The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader – by John C.Maxwell

John C. Maxwell has studied the character and actions of the great leaders throughout history,looking for similarities. In this book, he outlines the twenty-one key qualities common to these great leaders. These attitudes and disciplines, some natural, some cultivated, equip the leader with the ability to make successful choices.

 The book is rich with stories and quotes from successful political, military, business and sports leaders. Each chapter covers one of the 21 key qualities; this review will highlight a few of them.

In all, Maxwell explains twenty-one essential qualities of effective leaders. The reader who spends time with this book, applying the principles to his own situation and practices the disciplines will be rewarded with improved awareness and effectiveness as a leader.

Outline of The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader:- 

1. Character – Be a Piece of the Rock 

• More than talk
• Character is a choice
• Brings lasting success with people
• Leaders cannot rise above the level of their character

2. Charisma – The First Impression can Seal the DealBe a Lover of Life
Put a “10″ on Everyone’s Forehead
3. Commitment – It Separates Doers from Dreamers
Commitment starts in the heart
It is tested by action
It opens doors to achievement

4. Communication – Without it, You Travel Alone
See the person
Show the truth
Seek a response
Simplify your message

5. Competence – If You Build it, They Will Come
Keep improving
Follow through with excellence
Accomplish more than expected
Inspire others
Show up every day

6. Courage – One Person with Courage is a Majority
Courage begins with an inward battle
Courage is making things right, not just smoothing them over
Courage in a leader inspires commitment from followers
Your life expands in proportion to your courage

7. Discernment – Put an End to Unsolved Mysteries
Discover the root issues
Enhance your problem solving
Evaluate your options for maximum impact
Multiply your opportunities

8. Focus – The Sharper it is, The Sharper You Is
Focus 25% on new things
Focus 5% on your weaknesses (delegate)
Shift to your strengths and staff your weaknesses
Focus 70% on your strengths

9. Generosity – Your Candle Loses Nothing when it Lights Another
Be grateful for whatever you have
Put people first
Don’t allow your desire for possessions to control you
Regard money as a resource
Develop a habit of giving

10. Initiative – You won’t Leave Home without it
Push yourself to act
Take more risks
Make more mistakes
Know what you want

11. Listening – To Connect with their Hearts, Use your Ears

 
Listen to your followers
Listen to your customers
Listen to your competitors
Listen to your mentors
12. Passion – Take this Life and Love it

Passion is the first step to achievement
Passion increases your willpower
Passion changes you
Passion makes the impossible possible

13. Positive Attitude – If you Believe you Can, you Can
Your attitude is a choice
Your attitude determines your actions
Your people are a mirror of your attitude
Maintaining a good attitude is easier than regaining

14. Problem Solving – You can’t let your Problems Be a Problem
Accept the truth
See the big picture
Handle one thing at a time
Don’t give up a major goal when in the valleys
Anticipate problems

15. Relationships – If you Get Along, They’ll Go Along
Understand people
Love people
Help people

16. Responsibility – If you won’t Carry the Ball, you can’t Lead the Team
Get the job done
Go the extra mile
Be driven by excellence
Produce, regardless of the situation

17. Security – Competence Never Compensates for Insecurity
Insecure leaders don’t provide security for others
Insecure leaders take more from people than they give
Insecure leaders continually limit their best people
Insecure leaders continually limit the organization

18. Self-Discipline – The First Person you Lead is Yourself
Make a disciplined lifestyle your goal
Challenge your excuses
Delay rewards until the job is done
Stay focused on results
Develop and follow your priorities

19. Servanthood – To Get Ahead, Put Others First
Put others ahead of your own agenda
Possess the confidence to serve
Initiate service to others
Do not be “position-conscious”
Serve out of love

20. Teachability – To Keep Leading, Keep Learning
Overcome your success
Swear off shortcuts
Trade in your pride
Never pay twice for the same mistake
Cure the “destination disease” (arriving and not growing)

21. Vision – You can Seize only what you can See
Vision starts within
Vision draws on your history
Vision meets others’ needs
Vision helps you gather resources.

Give people hope
Share yourself