The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Book Review

In this easy to read book, John Maxwell takes us beyond the 'what to do' and shows us the 'how' of leadership; all based on his and other real life personalities' experiences in success and failures.

These 21 laws of leadership are, indeed, irrefutable.

As in most of his books that I have read, Maxwell describes LEADERSHIP as INFLUENCE that cannot be mandated but must be earned - nothing more, nothing less. This form of purest leadership can normally be found in voluntary organisations where leaders have only their influence to aid them. Nothing comes close to this truth. This Law of INFLUENCE should have been the 1st Law. Surprisingly, it isn't.

In the Law of the LID, Maxwell suggested that leaders who wish to reach the highest level of effectiveness have to raise the lid (raise the bar), one way or another. He related this law to the early days of the McDonalds, who were happy to earn just $100,000 until Ray Kroc came along and took the company to new heights. The rest was history, as they say. Leadership ability - or more specifically the lack of leadership - was the lid on the McDonalds brothers' effectiveness.

Maxwell is clearly a strong advocate of RELATIONSHIPS. Since relationships involve people; those who are able to connect on both levels with individuals and with an audience are said to have understood the nature of the Law of CONNECTION, i.e. always touch a person's heart before you ask for his hand. He aptly ended this chapter with an old saying: To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart.

In 1911, two groups of explorers set off on a mission to be the first to reach the South Pole. Amundsen's group survived because he painstakingly planned and charted his course. The other group led by Scott violated the Law of NAVIGATION and perished. First rate leaders are like navigators and they always have in mind that other people are depending on them and their ability to chart a good course.

A leader is often described as visionary. Maxwell, however, warns that if he has not built his credibility with his people, it really doesn't matter how great a vision he has. People just don't always follow worthy causes. They follow worthy leaders who promote worthy causes. People buy into the leader first, then the leader's vision. Remember Gandhi and how India gained its independence? That's how the Law of BUY-IN works.

Now, how do you identify and know who is a leader in a group? He doesn't need to advertise himself. The proof of his leadership can be found in the followers because whenever he speaks, everybody listens. Maxwell calls this the Law of E.F. HUTTON. When the real leader speaks, people listen.

The above are just six of the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership that I can relate to. If you are in any leadership or managerial position or if you are looking to improving your leadership skills, I would strongly recommend that you head for the nearest book store to grab your personal copy of this great book to read up the other laws. It retails for only RM24.90. A value buy.