Customer Reviews

The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership, Workbook

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I bought this book originally because I have a project to do for a course that I am taking in Communications in college. I often buy "self help books" such as "Flow" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Steven R. Covey or Anthony Robbins books. I saw that this book was over two hundred pages so I thought, "great I'm sold." As I first started to read the book I learned that the author John C. Maxwell was minister. I don't plan on starting a church anytime soon so I was a bit skeptical. I was however to quick to judge.

Maxwell takes his thirty years of knowledge and boiled it down into an easy to read book for anyone who wishes to better themselves or their organization through better leadership. He outlines 21 laws of leadership using many known political, sports and professional icons. Although he does not give particular examples of how you can use these "laws" in everyday problems unlike "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." Anyone with a little imagination can see how putting these laws into action can better any situation. If you are in a entry level position in a corporation such as myself. It clearly defines the difference between being a manager and being a leader. It also made me realize that the organization that I work for is has poor leadership and that is what causes so much turn over and unpleasantness with in the department.

When heading on in my career I now have better answers to give in an interview. One question that a lot of employers seem to ask is, " Are you a leader or a follower." Well if you say you are a leader then upper management may think that you will be unwilling to comply with tasks you feel insufficient. If you say you are a follower then they may feel that you are unable to come to your own conclusions about a problem and bother them with everything. My answer use to be I am a good leader, but I also know when to follow. My new answer will be, "I am a leader looking to further her education as such through mentoring of a higher level leader." I will then ask, "Do you feel that you are a manager or a leader?"

The book also gives you many illustrated stories about how other highly successful leaders came to be. As well as mistakes where people had a chance for great success but failed because of lack of leadership. Overall I would recommend the book to anyone who wants to further their education in becoming a better leader. As well as creating a better life for yourself and those who follow you.

I really found this book enjoyable because of its readability. I read the book in one sitting. I found the stories of prominent figures such as Lee Iaccoca inspiring. I am quite sure that anyone who reads this book will find these stories inspirational as well. Although most readers can expect a well-crafted discussion about the core attitudes and visions of leadership, the book does make it seem as though those who read it and do the exercises provided at the end of each chapter, will be well on his or her way to becoming the next great leader. It doesn't address the question of whether or not the figures he chose to use as examples in his book, were born with these characteristics or were these characteristics developed over time. However, if future leaders/readers are looking for a step-by-step formula, an "easy-read", and great story-telling, then Maxwell's book provides the perfect combination.

This is one of the few books that I have both read and taught on. There is much wisdom in this book, and in some ways, so much so that it is hard to keep up. This book has simple, yet elegant analogies, and it provides insight into a "better" way to manage. By following just one of the principles outlined in this book, a young or more mature leader will surely gain knowledge and be bettered by the experience.

The workbook seems to be a "Readers Digest" version of the original book. While the questions can be thought-provoking, the stories are a bit predictable and common.

John Maxwell is the world's best writer and speaker on leadership. I've seen him speak several times and read most of his boos. This workbook is a great companion book to his award winning book of the same name. I've recommended The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership to almost every one of my mentor clients and if you are a leader, or if you have an interest in becoming a great leader, this is the place to start.

Also see the John Maxwell Leadership Study Bible as a great reference on leadership with Biblical examples.

This is a very informative book. Easy to follow and offers great leadership advice.

This book is a easy read but with a lot of insightful information. Its great for those who want to improve their leadership abilities or just learn to be a more accomplished person.

Maxwell's concepts of what a leader is is quite accurate. However, I don't think he needed to spend over 200 pages to define what a leader is. That's what this book came to be: one long, repetitive, obvious definition for leadership. I didn't see these as laws so much as nuances of what he'd already said.

As a woman, reading this book was made more difficult with his overwhelming use of sports and male leaders. The few examples he uses of female leaders are the few and the cliched (ex., Mother Teresa and Princess Diana). A nun and a princess. How many women in business are either of those? Where are the examples strong, successful, inspiring female business and sports leaders?

I also found his use of his religious roles and examples tiresome.

What I felt that this book lacked most was more suggestions to improve one's leadership skills? He suggests training, but not what kind nor does he provide exercises for developing oneself as a leader.

Another failure of this book is how he rarely addresses how a strong leader should deal with situations that aren't going well. A great leader's abilities are best exemplified and most apparent in times of conflict.

I also strongly disagree that a positional leader isn't necessarily a true leader. A positional leader is in nature a leadership role. What isn't inherent in a positional leader is her or his ability to lead *well*?

One of the elements of this book I did appreciate were the pictures and quotes and the fact that the book is a quick read. Other than that, I don't feel any more prepared now than I did prior to reading this book.

Although the book has interesting case studies, it is lacking in practical step by step advice on how to become a better leader. I recommend purchasing the regular book with this workbook, otherwise it will not be helpful.