Maxwell, 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

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John C. Maxwell, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You. Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Sequel: 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader

Referenced in the Following Ministry Resource Guides:

Brief Intro to Maxwell

John Maxwell is perhaps the most widely-read author on leadership and life-effectiveness today. LifeandLeadership.com cross-lists Maxwell’s writings under different categories:

  • Inspiring Leadership — Maxwell is a strong leader in his own right, and equips people to exercise leadership that brings out the best in others.
  • Leadership and Life-Effectiveness — In a manner similar to many authors in the success genre, Maxwell presents his insights in terms of what it means to lead a more productive life.

Each of his volumes makes a solid contribution to literature on these subjects, but with so many titles, it is often hard to know where to start. The LifeandLeadership.com Ministry Resource Guide on the John Maxwell Leadership Library may help readers understand the unique value of each of his works, and how each relates to the others.

Observations on 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

This is arguably Maxwell’s most widely read volume. He presents and explains 21 leadership maxims:

1. Law of the lidLeadership Ability Determines a Person’s Level of Effectiveness

2. Law of InfluenceThe True Measure of Leadership is Influence — Nothing More, Nothing Less

3. Law of ProcessLeadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day

4. Law of NavigationAnyone Can Steer the Ship, But It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course

5. Law of E.F HuttonWhen the Real Leader Speaks, People Listen

6. Law of Solid GroundTrust Is the Foundation of Leadership

7. Law of RespectPeople Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger Then Themselves

8. Law of IntuitionLeaders Evaluate Everything with a Leadership Bias

9. Law of MagnetismWho You Are Is Whom You Attract

10. Law of ConnectionLeaders Touch a Heart Before They Ask for a Hand

11. Law of the Inner CircleA Leader’s Potential Is Determined by Those Closest to Him

12. Law of EmpowermentOnly Secure Leaders Give Power to Others

13. Law of ReproductionIt Takes a Leader to Raise Up a Leader

14. Law of Buy-InPeople Buy Into the Leader, Then the Vision

15. Law of VictoryLeaders Find a Way for the Team to Win

16. Law of MomentumYou can’t steer a ship that isn’t moving forward. It takes a leader to create forward motion

17. Law of PrioritiesLeaders Understand That Activity Is Not Necessarily Accomplishment

18. Law of SacrificeA Leader Must Give Up to Go Up

19. Law of TimingWhen to Lead Is As Important As What to Do and Where to Go

20. Law of Explosive GrowthTo Add Growth, Lead Followers — To Multiply, Lead Leaders

21. Law of LegacyA Leader’s Lasting Value Is Measured by Succession

From the Publisher

If you’ve never read The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, you’ve been missing out on one of the best-selling leadership books of all time. If you have read the original version, then you’ll love this new expanded and updated one.

Internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author John C. Maxwell has taken this million-seller and made it even better:

  • Every Law of Leadership has been sharpened and updated
  • Seventeen new leadership stories are included
  • Two new laws are introduced
  • New evaluation tool will reveal your leadership strengths-and weaknesses
  • New application exercises in every chapter will help you grow

Why would Dr. Maxwell make changes to his best-selling book?

“A book is a conversation between the author and reader,” says Maxwell. “It’s been ten years since I wrote The 21 Laws of Leadership. I’ve grown a lot since then. I’ve taught these laws in dozens of countries around the world. This new edition gives me the opportunity to share what I’ve learned.”

About the Author

In 1985, John Maxwell founded The INJOY Group, a collection of three distinct companies that employ 200 people and provide resources and services that help people reach their personal and leadership potential. In addition to building a successful organization, John has authored more than thirty books, including the New York Times best sellers The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and Failing Forward.

Called the nation’s foremost expert on leadership, John was born in central Ohio five and a half decades ago. He credits his excellent leadership instincts and his early leadership training to his father, Melvin Maxwell, whom he followed into the ministry. For over twenty-five years, John led churches in Indiana, Ohio, and California.

In 1995, John began dedicating himself full-time to writing, speaking, and consulting. Each year he speaks live to more than 350,000 people. Known as a dynamic communicator, he is in high demand on the topic of leadership, and he speaks to many American corporations and entrepreneurial organizations. He also is a popular speaker for churches, non-profits, sports organizations, and television programs. In addition, he dedicates time each year to teaching leadership internationally.

John has earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and has also received five honorary doctorates. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife of over thirty years and enjoys spending time with his two grown children and his grandchildren.



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