21 – It’s More Than A Card Game
Written: Oct 06 '05 (Updated Oct 06 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A snapshot of how to become a leader that others will follow.
Cons: The treatment of some qualities seemed somewhat superficial. But this is a very minor con.
The Bottom Line: Maxwell’s rationale is captured in his introduction on page ix, “. . . to help you recognize, develop, and refine the personal characteristics needed to be a truly effective leader.”
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| gungian's Full Review: John C. Maxwell - The 21 Indispensable Qualities o... |
Maxwell makes a compelling case for qualities as the cornerstone of leadership. He opines that being a successful leader usually involves becoming ". . . the kind people want to follow."
These 156 [5" x 7"]pages of text provide a cursory introduction to the 21 qualities that Maxwell deems "indispensable". His list includes; Character, Charisma, Commitment, Communication, Competence, Courage, Discernment, Focus, Generosity, Initiative, Listening, Passion, Positive Attitude, Problem Solving, Relationships, Responsibility, Security, Self-Discipline, Servanthood, Teachability, and Vision. If you accept that a quality is "a distinctive attribute or faculty" (The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus, p. 649), then I have little to quibble with his list.
The author starts off the discussion of each "quality" with a little vignette that illustrates that quality in action. He then follows up with sub-sections for each entitled "Fleshing It Out", "Reflecting On It", "Bringing It Home", and "Daily Take-Away".
Let's use Character as an example. Here the author seems to place Character and Compromise on opposite ends of a continuum. Maxwell claims that each time a leader ". . . chooses character, he becomes stronger, even if that choice brings negative consequences." (p.4)
"Fleshing It Out" discusses Character as a choice that is more than talk. He goes on to discuss how Character can lead to lasting success and even how effective leaders can rise above the limitations of their Character.
"Reflecting On It" details how leaders who lack Character are likely to succumb to the four A's (arrogance, aloneness, adventure-seeking, or adultery). Maxwell points out that it is not enough to stay above the line between right and wrong. One must also avoid those "gray areas" that inhabit the hinterland.
"Bringing It Home" lists four approaches that a leader can use to improve her/his Character.
"Daily Take-Away" finishes up with a summation in the form of a quick sound bite.
The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, like many of Maxwell's publications, is a fairly easy read. He packs a lot of information into a relatively compact package. Maxwell recommends that you take a more resource intensive three-step approach involving 21 days, then 21 weeks, and then 21 months. For my money, you will likely realize a big payback for your modest investment in reading time. As for that more time consuming 3-step investment, you'll have to make that call yourself.
John C. Maxwell is a well-respected in the field of leadership. Some of his other recent publications on the subject include: Thinking for a Change (2003); Maxwell 3-in-1 Special Edition (2000); and The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (1998).
The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader
Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow
John C. Maxwell
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nashville
Hardback 1999
ISBN 0-7852-7440-5
© Gungian 2005
Recommended:
Yes
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