Developing the Leader Within You [ABRIDGED] [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio CD)

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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 the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

After examining the differences between leadership styles, Maxwell outlines principles for inspiring, motivating, and influencing others. These principles can be used in any organization to foster integrity and self-discipline and bring a positive change.

Developing the Leader Within You also allows readers to examine how to be effective in the highest calling of leadership by understanding the five characteristics that set leader managers apart from run-of-the-mill managers.

In this John Maxwell classic, he shows readers how to develop the vision, value, influence, and motivation required of successful leaders.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Abridged edition (September 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785260331
• ISBN-13: 978-0785260332
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,605 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 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 "Do right and fear no man" (Lemoore, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Developing the Leader Within You (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.

57 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Neil Jenman (SYDNEY, NSW AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Developing the Leader Within You (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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasuably Positive, October 10, 2003

By	Sherri Fulton-Boring (Cheswick, Pa. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Developing The Leader Within You (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,