Developing the Leader Within You [Paperback]

John C. Maxwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2005

Developing the Leader Within You is Dr. Maxwell’s first and most enduring leadership book, having sold more than one million copies. In this Christian Leaders Series edition of this Maxwell classic, you will discover the biblical foundation for leadership that John Maxwell has used as a pastor and business leader for more than forty years. These same principles and practices are available for everyday leaders in every walk of life. It is a lofty calling to lead a group—a family, a church, a nonprofi t, a business—and the timeless principles in this book will bring positive change in your life and in the lives of those around you.

You will learn:

The True Definition of Leader. “Leadership is influence. That’s it. Nothing more; nothing less.”

The Traits of Leadership. “Leadership is not an exclusive club for those who were ‘born with it.’ The traits that are the raw materials of leadership can be acquired. Link them up with desire, and nothing can keep you from becoming a leader.”

The Difference Between Management and Leadership. “Making sure the work is done by others is the accomplishment of a manager. Inspiring others to do better work is the accomplishment of a leader.”

God has called every believer to influence others, to be salt and light. Developing the Leader Within You will equip you to improve your leadership and inspire others.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Few of us are natural-born leaders, according to John C. Maxwell, author of Developing the Leader Within You. Fortunately though, "the traits that are the raw material of leadership can be acquired," he promises. "Link them up with desire and nothing can keep you from becoming a leader. This book will supply the leadership principles. You must supply the desire." True to his words, Maxwell offers a detailed and inspiring primer on becoming a leader. Even the Table of Contents reads like a motivational poster.

Maxwell (The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader), who is the founder of INJOY, a Christian-based leadership program, debunks the myth that strong leaders must have big egos and spend all their time harnessing personal power. Instead, he elevates leadership to a spiritual act of service: "The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership." Maxwell relies on real-life anecdotes, short paragraphs, charts, and numerous lists to make his wisdom accessible. As a result, his writing often seems simplistic, with a self-help tone. Nonetheless, in teaching readers how to bring out the best in themselves as well as others, Maxwell offers a worthwhile life lesson that extends far beyond the workplace. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

John C. Maxwell is an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 19 million books. He is the founder of EQUIP, a non-profit organization that has trained more than 5 million leaders in 126 countries. Read his blog at JohnMaxwellOnLeadership.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1 edition (October 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785281126
• ISBN-13: 978-0785281122
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (134 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,953 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Applied Psychology
  • #24 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Inspirational
  • #90 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Leadership

More About the Author

John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, coach, and author who has sold over 19 million books. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP and the John Maxwell Company, organizations that have trained more than 5 million leaders worldwide. Every year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and organizations as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and the United Nations. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell has written three books which have each sold more than one million copies: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. You can find him at JohnMaxwell.com and follow him at Twitter.com/JohnCMaxwell.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#5 in Books > Business & Investing

#14 in Kindle eBooks > Business & Investing

#42 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#44 in Books > Self-Help

#5 in Books > Business & Investing

#14 in Kindle eBooks > Business & Investing

#42 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#44 in Books > Self-Help

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best beginner book on the market May 26, 2000

By Leon M. Bodevin

Format:Hardcover

There are lots of gold nuggets of information in this book. If this is your first book on leadership, you'll love it. It's a great place to start. Among the important topics covered by Maxwell are how to build coalitions to effect change and how to nurture your employees to become leaders in their own right. Maxwell brings to bear psychological studies and anecdotes to motivate the reader to become a better leader. Perhaps the best part of this book are Maxwell's stories (Maxwell's leadership principles are backed up by humorous anecdotes from Benjamin Franklin, Abe Lincoln, and others). My one complaint about this book is that Maxwell has an annoying habit of dogmatically stating nonsense (there are 6 levels of leadership, if you work better with people, you're a follower, etc.). He can come off as awfully patronizing. But I still consider this book worth owning, especially for one just getting started on the subject. For what Maxwell is trying to accomplish, you won't get any better than this book.

62 of 73 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent book on leadership. September 16, 1998

By Neil Jenman

Format:Hardcover

In four years I have read this book many times. My original copy is dog-eared and tatty from repeated readings. We bought hundreds of copies for our clients, all of whom are now becoming better leaders. I sent a copy to the General Manager of a resort hotel. He bought a copy for all his heads of departments. I have never met a person who has read 'Developing The Leader' who did not love it. Every aspiring politician should receive a copy and be tested on it before being allowed to hold office.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasuably Positive October 10, 2003

By Sherri Fulton-Boring

Format:Hardcover

"Developing the Leader within You" by John C. Maxwell was a delightful reading experience. Not only was it informative on how to become a successful leader, it was entertaining as well.
Maxwell expressed his views on leadership through illustration of comic strips, quotes from famous people and his own life experiences. For example: "Abraham Lincoln said, "I will get ready; then perhaps my chance will come." He used these examples to demonstrate how anyone one can become a great leader. He also used Charlie Brown from the Peanuts comic strip. Charlie said his life was mixed up because he had missed "all the rehearsals" That expressed his leadership abilities, added humor but also expressed the truth on leadership.
He used quotes that he utilized when giving a seminar. "Life is 10 percent of what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it". These words were so enlightening it was like a light bulb went off as I was reading them.
Another technique I found enjoyable was Maxwell's pulling his readers into the book by asking us to stop and evaluate his own leadership skills. This kept me on my toes and I was able to comprehend the skills he was explaining. This also was helpful after completing the book to realize what my strengths and weakness are in leadership.
Throughout the book he gave the true definition of leadership "Leadership is influence. That's it. Nothing more.nothing less...He who thinketh he leadeth and has no one following him is only taking a walk." A positive attitude was expressed throughout the book by using the delightful material.
All in all I found this book a joy to read and would recommend it not only for leadership purposes but also for life experiences.
Thank you,
I am a student from the University of Pittsburgh,