Throughout my Basic Leadership School (BLS), which is made up of my internship and staffing two schools, I am required to write four book reports, two of which are chosen for me and two others simply must be on leadership. This is the report I just handed in hope you enjoy.
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell has allowed me to evaluate my values, attributes and rather importantly my weaknesses. It has been good to compare and contrast the way I lead to the methods others have used throughout history. Maxwell highlights many key aspects of what it takes to be a leader by craftily taking the reader through twenty one laws by which successful leaders have prospered in the past. He reinforces every law with many quotes as well as by referring to several events in America’s modern history to weave his points together. These laws range from such things as “The Law of Navigation” to “The Law of Buy-in” each embedded with useful wisdom that any leader could use.
For rather obvious reasons, I have placed my outreach team at the forefront of my mind when contemplating what I’ve been learning throughout this book. In doing this I’ve put much thought into how I would like to see myself lead my team. The meaning of the statement, “Leadership is more art than science.” p 88 has truly become a reality to me, and I love it! In science you need variables, equations, and solutions where as art you need tact, creativity, and flexibility which to me sound much more enjoyable! So thank God for that.
Maxwell’s words, “When you prepare well, you convey confidence and trust to the people.” p 42 have inspired me to persist in good preparation, because I do wish for my team to trust my decisions and not just follow me because they’re told to. “Being in power is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t. – Margaret Thatcher” p 45 Well, I’m not a lady and I don’t claim to be one so I guess I got that going for me, but what I do know is I don’t expect my team to trust me as their leader without gaining their confidence first. I have confidence that they will submit faithfully till I can do so, yet I aspire to not keep them waiting. Thus I’ve decided the best thing I can do for now, as well as for the better part of the trip, is simply give that authority away. “Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away.” p 128 It takes true authority to accept a follower can do a job better than you, yet still do it for you. These are the cards I have been dealt.
Potential and gifting is ripe in each individual on my team. My hope is to exhort each of my team members to build upon these fortes that they might grow to their fullest potential. This is what I believe Maxwell meant by his analogy referred to as an eagle environment, “An eagle environment is one where the leader casts a vision, offers incentives, encourages creativity, allows risks, and provides accountability.” p 140 I have established a trust on this team where one is encouraged to thrive in their responsibilities. In doing so the weight of their duties are lifted from my shoulders and entrusted to their hands. In doing this there is risk, yet what greater risk there would be in expecting myself to accomplish what my entire team can together. This idea of an “eagle environment” helps me put words to what I’d like to see happen on outreach.
The idea that somewhere in a missionary’s life he might turn to his followers and cry “Wrong Jungle!” had never really hit me until I heard this statement. “A leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation and yells, ‘Wrong jungle!’ – Stephen Covey” p 175 How true that is though! We’ve all seen it, mid little league game; one kid always winds up shooting on his own goal, roaring with excitement, knowing no better. The hope in this statement is that as that kid grows older he will hopefully have the wits about him to realize in the moment that he’s running in the wrong direction before ever shooting. How often do we simply need to stop running, observe what’s going on around us mid-madness and have the humility to accept we might be going the wrong way? My prayer is that I may never be in the “wrong jungle” yet be absent of pride the moment I am.
Many of John Maxwell’s “Irrefutable Laws” I didn’t see much as laws but more as observations. Most of which are only clearly visible as time goes by and rather difficult to apply to strategies in play. Although I will say, the “Laws” do help identify repetitive failures in one’s leadership; thus such information might help prevent future mistakes and strengthen ones leadership abilities. I have taken to heart many of the quotes I have gotten from this book and for that it has been absolutely worth it. It’s a rather easy read as well which is not to stimulating at times but good for younger readers. Here are a few other random quotes I enjoyed and didn’t find a way to slip in this report.
“Anytime you know that the step is right, don’t hesitate to make a sacrifice.” p 189
“To build trust, a leader must exemplify competence, connection, and character.” p 58
“The truth is that nearly anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.” p 36
“Champions don’t become champions in the ring – they are merely recognized there.” p 28
“He who thinks he leads but has no followers, is only taking a walk.” p 20
