John C. Maxwell’s The Leadership Handbook: 26 Critical Lessons
Every Leader Needs is just what the title promises it to be.
Maxwell tells readers that he has
taken many ideas from his other books (and some new ideas) and compiled them
into this handbook. He recommends that this book be read thoroughly and
intentionally used as a handbook for people who are actively leading others.
Each chapter is a lesson, and each chapter ends with “Application Exercises”
which are intended for the reader to apply the lesson from the chapter.
Following that there is a “Mentor Moment” which concludes each chapter. These
give tips on how to share the lesson with those the reader is leading.
I haven’t read any of John C.
Maxwell’s other books, but now I think I’d like to. I was not the target
audience for this book, but I can definitely see how spending Maxwell’s
recommended week with each chapter would be beneficial if I were the target
audience. While at times a lot of what was written seemed to be common sense,
Maxwell brought a new light to some issues. One lesson that will stick with me
is the title of Chapter 9: “To See How the Leader is Doing, Look at the People.”
Maxwell also gives the glory to God, which I appreciate, and on page 33 he
makes a comical reference to Moses’ leadership situation. Also, Maxwell
includes tips from other experts: I found his list of “Six Rules for Successful
Leadership” by Jack Welch (page 67) to be particularly telling.
I recommend this book to others. If
used intentionally, this book could make a difference.
The
publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through
BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.
