Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leading Hardcover – March 30, 2008

Maxwell (the bestselling The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership) shares 26 nuggets of wisdom based on his nearly 40 years of leadership. A practical guide, complete with exercises and “mentoring moments,” this collection offers a blend of advice, professional wisdom and personal recollection. Each chapter provides insight into a specific aspect of effective management. Some, such as “The Best Leaders Are Listeners” and “Keep Learning to Keep Leading,” are hardly groundbreaking, but others such as “Don’t Send Your Ducks to Eagle School” (a phrase borrowed from Jim Rohn) and “For Everything You Gain, You Give Up Something” provide perspective into less-explored facets of successful leadership. Maxwell also covers some of the more challenging aspects of his topic: defining personal success, guarding against unrealistic thinking and determining why people quit. Throughout, Maxwell includes call-out quotes from well-known leaders such as Jack Welch and Frances Hesselbein as well as from surprising voices like J.K. Rowling and Joyce Brothers. A solid addition to a crowded field, this book will be of value to seasoned leaders as well as those just starting out. (Apr.)
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Depending on individual calendars, there’s a leadership lesson to be learned every seven days—or biweekly. Based on the recommendations of Maxwell—consultant, trainer, speaker, author (The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, 1998, is his most recent best-seller)—each chapter contains enough information to ponder its implications solo or in concert with team members. The 26 chapter headings, as to be expected, are provocative and thought-inducing, supported by application exercises (usually, in question form) and “mentoring moments,” suggestions for using this in groups. Just ruminate on these statements: “Never work a day in your life.” “You get answers only to the questions you ask.” “Keep learning to keep leading.” “People quit people, not companies.” Almost every heading can be buttressed by recent research, news, even books; as one example, there’s no secret about employees’ major reason to change jobs: their immediate manager. Enjoy, and consider, this collection of lessons. –Barbara Jacobs