My book report...

I had to do a book report for my leadership class. Here it is!

Book Report of Developing the Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell

I found this to be a very good book, yet a very challenging book to get through. I liked it and begrudged it all at the same time. John Maxwell no doubt has a complete grasp on the heart and pulse of leadership. He has studied it a thousand ways and probably offers one of the most concrete road maps for leadership out there. Yet, this is also why it is hard to read. The content is thick and dense and it took me two months just to get through the first 2 chapters!

Of the 10 topics of which he has divided into chapters, Maxwell focuses a whole lot of time throughout the book on character development and people development. He does quote several times that, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” What I think he is saying is that the type of leader you are (character), and how you lead others (people development), will determine the influence you have and the success or failure of your organization (whether that organization be your job, your volunteer work or even your family). So, here in this brief summary, I will focus on these two subjects.

In terms of character, there is no surprise that integrity is the highest essential. Integrity is defined as, “completeness, wholeness.” In order to lead others effectively, you personally need to operate from a place of integrity. Integrity is developed by, and causes to be created, several qualities including a great moral compass (Godly values), self-discipline, organization and attitude. Also, when someone is “whole,” they know where they are going (they have goals), why they are going somewhere (priorities and knowledge) and how to communicate these effectively to others (their team.) Maxwell says, “The more credible you are, the more confidence people place in you.”

Flowing from integrity is also the ability to love. A great love for people, for the team and for the organization will be evident in a great leader. Great leaders care more about others than themselves. Great leaders make time to deal with important issues relevant to the people they work with. Although great leaders must prioritize their time spent with people, it shines through that if they focus on key people in their day-to-day, that that will filter throughout the organization.

Regarding people development, Maxwell quotes, “People don’t want to be managed. They want to be lead.” This means, again, that the leader clearly regards people as his most valuable asset, not his position or title. Effective management of people comes from the bottom up, and a leader will never rise in the organization unless they realize that people come first. I loved the following quote, “A leader must never place themselves above others except in carrying responsibilities.”

And last, combining the two ideas, character and people development, I find this quote from the book suitable, “In order to be a good people manager, one also must carefully manage himself.” When a leader can deal with himself first, then they are ready to deal with, and lead, others.