Author: John C. Maxwell, 1998. 234 pgs.
Reviewed by Alan Young, WELD
This is a book on leadership that I think should be in everyone's personal or professional library. The book contains real life examples of leadership principles that are easily transferred to any work environment. I had no problem thinking of direct applications for the university environment, extension administration, and clientele we deal with in our extension work. The book was easy to read. I started on a Friday evening and was finished by Saturday evening. Even though the reading was easy, the concepts had a lot of depth and fit in with other books I have read on the subject. I have listed the chapter titles and headings below so that you can get a flavor of the breathe of topics. I found chapters 12, 13 and 20 especially interesting because they touched on problems I have seen in management of dairies that I work with. This is a book I plan on adding to my own personal library.
1. The Law of the Lid - Leadership ability determines a person's level of effectiveness
2. The Law of Influence - The true measure of leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less.
3. The Law of Process - Leadership develops daily, not in a day.
4. The Law of Navigation - Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.
5. The Law of E.F. Hutton - When the real leader speaks, people listen.
6. The Law of Solid Ground - Trust is the foundation of leadership.
7. The Law of Respect - People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves.
8. The Law of Intuition - Leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias.
9. The Law of Magnetism - Who you are is who you attract.
10. The Law of Connection - Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.
11. The Law of the
12. The Law of Empowerment - Only secure leaders give power to others.
13. The Law of Reproduction - It takes a leader to raise up a leader.
14. The Law of Buy-In - People buy into the leader, then the vision.
15. The Law of Victory - Leaders find a way for the team to win.
16. The Law of the Big Mo - Momentum is a leader's best friend.
17. The Law of Priorities - Leaders understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishment.
18. The Law of Sacrifice - A leader must give up to go up.
19. The Law of Timing - When to lead is as important as what to do and where to go.
20. The Law of Explosive Growth - To add growth, lead followers - to multiply, lead leaders.
21. The Law of Legacy - A leader's lasting value is measured by succession.