JOHN MAXWELL
Part of the follow ministry resources: Leadership Development Through Life Effectiveness, Christian Leadership, Empowerment, Transformational Leadership
John Maxwell is indisputably the most widely read author on leadership and leadership development. His books have sold millions of copies, and each new title is received enthusiastically. Maxwell is highly inspirational and motivational, with a style and content characteristic of most success literature. Yet he covers enough substance to challenge the most experienced leader. Not all of his books are biblically based, but all are biblically friendly, as Maxwell emerged into his status as a world-class leadership speaker and consultant after several years in ministry.
In terms of leadership theories and leadership styles, Maxwell’s emphasis on influencing others through authentic character, genuine relationship, teamwork, encouragement, positive reinforcement, etc., definitely place him within the empowerment model. Aside from one of his newest books, The Five Levels of Leadership, he does not discuss theory and assessments, but conveys clear advice in a direct, positive, and inspiring manner.
Maxwell has written over 30 books. The categorizations below may help readers choose the one most needed for their own developmental needs.
Essential John Maxwell — A newer series that distills the principles from many of his earlier volumes into shorter works arranged according to important dimensions of leadership and life.
- Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
- Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
- Relationships 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
- Equipping 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
- Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
- Success 101: Whatever Every Leader Needs to Know
- Mentoring 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
John Maxwell on Leadership — These are more directly addressed to those who are or aspire to be leaders
- The Five Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential
- Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned From a Lifetime of Leading
- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and the People Will Follow You See also the 21 Laws Growth Guide” below
- The 21 Irrefutable Qualities of a Leader: Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow
- Developing The Leader Within You
- Developing The Leaders Around You: How to Help Others Fulfill Their Potential
- Running With the Giants: What the Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know About Life and Leadership
John Maxwell on Influencing Others Regardless of Position — In keeping with the empowering themes, these volumes equips those who are not positioned as leaders still make a significant difference in the lives of others.
- Becoming a Person of Influence: How to Positively Impact the Lives of Others
- John Maxwell, Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently
- The 360-Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization
John Maxwell on Improving Relationships — Here Maxwell focuses on relationship improvement for life in general
- Winning With People: Discover the People Principles that Work for You Every Time
- 25 Ways to Win With People: How to Make Others Feel Like a Million Bucks
John Maxwell on Teamwork — Addresses team leadership as well as team participation
- The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork: Embrace Them and Empower Your Team
- The 17 Indisputable Qualities of a Team Player: Becoming the Kind of Person Every Team Wants
John Maxwell on Success — These represent Maxwell at his motivational best
- The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential
- Your Roadmap to Success: You Can Get There From Here
- Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones
- Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow’s Success
- Talent is Never Enough: Discover the Choices That Will Take You Beyond Your Talent
- The Difference Maker: Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset
John Maxwell Devotional Guides on Leadership
- The Maxwell Leadership Bible
- Leadership Promises for Every Day: A Daily Devotional
- The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day: Revitalize Your Spirit and Empower Your Leadership
- The Right to Lead: A Study in Character and Courage
21 Laws Leadership Growth Guide
In Appendix B of the 2007 edition of Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, he provides the 21 Laws Leadership Growth Guide which categorizes several of his volumes that help a person target growth in each of the 21 Laws. I have duplicated the list here, with links to Amazon.com for each.
1. THE LAW OF THE LID: Leadership Abililty Determines a Person’s Level of Effectiveness
- The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader
- The Right to Lead
- The 360-Degree Leader – Values #2: “Leaders are Needed at Every Level of the Organization” and Value #4: “Good Leaders in the Middle Maker Better Leaders at the Top.”
2. THE LAW OF INFLUENCE: The True Measure of Leadership is Influence – Nothing More, Nothing Less
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 1: The Definition of Leadership: Influence”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Section I: “The Myth of Leading from the Middle of an Organization” and Section II: The Challenges 360-Degree Leaders Face.”
- Winning With People
3. THE LAW OF PROCESS: Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day
- Today Matters
- Your Road Map for Success – Chapter 5: “What Should I Pack in My Suitcase?”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Up Principle #9: “Be Better Tomorrow Than You Are Today”
- Leadership Promises for Every Day
- The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day
4. THE LAW OF NAVIGATION: Anyone Can Steer the Ship, But it Takes a Leader to Chart the Course
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 5: “The Quickest Way to Gain Leadership: Problem-Solving”
- Thinking for a Change – Skill #2: “Unleash the Potential of Focused Thinking”; Skill 4: “Recognize the Importance of Realistic Thinking”; Skill 5: “Release the Power of Strategic Thinking”
- Becoming a Person of Influence – Chapter 7: “Navigates for Other People.”
5. THE LAW OF ADDITION: Leaders Add Value by Serving Others
- Today Matters – Chapter 12: “Today’s Generosity Gives Me Significance”
- Thinking for a Change – Skill 10: “Experience the Satisfactoin of Unselfish Thinking”
- Become a Person of Influence – Chapter 2: “Nurtures Other People”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Up Principle #2: “Lighten Your Leader’s Load”; Lead-Up Principle #3: “Be Willing to Do What Others Won’t”; Lead-Across Principle #3: “Be a Friend”; Lead-Across Principle #3: “Let the Best Idea Win”
- Your Road Map for Success – Chapter 8: “Is It a Family Trip?” and Chapter 9: “Who Else Should I Take with Me?”
6. THE LAW OF SOLID GROUND: Trust is the Foundation of Leadership
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 3: “The Most Important Ingredient of Leadership: Integrity.”
- Becoming a Person of Influence – Chapter 1: “Integrity With People”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Up Principle #1: “Lead Yourself Exceptionally Well.”
