The 21 Irrefutable Law of Leadership

Synopsis

HarperCollins and John C. Maxwell are celebrating the milestone anniversary of Maxwell's New York Times bestselling book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, with the publication of a revised and updated 25th anniversary edition. Included are insights from Maxwell on each law and how they have impacted his life as a leader and mentor. There will also be stories from some of today's most impactful leaders, like entrepreneur and cofounder of IT Cosmetics Jamie Kern Lima, Maxwell Leadership CEO Mark Cole, and author and marketing expert Jeff Henderson, on how they have applied these laws to their own success journeys. Maxwell has gone through every word of this book and updated it for the next generation of leaders. He has added new insights to these timeless laws and included lessons learned since he originally wrote the book 25 years ago. And he has included some exciting new stories that apply the laws to today's business world. What Maxwell didn't change are the powerful leadership truths that have been helping people become better leaders for the last quarter century. This is still the best book on leadership people can buy, whether they want to learn leadership on their own, develop as leaders in a group, or teach leadership to others as a mentor.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Law of the Lid: Leadership Ability Determines a Person's Level of Effectiveness

Summary:
Leadership is not about position or authority; it's about ability. Leaders reach their level of incompetence, creating a ceiling for their influence and productivity.

Example:
A manager consistently fails to motivate his team, leading to low morale and missed deadlines. This manager has reached his leadership lid and cannot effectively guide the team to higher levels.

Chapter 2: The Law of Influence: The True Measure of Leadership is Influence - Nothing More, Nothing Less

Summary:
Leadership is about influencing others to achieve a common goal. Leaders who can inspire and motivate their followers have the greatest influence and achieve the best results.

Example:
A charismatic politician rallies supporters with powerful speeches, galvanizing them to support her policies and elect her to office.

Chapter 3: The Law of Process: Leadership Is Not for the Fainthearted; It's for the Persistent

Summary:
Leadership is a continuous process of learning, growing, and applying principles. It requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to face challenges.

Example:
A CEO tirelessly works 12-hour days, attends industry conferences, and mentors young leaders to continuously improve her leadership skills and drive her company forward.

Chapter 4: The Law of Navigation: Anyone Can Steer a Ship, but It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course

Summary:
Leaders must have a clear vision and direction for their team. They set the course, navigate obstacles, and anticipate future challenges.

Example:
An entrepreneur develops a revolutionary new product and leads his team through countless iterations to bring it to market, creating a new industry and transforming the landscape.

Chapter 5: The Law of Addition: Leaders Add Value by Developing Others

Summary:
True leaders focus on developing the potential of their followers. They invest in training, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.

Example:
A seasoned manager takes time to mentor junior employees, providing guidance, support, and challenging assignments to help them become future leaders.