Book Summary Preview : The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

The Big Idea

Principles are laws that apply across different cultures, generations, and circumstances. John Maxwell, drawing lessons from his own experiences as well as those of other leaders’, has discovered 21 principles for leadership.

In each chapter of the book, Maxwell describes each law as a tool that can help people succeed in business, church, sports, and personal endeavors. Anyone in any position, in any field, and in any culture, can learn and practice these laws to become a successful leader. The learning is made richer by real life illustrations that show how the laws are practiced or violated.



The Law of the Lid:  Leadership Ability Determines a Person’s Level of Effectiveness

Points of the Principle
The Lid represents the limit of our leadership abilities. Hard work, efficient management, and knowledge can only bring us so far. If the lid of one’s leadership is low, then the potential for success is also low.  The key, then, is not just to work hard on achieving success but to work hard on raising one’s level of leadership. The results: multiplied increase in effectiveness and higher potential for success for the leader as well as the organization.

Leaders Who Lived Out the Law
Before Ray Kroc bought the rights to Mc Donald’s franchises, it was a profitable enterprise efficiently managed by Dick and Maurice McDonald.  The McDonald brothers worked hard and were geniuses in customer service and kitchen organization, but they were not leaders. Thus they failed to grow the franchise business. Kroc built up a team of leaders, made personal sacrifices, and successfully grew the Mc Donald’s franchise business into the global restaurant chain that it is now.

Steve Jobs of Apple Computer is another individual who had a high level of leadership and was able to bring himself and his organization to a high level of success.

Pointers for Practice
When a company, a sports team, a church, or even a country is in a state of trouble, check the leadership. Chances are the leadership lid of its leader is low. 

 The Law of Influence: The True Measure of Leadership is Influence– Nothing More, Nothing Less

 Points of the Principle
John Maxwell’s favorite leadership proverb is, “He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk.”  Leadership is influence; without influence one cannot lead.

Leaders Who Lived Out the Law
Princess Diana and Mother Teresa are two of the most influential persons who ever lived. Both had the ability to make things happen and to make the world take notice. Princess Diana started out simply as a spokesperson for fund-raising, but she grew to become more influential even after losing her title as wife of Prince Charles. By her influence, she drew the world’s attention to issues such as AIDS research and the banning of landmines.  

Other influential leaders are Maurice Saatchi, former CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi; Lee Lacocca, former CEO and Chairman of Chrysler; and Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, the largest church in North America.

Five Myths About Leadership:

• The Management Myth. Management can maintain direction. Influential leadership is what changes the direction of an organization toward positive change.
• The Entrepreneur Myth. People may be buying what somebody is selling, but they are not necessarily buying into his leadership or vision.
• The Knowledge Myth. Mental superiority does not necessarily equate to leadership.
• The Pioneer Myth. The one in front is not necessarily the leader. The leader is the one with the vision that people want to follow.
• The Position Myth. Maxwell quotes Stanley Huffty, “It’s not the position that makes the leader; it’s the leader that makes the position.”

The Law of Process– Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day

Points of the Principle
In the same way that we invest in the stock market, we should also invest in the process of becoming a leader. No one becomes a leader overnight. Even when someone is gifted with natural abilities, one still has to build one’s collection of leadership skills. There are many facets to leadership, among which are respect, experience, discipline, and vision. To be an effective leader, one must develop these facets.  Doing so takes time.

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