- Ethics 101
7. THE LAW OF RESPECT: People Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger Than Themselves
- Thinking for a Change – Skill 6: “Feel the Energy of Possiblity Thinking”
- Your Road Map to Success – Chapter 4: “How Do I Get There from Here?”
- Winning With People
- The 360-Degree Leader
8. THE LAW OF INTUITION: Leaders Evaluate Everything with a Leadership Bias
- Thinking for a Change – Skill 8: “Question the Acceptance of Popular Thinking” and Skill 11: “Enjoy the Return of Bottom-Line Thinking”
- The 360-Degree Leader
- Leadership Gold
9. THE LAW OF MAGNETISM: Who You Are Is Who You Attract
- Today Matters – Chapter 13: “Today’s Values Give Me Direction”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Across Principle #4: “Avoid Office Politics”
- Talent Is Never Enough
- The Choice Is Yours
10. THE LAW OF CONNECTION: Leaders Touch a Heart Before They Ask for a Hand
- 25 Ways to Win with People
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Up Principle #5: “Invest in Relational Chemistry”; Lead-Across Principle #1: “Understand, Practice, and Complete the Leadership Loop”; Lead-Down Principle #1: “Walk Slowly Through the Halls”; Lead-Down Principle #2: “See Everyone Becoming a Person of Influence-Chapter 8: “Connects with People”
- Winning with People
11. THE LAW OF THE INNER CIRCLE: A Leader’s Potential Is Determined by Those Closest to Him
- The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork
- The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player
- Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Down Principle #4: “Place People in Their Strength Zones” and Lead-Down Principle #7: “Reward for Results”
12. THE LAW OF EMPOWERMENT: Only Secure Leaders Give Power to Others
- Failing Forward
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Across Principle #7: “Don’t Pretend You’re Perfect”
- Winning with People – Section 1: “Are We Prepared for Relationships?”
- Becoming a Person of Influence – Chapter 9: “Empowers People”
- Thinking for a Change – Skill 9: “Encourage the Participation of Shared Thinking”
- Your Road Map for Success – Chapter 6: “How Do I Handle the Detours?”
- The Difference Maker
13. THE LAW OF THE PICTURE: People Do What People See
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Down Principle #5: “Model the Behavior You Desire”
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 6: “The Extra Plus in Leadership: Attitude” and Chapter 9: “The Price Tag of Leadership: Self-Discipline”
- Your Road Map for Success – Chapter 1: “The Journey Is More Fun if You Know Where You’re Going” and Chapter 2: “How Far Can I Go?”
14. THE LAW OF BUY-IN: People Buy into the Leader, Then the Vision
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 8: “The Indispensable Quality of Leadership: Vision”
- Your Road Map for Success – Chapter 3: “How Do I Get There from Here?”
- 25 Ways to Win with People
- Winning with People
15. THE LAW OF VICTORY: Leaders Find a Way for the Team to Win
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Up Principle #8: “Become a Go-To Player”
- Thinking for a Change – Skill 1: “Acquire the Wisdom of Big-Picture Thinking” and Skill 3: “Discover the Joy of Creative Thinking”
- The Difference Maker
16. THE LAW OF THE BIG MO: Momentum Is a Leader’s Best Friend
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 4: “The Ultimate Test of Leadership: Creating Positive Change”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Up Principle #4: “Do More Than Manage-Lead!” and Lead-Up Principle #8: “Become a Go-To Player”
17. THE LAW OF PRIORITIES: Leaders Understand That Activity Is Not Necessarily Accomplishment
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 2: “The Key to Leadership: Priorities”
- Today Matters – Chapter 4: “Today’s Priorities Give Me Focus”
- Thinking for a Change – Chapter 5: “Unleash the Potential of Focused Thinking”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Up Principle #1: “Lead Yourself Exceptionally Well”
18. THE LAW OF SACRIFICE: A Leader Must Give Up to Go Up
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 3: “The Most Important Ingredient of Leadership: Integrity”
- Your Road Map for Success – Chapter 7: “Are We There Yet?”
- Today Matters – Chapter 8: “Today’s Commitment Gives Me Tenacity”
- Ethics 101 – Chapter 5: “Five Factors That Can `Tarnish’ the Golden Rule”
19. THE LAW OF TIMING: When to Lead Is As Important As What to Do and Where to Go
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Up Principle #6: “Be Prepared Every Time You Take Your Leader’s Time” and Lead-Up Principle #7: “Know When to Push and When to Back Off”
- Thinking for a Change – Chapter 3: “Master the Process of Intentional Thinking” and Skill 10: “Embrace the Lessons of Reflective Thinking”
20. THE LAW OF EXPLOSIVE GROWTH: To Add Growth, Lead Followers-To Multiply, Lead Leaders
- Developing the Leader Within You – Chapter 10: “The Most Important Lesson of Leadership: Staff Development”
- Developing the Leaders Around You
- Your Road Map for Success – Chapter 10: “What Should We Do Along the Way?”
- Becoming a Person of Influence – Chapter 10: “Reproduces Other Influencers”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Down Principle #3: “Develop Each Team Member as a Person”; Special Section: “Create an Environment That Unleashes 360-Degree Leaders”; Section VI: “The Value of 360-Degree Leaders”
21. THE LAW OF LEGACY: A Leader’s Lasting Value Is Measured by Succession
- The Journey from Success to Significance
- Becoming a Person of Influence – Chapter 6: “Enlarges People”
- The 360-Degree Leader – Lead-Down Principle #6: “Transfer the Vision”
- Dare to Dream … Then Do It
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