BOOK REVIEW - THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP

A leader relentlessly pursues personal growth and development; hunting down growth opportunities in whatever form they take. “I believe that we cannot live better than seeking to become still better than we are” (Socrates). Just as an athlete wins the race before it even starts, so a leader knows that personal preparation is crucial for success. Through the “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”, John Maxwell provides the leader with a very comprehensive list of key leadership traits: benchmark qualities of an effective leader.

Maxwell aptly begins with the two key laws: “The Law of the Lid” and ‘The Law of Influence’. Maxwell threads these two laws throughout his book, tying them into his critical reflections on leadership case studies.

The crucial role of the leader           

The Law of the Lid’ emphasizes the leader’s crucial role in determining the capacity of the team. The weight of the leader’s responsibility is emphasized by ‘The Law of the Lid’. Maxwell defines leadership as influence.  Influence could be defined on two levels: strategic influence and as personal influence. Strategic influence is winning people’s willing buy-in and co-ownership of a vision or a course of action. Personal influence is at a deeper level, of inculcating a shift in mind-set, values or belief. What we learn from Maxwell is that the former requires the latter.

Influence         

Personal influence requires you to first lead yourself. As Socrates said, “Let him that would move the world, first move himself”. This is the core focus of ‘The Law of Process’ and ‘The Law of Priorities’. The apt use of the word ‘process’ denotes a continual cycle of growth and improvement as the leader sharpens his greatest tool, himself. Maxwell recognises the high level of stamina and fortitude required to constantly push the envelope of self-development at both a skill-set level and a deeper mind-set level. This is the core focus of ‘The Law of Sacrifice’. This sacrifice begs the question: why choose to lead. A leader is motivated by an altruistic desire to make a positive difference. And ultimately to leave a legacy (The Law of Legacy).

Personal influence, by implication, requires the leader to touch people at a deeper level. The leader connects and relates to individuals in the team by caring for them and authentically investing in them. This is the core focus of ‘The Law of Addition’ and ‘The Law of Connection’. The strategic investment in people is at the heart of ‘The Law of Empowerment’. Connecting with key team members strategically is the central tenant of ‘The Law of the Inner Circle’.

Leaders lead people      

When a leader effectively blends self-leadership with connecting with people, team members have a greater respect for the leader (The Law of Respect) and a greater willingness to follow the leader (The Law of Magnetism). Higher trust emerges under these conditions (The Law of Solid Ground). Following ‘The Law of the Inner Circle’ accelerates trust, and when that inner circle successfully incorporates the right leaders, ‘The Law of Explosive Growth’ is the result. The ground is fertile for strategic influence.

Strategic influence        

Strategic influence is the art of directing a team to missional success. The leader needs to be adept at plotting the direction of the team (The Law of Navigation). A worthwhile vision, shared at the right time, has the power to mobilize a team (‘The Law of the Picture’, ‘The Law of Timing’ and ‘The Law of Buy-in’). Getting this right means having a firm grasp of the current reality (The Law of Intuition). This process can be fueled by capitalizing on a team’s momentum and success-rate (‘The Law of Big Mo’ and ‘The Law of the Victory’).

The journey      

​The power of Maxwell’s book lies in the application sections linked to each chapter. These activities compel the reader to assimilate the respective laws. The leadership assessment at the end of the book is a great tool to assess your leadership ability – remembering ‘The Law of Process’: leadership development is a journey.

In ‘The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership’, Maxwell successfully lays out the core aspects of leadership. The responsibility of the leader is emphasised, the tables are turned away from the ‘errant sub-ordinate’, the ball is in the leader’s court. The leader is called to own that responsibility. The challenge is clear – step up and lead.

Now, more than ever, leaders need to step up and lead. Now more than ever, the consequences of poor leadership are catastrophic. Businesses, organisations, institutions, schools and churches are either going to emerge victorious or critically damaged. That outcome will be determined by how effectively the leader employs Maxwell’s ’21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership’.

Title: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – follow them and people will follow you

Author: John C. Maxwell                                                    

Publisher: Nelson Books, 2007

ISBN: 978-0-7852-8935-7