of getting to the heart of each quality in a few short pages. He starts with two relevant quotations to start you thinking. He then gives you a short real-life example of that particular quality in action.

He breaks each principle down into specific applications, gives you a brief period where you can assess your own effectiveness, offers you concrete ways to improve yourself, and wraps each chapter up with a profound thought that will stay with you long after you have closed the cover.

What you get out of this book depends on how you read it. This is a very simple read, and you may be tempted to race through it and miss some key points. Maxwell rightly suggests that you walk through each quality methodically, giving it the attention that it warrants based on your current level of competence.

While the material warrants five stars, some spelling mistakes and the author's use of his own quotes dropped it down a notch for me. Otherwise, an excellent handbook for improving your personal leadership qualities.

Great encouragement that effective leadership is attainable - Rated
Through Maxwell's concise and effective use of examples and illustrations, my eyes were opened to many simple ways in which I can become a more effective leader. Suddenly, leading the people around me is not nearly so daunting. The book also provides a useful framework for assessing your own qualities of leadership. Particularly useful are the 'fleshing it out' sections at the end of each chapter which make application of the principles simple and measurable. I reccommend this book highly to anyone who needs to influence people more effectively.